TH · Nakhon Ratchasima · 15.22°N 102.49°E
phimai historical park
Grand Khmer sandstone temple on the old road to Angkor, and older than Angkor Wat.
- Best time
- November to February is cooler and dry. The Phimai Festival, with longboat races on the river, is usually held around November.
- How long
- Half a day
- Getting there
- Fly from KL to Bangkok (about 2 hours), then about 3–4 hours by car or bus to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima). Phimai is about an hour north-east of Korat by car or local bus.
phimai historical park
Dear group chat,Grand Khmer sandstone temple on the old road to Angkor, and older than Angkor Wat.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPhimai Historical ParkTH, Nakhon Ratchasima
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข้อความบอกกล่าวด้วย) Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. · CC BY 4.0 Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: User:Billbeee · CC BY 2.5 Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข้อความบอกกล่าวด้วย) Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. · CC BY 4.0 Photo: Michael Gunther · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.
Prasat Phimai is the largest ancient Mahayana Buddhist temple in Thailand, sitting in the middle of a small, quiet town in Nakhon Ratchasima province. It was linked to Angkor by an old Khmer highway and faces towards it. The restored sandstone sanctuary is grand and easy to walk around in a morning.
Makan
- Phat mi PhimaiStir-fried rice noodles, the dish the town is best known for.Map ↗
Things to do
- Prasat PhimaiThe main sanctuary, with its tall central tower, carved lintels and long galleries.Map ↗
- Phimai National MuseumJust outside the park, with lintels and sculptures from temples around the region.Map ↗
- Sai NgamA huge old banyan tree near town that has spread into a whole shady grove.Map ↗
- A night in KoratStay in the city for its markets and noodles, then drive out early.Map ↗
Good to know
- There's little shade among the ruins. Go early or late in the afternoon, and bring water and a hat.
- Phanom Rung in Buriram is about 2 hours away by car, so you can see both Khmer temples in one trip.
Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.