Nomenclature
The park takes its name from the Thai pronunciation of Khmer language Prasat Preah Vihear.
- Prasat (ปราสาท) is from Sanskrit prāsāda “castle”. Both languages use Prasat to designate ruins resembling forts.
- Preah and Phra (พระ) both are from Sanskrit varaḥ “excellent.”
- Vihear is from Sanskrit/Pali Vihara (“temple” or its central structure.) Thai "วิหาร" may be transliterated as Viharn, but is pronounced and usually transcribed as Wihan.
- Khao (เขา) is Thai for a mount, mountain, or hill ("phnom" in Khmer; Cambodians may say "Phnom Preah Vihear".) เขาวิหาร may be translated into the English language as Temple Hill.
Read more about this topic: Khao Phra Wihan National Park