Phimai
Encyclopedia
Phimai is a township (thesaban tambon) in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province
in the northeast of Thailand
. The town is located at 15°13′N 102°30′E. As of 2005 the town has a population of 9,768. The town is the administrative center of the Phimai district
.
In the aftermath of the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom
in 1767, attempts were made to set up five separate states, with Prince Teppipit, a son of king Boromakot
, attempting to establish Phimai as one, holding sway over eastern provinces including Nakhon Ratchasima
. The weakest of the five, Prince Teppipit was the first defeated and was executed in 1768. Phimai had also been an important town at the time of the Khmer
. The temple Prasat Hin Phimai, located in the center of the town, was one of the major Khmer temples in ancient Thailand, connected with Angkor
by an ancient Khmer Highway
, and oriented so as to face Angkor as its cardinal direction. The site is now protected as the Phimai historical park
.
Phimai has recently been the base of operations for the excavation of Ban Non Wat
.
which was once a territory of Khmer
or what is modern day Cambodia
, Phimai’s Architecture and cultural decorations are heavily influenced by Khmer
cultures. Art and architecture shown on the temple itself shows a great evident of ancient Khmer civilization
in what is modern day Thailand
. Similar in its look and design to Angkor
, it also has the same function of worshiping the gods in the Hindu religion
.
See also Hinduism
.
Despite the fact that Phimai has been built in a similar fashion to Angkor
and other Khmer Buddhist temples, some religious structures located within Phimai’s walls are still being debated about its original religion. Evidence such as the sculpture of “the Wheel of Law” or the statue of Buddha that were built in Dvaravati style shows that Phimai was certainly an important Buddhist spiritual location. Though a large quantity of Buddhism
has been shown in Phimai, evidence such as large pots that were embedded in some corners of the structure suggests that number of spiritual practices other than the ones that Buddhists do has been practiced in Phimai. In other words Phimai has always been an important religious landmark for Animists, Buddhists
, and Hindu Cults
.
There has not been much evidence of how Phimai and other evidence of Khmer civilizations
in Thailand
came about. But even though there has not been any concrete evidence that explains everything, there have been pieces of evidence that archeologists have spent times concluding the history of these Khmer art
forms in Thailand
. The earliest engraved record of the Khmer during the 6th century AD was found in the north east of Thailand
such as in Surin where the Sanskrit
inscription in the stone has also been found. There were statues and engraved images of Hindu gods such as the image of Shiva’s bull nandin. Later the king during that time, Mahendravarman, ordered his men to engraved the inscription away. In modern day’s issue, it has still been debating about the unsure territory that the evidence may have been vanished.
Phimai along with other Khmer-influenced temples in Thailand
have been built mainly under the cause of the “Deveraja cult”, or in other words “King that resembles as god”. JayavarmanII was the most mentioned “devaraja”. Devaraja cult developed the belief of worshiping Shiva
and the principle that the king during the certain reign was an avartar of the god Shiva
. The kings under this principle will build temples to glorify the reign of himself along with the spread of Hinduism
.
The 10th century was the time of the reign of king Rajendravarman II (944-968AD)
which was also during the time that the Khmer
control was increasingly leaping towards the North Eastern Thai territory. Consequently, temples with the Kleang and Baphuon styles were left as a heritage here in Thailand
. These structures shared the same signature of having three brick towers on a single platform, for instance the Prasat Prang Ku in Sisaket province and Ban Phuluang in Surin
province.
Each individual buildings has its own special feature or function. For instance Prang Brahmadat was built of laterite blocks that form a square. Or Prang Hin Daeng which translate to “Red Stone Tower” which is also a square but was made of red sandstone. Or the main sanctuary built of white sandstone and has almost 32 meters in length. While the southern lintel has the statue of Buddha
meditating with “seven hoods of naga Muchalinda”. Adjacent to the statue were a collection statues of evils and animals that was depicted from the Tantric Mahayana Buddhist scripture.
Modern day Phimai has been considered a well known tourist attraction in Thailand
especially for those tourist who are interested in history and archeology. Located in the middle of Phimai is a small gallery which forms a rectangle surround the courtyard which has been newly built for commercial purpose. Within the gallery there is a pre-Angkorean Buddhist inscription that tells the story of prince Siddhartha
and his journey to being Buddha
along with other classic Buddhist stories. Along with the prangs which symbolize that the area is a sacred area. Phimai has always been an important tourist attraction for Thailand.
Within Phimai’s wall
When the tourists enter the area of Phimai from the old town on the south, they will have to cross a river about one kilometers to the south and found an ancient laterite landing stage which acheologists believe that it used to be the bathing place for the heroine in local myths. And up in the north gate there the city main gate, AKA the “Pratu Chai”, which has recently been reconstruct by the Royal Fine Art Department. Its size is enormous; it is said that the size is big enough for a royal elephant to enter. The Royal Fine Art Department has also built an inner gallery which shows ancient Buddhist inscriptions and small sculptures as well as pieces of wrecked architecture. The rest of Phimai still remains the same only with a little restoration by the Royal Art Department.
