Prasat and Prang in Isaan

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01-09-2006, 09:03 AM
buadhai

Prasat and Prang in Isaan

Isaan is chock full of ancient structures, some well known, some not; some in great repair, others completely ignored. Let's have a look at a few:

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This is an old Khmer Prang located a few miles northwest of Korat. No one ever visits because all of the English language maps have it in the wrong spot by about 10K. It took me several days to find it on my bicycle; none of the locals know where it is, either. Anyway, it's at Wat Prang and it's about to fall over.

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It has a nice lintel which will probable end up on the fireplace mantel of some rich guy in Chicago once the prang falls down.

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Everyone knows Prasat Hin Phimai, which is north of Korat on the main highway. This photo was taken from one of the old city gates which is rapidly falling into disrepair.

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This is Phanom Wan which is just a few K east of Korat. It is rarely visited because it is off the beaten path and not easy to find. Restoration work seems to have stopped for the moment. The site occupies a huge area.

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Prasat Non Ku is part of the ancient city complex of Sema and is about 30K west of Korat. Also rarely visited.
01-09-2006, 09:05 AM
buadhai

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Prasat Muang Khaek is also in the vicinity of the ancient city of Sema.

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Also nearby is Prasat Muang Kao.

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Muang Sema was a huge city with vast waterworks and canals that was occupied between the 7th and 13th centuries AD. Not much has been excavated here and nothing has been reconstructed.

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The ancient canals are still there and some are still in use.

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Wat Phra Non has, oddly enough, a large reclining Buddha. This is supposed to be the oldest large reclining Buddha in Thailand and dates from the 7th century AD.
01-09-2006, 09:08 AM
buadhai

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Wat Bang Phuan is about 25K south of Nong Khai and contains a variety of ancient structures. Above is a chedi from the 16th century AD.

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The ancient wihan is being restored.

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This old Buddha Image is in a 16th century Lao-style chedi at Wat Bang Phuan.

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Phra That Ya Por Kae, a 17th century prasat-style chedi on a small back road just south of Nong Khai.

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3000 year old rock carvings at Wat Phu Pa Yon, Sakon Nakhon.
01-09-2006, 09:12 AM
buadhai

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Wat Phra That Choeng Chum, Sakon Nakhon. Stupa is from the 10th century, AD.

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Wat Phra That Narai Jeng Weng, 11th century Khmer prang. Sakon Nakhon

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Reclining Vishnu at Wat Phra That Narai Jeng Weng

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Wat Maha That, Nakhon Phanom. 17th century

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Phra That Kong Khao Noi, Ban Taat, Yasothon. Ayuthaya period.
01-09-2006, 09:13 AM
buadhai

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Phanom Rung, Buriram

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Meuang Tam. Not far from Phanom Rung but less frequently visited. 10th century.

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Meuang Tam

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Meuang Tam

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Ta Meuan, Buriram. When the Khmer's expanded the Angkor empire into the Korat Plateau they built a number of hospitals and traveler's lodges on the way. Some have been reconstructed, some not....
01-09-2006, 09:15 AM
buadhai

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Ta Meuan Toht, Buriram

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Ta Meuan Thom, Buriram. Right on the border with Cambodia.

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Khao Phra Wihan, Cambodia. You walk across the border to this place that is geographically part of the Isaan Plateau.

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Khao Phra Wihan

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Cambodian flag at Khao Phra Wihan

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Ancient Buddha Images on cliff in Thailand near Khao Phra Wihan
01-09-2006, 09:16 AM
buadhai

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Cliff paintings from about 1000 BC at Pha Taem NP, Ubon.

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Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Noi, Si Saket

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Prasat Hin Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Si Saket

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Prasat Hin Wat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Si Saket

Thanks to Ms. B for her never-ending patience. How many times have we interrupted a journey to take some dusty detour to see yet-another pile of stones?

All these photos taken from this web site: Mike Newman's Slide Show
01-09-2006, 09:26 AM
Khleerm

Great pics!! Thank you for posting them. Yes, Prasat Muang Tam is a magnificent ruin. I was really glad I went to see it after visiting the Prasat Phanom Rung [which itself was spectacular]. If you make it all the way out there, you might as well go see both of them.

That chedi in Yasothon is quite unique, as is the structure in front of it. Do you have any other angles, or shots of them?
01-09-2006, 09:34 AM
buadhai

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khleerm

That chedi in Yasothon is quite unique, as is the structure in front of it. Do you have any other angles, or shots of them?

Sorry, that's the only one.

The story behind this chedi is something like this: A young man was working in the family rice fields every day. His mother would bring him lunch. One day the lunch was late and he berated her mercilessly. She died (suicide? despair?). He built the chedi to honor her memory and to assuage his guilt for being so selfish.
01-09-2006, 11:32 PM
Khleerm

Quote:

Originally Posted by buadhai

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khleerm

That chedi in Yasothon is quite unique, as is the structure in front of it. Do you have any other angles, or shots of them?

Sorry, that's the only one.

The story behind this chedi is something like this: A young man was working in the family rice fields every day. His mother would bring him lunch. One day the lunch was late and he berated her mercilessly. She died (suicide? despair?). He built the chedi to honor her memory and to assuage his guilt for being so selfish.

What an amazing story. Well he certainly built a beauty! If i were her spirit, I'd greet him arms open wide in the afterlife. :1st:
02-09-2006, 01:01 AM
Marmite the Dog

Can you slow down on these lovely threads as I can't give you enough greenies? Ta. :)
02-09-2006, 01:49 AM
Dougal

Once again, terrific pics Mike.
02-09-2006, 06:14 AM
buadhai

OK, folks. I'll take a travel photo break for a while. I do have a handful of other pics that I'll post later today....
05-09-2006, 09:26 AM
huahin

:) Fabulous pictures buadhia, great viewing. My wife and I did the Sukhothai tour last January 06 very similar ruins.
05-09-2006, 10:07 AM
buadhai

^
Thanks. Sukhothai is still on my list of places to see.

Where are you in Hua Hin?
05-09-2006, 11:57 AM
NickA

Good work, I may have some pics or videos of Phanom Rung - my wife's family life just down the road between Prachonchai and Prasat.

I may be going up that way next month so I'll have to try and visit some of these other places.

One question - where is that best hotel/resort to stay in the Phanom Rung area?
05-09-2006, 12:26 PM
Opus

Great pictures. It is also very nice you have provided a short explanation to make the experience better.
05-09-2006, 01:21 PM
buadhai

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickA

One question - where is that best hotel/resort to stay in the Phanom Rung area?

I'd just stay up in Surin. It's not that far and the hotel and dining choices are extensive.

The Farang Connection site lists some. I've stayed at the Majestic (very nice) and the Manerote (good).
07-09-2006, 10:45 AM
buadhai

Prasat Ban Phluang

Prasat Ban Phluang is located between Kap Cheong and Prasat on the road from Surin down to Cambodia. We visited on our way back from Immigration in Kap Cheong.

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It is a Hindu sanctuary that dates from the 11th -12th centuries.

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The lintel depicts the God Indra on his mount, the Airavata elephant.

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The detail of the carvings is quite good. I think this is Krishna.

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This is Krishna lifting the Govardhana Mountain.

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Here's a nice temple guard.
07-09-2006, 10:48 AM
buadhai

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The prasat is surrounded by a U-shaped pond. The top of the structure has not been reconstructed, nor have the walls or other structures that must have been in the prasat.

I got the feeling that this place is not much visited. This is a shame because the state and quality of the lintel and pediment carvings is quite good.