Northeast Thailand / Pak Thong Chai, Phimai
Pak Thong Chai is a small town in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, some 35km (22mi) south of Nakhon Ratchasima city. It’s particularly noted for its silk manufacture. Several well-known Bangkok Thai-silk houses have their factories at Pak Thong Chai. Independent local weavers turn out hand-woven silk material in more traditional design. Khorat silk, much of it from Pak Thong Chai, had its boom during the 1930’s when formal attire was normally made of silk cloth. After trousers were adopted for wear and polyesters were developed, the Korat silk factories declined.
Places of Interest
Lam Phra Phloeng Dam
At the dam, on a side road some 28km (18mi) from Pak Thong Chai, one can rent boats to go 23km (14mi) up the reservoir to the Pak Thong Chai Waterfall and the Khlong Ki Waterfall.
Wat Na Phra That
Wat Na Phra That, 4km (3mi) from the Pak Thong Chai District Office, has an old chapel with beautiful mural paintings of the early Rattanakosin (Bangkok) period. The door of the Ho Trai, the hall where the Buddhist scripture is kept, is elaborately carved.
Phimai
Phimai, some 50km (31mi) northeast of Nakhon Ratchasima city, is famous for its ancient structures which are believed to be about a thousand years old. The buildings of brick or stone, or combinations of the two materials, are of two types: those built by people of a Brahmanic (Hindu) culture, having three to five-storey bases surmounted by prominent spires; and those constructed by Buddhist people, usually having a low base and lower spires. Although several structures of the group are in ruins, their original splendor is evident.
No one knows who actually built Phimai, or when exactly, or why it was built at that particular site - the vast edifice and its environs stand isolated in an arid plain. One source declares "...it was built in the 12th century and some years before Angkor Wat". Monsieur H. Parmentier, an expert on Angkor, after a detailed study at Phimai, came to the conclusion that the temples were built in the reign of King Surijavoraman (1002-1049). Parmentier held that its architectural style closely resembles Angkor Wat buildings.
The principal sanctuary is a tower, Prasat, surrounded by four porches with an ante-chamber leading into each porch. (For details on Prasats in general,see chapter Art & Culture).
Of special interest is a carved stone door-lintel depicting a diving figure, dressed in an elephant skin worn upside down, who dances on a pair of prostrate figures. On either side of this figure are rows of seated Buddha images dressed in royal attire, while below them are rows of dancing celestial figures.
Scientists not only argue when Phimai was built but also whether it was destroyed in one event or just decayed after having lost its appeal as a religious site. The bases of all the edifices are comparatively intact while the superstructures are ruined to various degrees.
Accommodation
Phimai Hotel; 305/1-2 Haruthairom Rd
Tel 47-1689, 47-1306
50 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-260 (f, ac)
Places of Interest
Phimai National Gallery
This outdoor museum under the administration of the Fine Arts Department’s has a large collection of artifacts from various ancient eras: carved sandstone pediments and lintels from the 6th century Dvaravati period, many objects of the later 9th century Dvaravati style as well as exhibits of the Angkor Wat style of the 12th century.
Sai Ngam or "Beautiful Banyan Trees"
Sai Ngam, 2km (1.25mi) from Phimai, is a shady recreation area. Food stands selling snacks and drinks are plentiful.
Phimai Boat Racing
For over a hundred years, each year on the second weekend of October, Phimai hosts boat races. Participants and on-lookers come not only from Khorat city but neighboring provinces as well.
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