Architecture Style
Having a lot in common with Angkor
, Phimai shows a great example of classical Khmer architecture. Ancient Khmer architects were best known for their superior use of sandstone over the traditional bricks and laterite architectures. Sandstones are used on the outer layer where they are visible. And laterite on the other hand was used for the outer wall and other hidden parts. All the structures are building blocks of huge sandstone blocks. There are many lotus shaped roof which also represents Mount Meru(A holy mountain in Hinduism).
These Khmer temples, Phimai in this case were built to resemble the universe. The main building resembles the peak of the mountain that centers the universe. The surrounding walls resemble the water and encircling mountains. The Khmer didn’t develop the technique of true vaulting
during their time. This results in that large areas could not be roofed over. They didn’t have the motivation to came up with how to develop the technique of true vaulting because the believers of the religion didn’t requirement this. For them, large open areas are fine. They instead developed the use multiple chapels.
Construction Materials
The Khmer learnt how to efficiently use bricks, sand stones, and laterite. They were the three main principle structural materials. They generally cut the lintel 45degrees triangular wedge.
Nakhon Ratchasima Province
Nakhon Ratchasima or , often shortened to Korat or Khorat , is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand...
in the northeast of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The town is located at 15°13′N 102°30′E. As of 2005 the town has a population of 9,768. The town is the administrative center of the Phimai district
Amphoe Phimai
Phimai is a district in the northeastern part of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.-History:Phimai was an ancient Khmer city named Vimai or Vimayapura. A stone pillar dating to the reign of King Suryavarman I was found, naming the city Bhirapura meaning strong city...
.
In the aftermath of the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom
Ayutthaya kingdom
Ayutthaya was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese , Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the...
in 1767, attempts were made to set up five separate states, with Prince Teppipit, a son of king Boromakot
Boromakot
Somdet Phra Chaoyuhua Boromakot or Somdet Phra Boromaracha Dhiraj III was the king of Ayutthaya from 1732 to 1758. His reign was the last blooming period of Ayutthaya as the kingdom would fall nine years after his death....
, attempting to establish Phimai as one, holding sway over eastern provinces including Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
. The weakest of the five, Prince Teppipit was the first defeated and was executed in 1768. Phimai had also been an important town at the time of the Khmer
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
. The temple Prasat Hin Phimai, located in the center of the town, was one of the major Khmer temples in ancient Thailand, connected with Angkor
Angkor
Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from approximately the 9th to 15th centuries. The word Angkor is derived from the Sanskrit nagara , meaning "city"...
by an ancient Khmer Highway
Ancient Khmer Highway
The Ancient Khmer Highway was a 225 km roadway going northwest between Angkor and Phimai . While it was not the only such road built by the Khmer, it was the most important one....
, and oriented so as to face Angkor as its cardinal direction. The site is now protected as the Phimai historical park
Phimai historical park
The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. It is located in the town of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province....
.
Phimai has recently been the base of operations for the excavation of Ban Non Wat
Ban Non Wat
Ban Non Wat is a village in central Thailand, in the Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, located near the small city of Phimai. It has been the subject of recent excavation of what are thought to be late neolithic and early bronze age burials...
.
Khmer influence
Because of its physical territory located deep into the north-eastern part of ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
which was once a territory of Khmer
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
or what is modern day Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Phimai’s Architecture and cultural decorations are heavily influenced by Khmer
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
cultures. Art and architecture shown on the temple itself shows a great evident of ancient Khmer civilization
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
in what is modern day Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Similar in its look and design to Angkor
Angkor
Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from approximately the 9th to 15th centuries. The word Angkor is derived from the Sanskrit nagara , meaning "city"...
, it also has the same function of worshiping the gods in the Hindu religion
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
See also Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
Despite the fact that Phimai has been built in a similar fashion to Angkor
Angkor
Angkor is a region of Cambodia that served as the seat of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from approximately the 9th to 15th centuries. The word Angkor is derived from the Sanskrit nagara , meaning "city"...
