Phimai

Phimai (พิมาย) is a small town in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. It is home to the Phimai Historical Park, one of Thailand's most important Angkorian sites.

An introduction to Phimai

Get in

Local buses run approx. every 30 minutes (06:00-22:00) from the nearby provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima (commonly called Korat) for 80 Baht. The local bus may stop on the road leading to the Khmer ruins; if you see a Khmer temple, by all means get off.

From points north, disembark at Talad Kae, and wait for the local bus as above. The fare from Nong Khai is 350 Baht to Talad Kae, and then 13 Baht from there to Phimai.

Get around

The town itself is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. Sai Ngam and the banyan tree, is 1.5km from the ruins and is easily reached by bicycle or can be walked in 20 minutes.

What to see in Phimai

Phimai Historical Park - ปราสาทหินพิมาย | The Khmer temples are among the best-preserved in Thailand and similar (if much smaller) than those at Angkor Wat. Parts of the park are older than Angkor Wat. Includes Khmer buildings, sculptures leading to the shrine, restaurant and gift shop.
Sai Ngam The largest banyan tree in Thailand is 1.5km from the ruins outside town centre to the east. It's a 20-minutes walk or a 5-minutes bike ride.

What to do in Phimai

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Phimai

The night market takes place every evening in the centre of town (16:00-21:00). The Monday market takes place each Monday on the outskirts of town, near the new bus terminal and the Phimai Inn. The 8 market takes place on the 8th, 18th and 28th of each month beyond the South Gate of Phimai, alongside the road leading to Baitey's and the Vocational School.

Muslim Friendly Food & Restaurants in Phimai

The night market offers cheap food. NOT HALAL

Muslim Friendly hotels in Phimai

Boonsiri Guesthouse - Clean and central. Social area upstairs, library and (Thai) cafe with Western breakfasts.

Khru Pom Restaurant & Guesthouse | Clean, modern rooms with air-con. Excellent restaurant: try the fish fried with lemon grass.

Moon River Resort Phimai - Thai-style elevated bungalows with covered terraces line the river just opposite the National Museum. A ten minutes walk from the town centre and the Khmer temple/Prasat Hin. Hot showers, TV, refrigerator, free Internet; breakfast optional. Owner Khun Chin speaks English and (German). The river is safe to swim and great fun, too.

Phimai Hotel | In the heart of the town offers air-conditioned rooms.

Phimai Inn | A slightly more up-scale lodging and has a swimming swimmingpool and restaurant, but is a hike from town.

Phimai Paradise Hotel - clean, well-organised hotel with rooms ranging from small singles at 500 Baht to a triple family room at 650 Baht. There is a swimming pool, which may have cleaning equipment in it when you visit, as at least one traveller reported seeing this. Great location near the night market and Phimai Historical Park. Very noisy in the morning. Phimai still has tannoy radio from 06:30 to 07:30, and there is much other noise within and from near the hotel. If you came to see the Angkorian ruins at dawn, you won't need an alarm clock!

Go next

You can either go back to Nakhon Ratchasima take the road north to Khon Kaen. To visit another famous Khmer temple, Phanom Rung, go to Buriram or Nang Rong.