Thread: Phanom Rung historical Park December 2014

Enjoying the monument were a group of American Monks on tour.

Pics for back home.

It's an impressive place. I visited last month too. It is very Cambodian and must have moved into Thailand during some ancient border battle.

They had a nice day.

That's about it. Impossible to photograph this place with my point and shoot but you get the Idea. Very impressive place in person. If you ever get the chance go see it.Cheers.

Originally Posted by terry57

At the rear they have wheel chair access. Very good to see this.

Thanks for that Terry. Been to the site 4 times and never found that access.

Thanks, Ter....

Very significant and of historical importance to the region.
.....Khmer, not Thai.

Personally, restoration of such timed, impressive structures takes the charm away from them. Might as well bleach and straighten its teeth, wrap it in plastic and stick a Disney sticker on it.

Much better, un-renovated delights to be found in that region (Southern Esaan, stretching along the Cambodian border). No freshly manicured lawns. Much less tourists. Always a bonus.

Tourists will, of course, be blinded by the gleaming enamel. Good for them, ignorance is bliss.

Great thread, Terry. I enjoy visiting sites like these.

Originally Posted by Luigi

Personally, restoration of such timed, impressive structures takes the charm away from them. Might as well bleach and straighten its teeth, wrap it in plastic and stick a Disney sticker on it.

Much better, un-renovated delights to be found in that region (Southern Esaan, stretching along the Cambodian border). No freshly manicured lawns. Much less tourists. Always a bonus.

Tourists will, of course, be blinded by the gleaming enamel. Good for them, ignorance is bliss.

Your cynical comments can be noted and even appreciated, only in part.

Yet, one needs to know the history of broad restoration projects throughout the country from the origins of such revival projects under Chulalongkorn and even spurred on more so under his son, King Vajiravudh where the restoration was cause for a cultural heritage remembrance, less the gaudy over crowded tourist destination - today, the mindset and reasoning to maintain these great ancient structures is purely profitable - little else.

Originally Posted by Luigi

Tourists will, of course, be blinded by the gleaming enamel. Good for them, ignorance is bliss.

I love it when a fool comes on board with such a biased view.

Considering that the vast amount of people visiting this Monument that day were Thais the above observation is completely wrong.

This monument is far removed from the tourist route and quite an effort to get to.

On the day I was there I was approximately one of three farang.

been twice and really loved it ( both times i was on my way to Cambodia)
Never saw any other westerners there.

Next time drop down into Cambodia an take the dirt road to Bantaey Chhmer
only about 2 hours south of Surin

see it BEFORE its restored :-)

Originally Posted by terry57

Originally Posted by Luigi

Tourists will, of course, be blinded by the gleaming enamel. Good for them, ignorance is bliss.

I love it when a fool comes on board with such a biased view.

Considering that the vast amount of people visiting this Monument that day were Thais the above observation is completely wrong.

This monument is far removed from the tourist route and quite an effort to get to.

On the day I was there I was approximately one of three farang.

Er yes, Thai tourists. Taking selfies. The same as they would do in Disneyland.

As an aside; Phanom Rung received 10,000 tourists per week during 2014.

Anyway, the region is great for adventuring and finding ancient temples. Use your GPS next time you're on holiday here, set it to pick up historical monuments in the settings, you'll end up in little fields in the middle of nowhere with a great, over grown ancient temple all to your self, numerous times, and continue to do so right across the region.

Great job Terry!

I had a Korat girlfriend talk me into renting a van for a family trip to Phimai and Phannumrung for a day trip. I personally thought Phimai was boring, but the 'rung was absolutely spectacular.

There was another farang with me and we were the only white faces there, though Phimai had buses pulling up full of tourists.

^

Yep,

I thought it was absolutely brilliant.

To see a kymer monument in all its glory was something special.

Also to be able to see it void of mass tourism was something Special as well.

Can't do that At Angkor Wat.

Originally Posted by terry57

I have seen many Khmer Monuments within Thailand and Cambodia but I have never seen one so completely restored as Phanom Rung. Hence why I am doing a new thread on it and not including it in my North East tour thread. I was fascinated by this monument, it took the Thais 17 years to complete the restoration and what a job they have done. Anyone who has been here and has any interest at all in these monuments must be blown away. It sits on the summit of a spent volcano with views over into Cambodia.

Just for fun for my 65th birthday I rode right from bottom to the car park at the top ,I was quite fit then cos on average my Geordie mate and I used to ride 250 kms a week on our Mountain bikes

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Originally Posted by terry57

I have seen many Khmer Monuments within Thailand and Cambodia but I have never seen one so completely restored as Phanom Rung. Hence why I am doing a new thread on it and not including it in my North East tour thread. I was fascinated by this monument, it took the Thais 17 years to complete the restoration and what a job they have done. Anyone who has been here and has any interest at all in these monuments must be blown away. It sits on the summit of a spent volcano with views over into Cambodia.

Just for fun for my 65th birthday I rode right from bottom to the car park at the top ,I was quite fit then cos on average my Geordie mate and I used to ride 250 kms a week on our Mountain bikes

I forgot to add I only live about 12 kms from Phanom rung .

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Just for fun for my 65th birthday I rode right from bottom to the car park at the top ,I was quite fit then cos on average my Geordie mate and I used to ride 250 kms a week on our Mountain bikes

Jesus, that's mad. I was exhausted from just driving up that mountain.

Did you still have to pay the Entrance fee. ?

Originally Posted by terry57

Originally Posted by piwanoi

Just for fun for my 65th birthday I rode right from bottom to the car park at the top ,I was quite fit then cos on average my Geordie mate and I used to ride 250 kms a week on our Mountain bikes

Jesus, that's mad. I was exhausted from just driving up that mountain.

Did you still have to pay the Entrance fee. ?

Nah Did not go in cos living quite near I used to take people there in my Car ,and any way there was a mate of ours to pick us up in his pickup ,and back to Back to Ban Kruat for a birthday piss up, I had a bad cough for a couple of days after cos when I got to the top it felt as if my lungs was on fire ,I suppose there's a medical term for it ,maybe some one out there knows what it is ,(wise cracks allowed)

Nobody's mentioned Prasat Muang Tam, which lies only 7km away.

Much of the tourists don't even know of it's existence, and is a much nicer option when PR is experiencing some of its 1,500 tourists a day.

It's hasn't escaped Google Earth's walking options, and you can take a virtual tour.