and other Khmer Buddhist temples, some religious structures located within Phimai’s walls are still being debated about its original religion. Evidence such as the sculpture of “the Wheel of Law” or the statue of Buddha that were built in Dvaravati style shows that Phimai was certainly an important Buddhist spiritual location. Though a large quantity of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
has been shown in Phimai, evidence such as large pots that were embedded in some corners of the structure suggests that number of spiritual practices other than the ones that Buddhists do has been practiced in Phimai. In other words Phimai has always been an important religious landmark for Animists, Buddhists
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and Hindu Cults
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
There has not been much evidence of how Phimai and other evidence of Khmer civilizations
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
came about. But even though there has not been any concrete evidence that explains everything, there have been pieces of evidence that archeologists have spent times concluding the history of these Khmer art
Khmer art
The history of Cambodian art stretches back centuries to ancient crafts. Traditional Cambodian arts and crafts include textiles, non-textile weaving, silversmithing, stone carving, lacquerware, ceramics, wat murals, and kite-making...
forms in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The earliest engraved record of the Khmer during the 6th century AD was found in the north east of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
such as in Surin where the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
inscription in the stone has also been found. There were statues and engraved images of Hindu gods such as the image of Shiva’s bull nandin. Later the king during that time, Mahendravarman, ordered his men to engraved the inscription away. In modern day’s issue, it has still been debating about the unsure territory that the evidence may have been vanished.
Phimai along with other Khmer-influenced temples in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
have been built mainly under the cause of the “Deveraja cult”, or in other words “King that resembles as god”. JayavarmanII was the most mentioned “devaraja”. Devaraja cult developed the belief of worshiping Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
and the principle that the king during the certain reign was an avartar of the god Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
. The kings under this principle will build temples to glorify the reign of himself along with the spread of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
The 10th century was the time of the reign of king Rajendravarman II (944-968AD)
Rajendravarman II
Rajendravarman II was the king of the Khmer Empire , from 944 to 968.Rajendravarman II was a nephew of former king Yasovarman I...
which was also during the time that the Khmer
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
control was increasingly leaping towards the North Eastern Thai territory. Consequently, temples with the Kleang and Baphuon styles were left as a heritage here in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. These structures shared the same signature of having three brick towers on a single platform, for instance the Prasat Prang Ku in Sisaket province and Ban Phuluang in Surin
Surin Province
Surin is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et and Sisaket...
province.
Each individual buildings has its own special feature or function. For instance Prang Brahmadat was built of laterite blocks that form a square. Or Prang Hin Daeng which translate to “Red Stone Tower” which is also a square but was made of red sandstone. Or the main sanctuary built of white sandstone and has almost 32 meters in length. While the southern lintel has the statue of Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
meditating with “seven hoods of naga Muchalinda”. Adjacent to the statue were a collection statues of evils and animals that was depicted from the Tantric Mahayana Buddhist scripture.
Modern day Phimai has been considered a well known tourist attraction in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
especially for those tourist who are interested in history and archeology. Located in the middle of Phimai is a small gallery which forms a rectangle surround the courtyard which has been newly built for commercial purpose. Within the gallery there is a pre-Angkorean Buddhist inscription that tells the story of prince Siddhartha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
and his journey to being Buddha
Buddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
along with other classic Buddhist stories. Along with the prangs which symbolize that the area is a sacred area. Phimai has always been an important tourist attraction for Thailand.
Within Phimai’s wall
When the tourists enter the area of Phimai from the old town on the south, they will have to cross a river about one kilometers to the south and found an ancient laterite landing stage which acheologists believe that it used to be the bathing place for the heroine in local myths. And up in the north gate there the city main gate, AKA the “Pratu Chai”, which has recently been reconstruct by the Royal Fine Art Department. Its size is enormous; it is said that the size is big enough for a royal elephant to enter. The Royal Fine Art Department has also built an inner gallery which shows ancient Buddhist inscriptions and small sculptures as well as pieces of wrecked architecture. The rest of Phimai still remains the same only with a little restoration by the Royal Art Department.
Architecture Style
Having a lot in common with Angkor
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu,...
, Phimai shows a great example of classical Khmer architecture. Ancient Khmer architects were best known for their superior use of sandstone over the traditional bricks and laterite architectures. Sandstones are used on the outer layer where they are visible. And laterite on the other hand was used for the outer wall and other hidden parts. All the structures are building blocks of huge sandstone blocks. There are many lotus shaped roof which also represents Mount Meru(A holy mountain in Hinduism).
These Khmer temples, Phimai in this case were built to resemble the universe. The main building resembles the peak of the mountain that centers the universe. The surrounding walls resemble the water and encircling mountains. The Khmer didn’t develop the technique of true vaulting
Vault (architecture)
A Vault is an architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that require a counter resistance. When vaults are built underground, the ground gives all the resistance required...
during their time. This results in that large areas could not be roofed over. They didn’t have the motivation to came up with how to develop the technique of true vaulting because the believers of the religion didn’t requirement this. For them, large open areas are fine. They instead developed the use multiple chapels.
Construction Materials
The Khmer learnt how to efficiently use bricks, sand stones, and laterite. They were the three main principle structural materials. They generally cut the lintel 45degrees triangular wedge.