Sisaket Province - Tourism - Khmer Ruins

Khmer Ruins

Sisaket province is famous for its ruins dating to the Ancient Khmer Era. These include:

Tamnaksai Khmer Ruins (Tamchan Khmer Ruins) ปราสาทตำหนักไทร (ปราสาททามจาน) This is a single stupa of brick on a sandstone base. The stupa is rectangular. There is door on the east, while the other three sides have entrances with a door frame carved into the brickwork.

Bas relief - Carved on the red sandstone cliff, this depicts three gods in Khmer style. Khmer craftsmen probably practised here first before doing the actual carving for Preah Vihear Sanctuary.

Sra Trao or Huay Trao - This stream runs through rock at the foot of Preah Vihear Mountain, before entering a subterranean tunnel strengthened by rock walls. It is assumed that the lowland was once used as a Barai (Khmer reservoir).

Phra That Ruang Rong (พระธาตุเรืองรอง) - The temple's architecture is a blending of art from four ethnic groups in Lower Northeast: Lao, Suay, Khmer, and Yer. The Phra That Or stupa is 49 metres high.

Sra Kampaeng Noi Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทสระกำแพงน้อย) - These Khmer ruins include a laterite stupa and chapel with a big pond at front, all within a laterite wall. In the 13th century, additions were made in the Bayon architectural style. It once contained a community hospital known as the ‘Arokaya Sala’.

Sra Kampaeng Yai Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทสระกำแพงใหญ่) - This is the largest and most complete Khmer complex in the province. The site includes three stupas on the same base lined in a north-south direction and facing east. It was a originally shrine dedicated to Shiva, but was converted to a Mahayana Buddhist temple in 13th Century.

Huay Tap Tan Khmer Ruins or Ban Prasart Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทห้วยทับทัน หรือ ปราสาทบ้านปราสาท) - This consists of 3 brick stupas on laterite base aligned in North-South direction. They stand inside laterite walls with arch gates. The carved lintels depicting the churning of the sea of milk lies in front of the southern stupa.

Plang Ku Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทปรางค์กู่) - The Stupa of this Khmer ruin complex was built in gigantic-size. In front of Plang Ku is a big pond which is home to Anatidae species which gather from February onwards.

Ban Samor Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทบ้านสมอ) - This small Khmer ruin is located in Moo 2 Ban Tamchan, Tambon Samor. Built in the 13th Century, its stupa houses a carved statue.

Taleng Khmer Ruins (ปราสาทตาเล็ง) - This features a single stupa standing on a rectangular base. The stupa's base faces east. Only the front wall and some side walls remain.

Preah Vihear Sanctuary (ปราสาทเขาพระวิหาร) - The famous cliff-top Khmer sanctuary is near a disputed area between Thailand and Cambodia which has drawn much attention. It was listed as an antique architectural site by the Royal Thai Fine Arts Department, with an announcement in the Royal Gazette on October 11, 1940. Following an international Court ruling on July 15, 1962, however, the Hindu sanctuary is now on the Cambodian side of the border. Access must still be made through Thailand. An area of 4.6 square kilometers adjoining the temple is claimed by both countries is has been the scene of sporadic clashes between Thai and Cambodian border patrols.

Wat Maha Buddharam (วัดมหาพุทธาราม) - This Buddhist temple’s vihara houses ‘Luang Por To’ the sacred icon of Sisaket. Dating back to the Khmer era over a thousand years ago, the statue was carved from stone and later later at unknown time.