Prasat Hin Phimai

Phimai Historical Park is in Phimai District and is one of the greatest and most important Khmer historical sites in Thailand. The word Phimai appears in an inscription on a stone slab at the front doorway of the building as well as in many other structures. It is believed that the word Phimai meant a religious figure or site. Phimai sanctuary is in the shape of a rectangle and is 565 metres wide and 1,030 metres long. It consists of structures made of sandstone and laterite, all ornately carved with designs. The most special characteristic of the sanctuary is that it is the only one that faces south while others usually face east. This is probably because it was built to face the route that the Khmers made from the capital of the empire, to the south of Phimai. From stone inscriptions and the style of architecture, Phimai sanctuary was most likely built at the end of the 11th century AD during the reign of King Suriyaworaman I. The architectural style is Baphuon that prospered at the time. Some characteristics are similar to the Angkor Wat style, which became popular at a later period. The site had some additions in the early 13th century AD in the reign of King Chaiworaman VII when Phimai had close relations with the Khmer Empire. The sanctuary was always a religious site of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism because King Suriyaworaman I and King Chaiworaman VII were followers of the sect. [Source: TAT]

Ayutthaya Historical Research