Dotted
about Thailand's great northeastern plateau are numerous temples
of varying sizes; most of these structures are believed to be
about a thousand years old. These building-built of brick, stone,
or combinations of the two materials-are of two types: those
built by persons of Brahmanic culture, these have three to five-storied
bases surmounted by prominent spires; those constructed by Buddhist
patronages, have a low base and their spires are not so tall.
The most spectacular of them all is at Phimai, 60 kms. northeast
of Nakhon Ratchasima.
 Prasat
Hin Phimai which is the charmingly amusing largest sandstone
sanctuary in Thailand almost situated in the center of Phimai
Ancient city which is carries a rectangular shape of 665 meters
wide and 1030 meters long. Nowadays, the sanctuary looks magnificiently
restored and renovated. The ruins of the facinating ancient
Khmer architecture has been preserved as the National Historical
Park.
The monument
itself is surrounded with two red sandstone walls; the external
wall and the gallery. These are puntuated by gatetowers (Gopuras)
at four cardinal points, North, South, East and West. The main
entrance is decorated with Naga balustrade which faces to the
South where there are ancient routes cut from Angkor.
The
main white sandstone Prang has its place in the middle, towers
of 28 meters in height, and flanked by two minor building,
on the left was built in laterite called "Prang Bhramadhat"
and on the right was built in sandstone called "Prang
Hin Daeng".
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