Phimai National Museum
Just a short walk from Prasat Hin Phimai, one of the most important Khmer sanctuaries in Thailand, the Phimai National Museum holds the finest collection of Khmer stone sculpture outside Phnom Penh. Opened in 1993 by the Fine Arts Department, the museum was built specifically to house artefacts recovered from Phimai and neighbouring prasat sites across the Khorat Plateau.
Highlights of the Collection
The ground floor is anchored by a magnificent sandstone Narai (Vishnu) reclining on Ananta, and several well-preserved Shiva lingas still mounted on their yoni pedestals. A row of Bayon-style faces in the side gallery dates to the 12th–13th century Jayavarman VII period, when Phimai was a major centre on the royal road between Angkor and the northern reaches of the empire.
Upstairs, a well-labelled gallery traces the development of Khmer art from pre-Angkor Chenla styles through the great periods of Baphuon, Angkor Wat, and Bayon. Architectural fragments, decorative lintels, pediments, and carved kala faces, salvaged from the prasat restoration project line the walls and give a vivid sense of how the original temple was decorated.
Visiting Phimai Museum
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00
Admission: 150 THB for foreigners, 30 THB for Thais
Location: Sai Ngam Road, Phimai town, 60 km north-east of Korat
Tip: Combine with a visit to Prasat Hin Phimai next door and the giant banyan tree (Sai Ngam) a few minutes away.