Wandering Wonderful Phra Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat

The understated highlight of Lopburi is a rambling old Khmer-era temple complex, Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat. Spread out, plenty of stupas, nice lawn, a few delightful details.

It's a royal temple complex, initially built in the 12th and 13th centuries. The structures have a classic, Khmer, Angkor style to them.

A couple of impressive stupas and a later addition from the 1600s, by King Narai the Great as part of his palace there.

The main prang, still with original stucco.

Mini shrine. The best stupa, featuring a ring of angel figures at the top.

Another look at the spread.

Monkeying Around At Phra Prang Sam Yod

An easy pun title for this blog post. Phra Prang Sam Yod is located in Lopuri, Thailand, also know as a town of monkeys. It's a slight exaggeration, the monkeys are concentrated in a small section of town. Where the monkeys are, there are plenty of them. Trust us, you'll know when you are in monkey town.

Phra Prang Sam Yod is definitely in the middle of monkey town. Zip up your pockets, stow your glasses, watch for monkeys jumping on your back.

The temple. It dates from the 13th century, built by the Khmer empire as Buddhist, converted for a time to Hindu and then back to Buddhist. Elements of both religions are present in the design.

Hello monkeys. They hang out in waves, a big clump of busy fur flowing around the temple.

Oh boy.

Portrait of the monkey guard. The stick comes in handy. Inside the temple, only humans allowed. They've installed thick metal screens and a gate over the openings to keep monkeys outside.

Phra Prang Sam Yod in silhouette.

Getting Your Khmer On At Phimai Historical Park In Thailand

Angkor without the crowds. In Northeast Thailand, near the city of Khon Kaen, is an impressive example of Khmer temple architecture. The site is located at the terminus of an old Khmer highway, with the other end being at some place called Angkor Wat.

The classic approach.

Temple detail work, definitely a nod to what's found in Cambodia.

View from the back.

Classic nasty naga, the multi-headed snake god. Always good for a railing end. Blocks waiting for re-assembly.

Without many tourists, one can almost imagine being at the temple during its heyday. At least until it's time to get a bottle of water and a latte.

Ku Pueai Noi Near Khon Kaen

There's a lovely Khmer sanctuary a bit south of the Thai city of Khon Kaen. The site consists of three small buildings made of red sandstone. Pueai Noi dates from around 11th, 12th century A.D.

A bit difficult to make out the front entrance at sunset. Yep, it faces east.

Heading in. Various lintels have detailed carvings.

Someone's left a small Ganesh shrine.

Nice late day dapple on the complex.

View from the west, the sandstone glowing in the fading light of day.