Prasat Muang Tam is a Khmer temple located in Thailand in Buriram Province (Isan), near the Cambodian border. Its architecture mirrors the splendor of the monumental Angkor complex. Its magnificent thousand-year-old gateways and the four basins surrounding its outer enclosure will transport you directly into a historical epoch with distinctly Cambodian echoes. Recently restored, the monument showcases the capabilities of local craftsmanship while taking you on a journey through time.

Origins of the Temple

During its restoration by Thailand's Department of Fine Arts, unprecedented discoveries came to light. Two statues were notably unearthed and are now displayed at the National Museum in Bangkok. No inscriptions allowing for precise dating of these new findings were discovered. However, the style of the lintels from that period allows experts to approximate its construction date. Blending the style of the Khleangs with that of the Baphuon—two buildings and a temple situated within the Angkor complex in Cambodia—scholars estimate that Prasat Muang Tam was likely constructed between the 10th and 11th centuries.

The Materials

Situated at the foot of a volcano dormant for 900,000 years, the temple is constructed of sandstone and laterite. These highly resistant stones lend an immeasurable charm to the monument while, through their optimal arrangement, ensuring its preservation across the centuries.

Laterite is the stone that imparts the unique reddish hue characteristic of Khmer temples. Sandstone, for its part, is a relatively common stone. Its porous nature has allowed lichen to establish itself on the temple's walls, giving it a more authentic, ancient, and wild character.

A Sacred Space Dedicated to Hindu Deities

The temple was primarily dedicated to Shiva, yet researchers nonetheless uncovered fragments of a Vishnu statue. These two deities are the principal gods of Hinduism. They form part, along with Brahmä, of the Trimūrtī—meaning each of these deities represents one of the three divisions of the supreme divinity. Together, they embody the cycle of creation (Brahmä), preservation (Vishnu), and destruction (Shiva) of the universe.

• Shiva, meaning "the one who brings happiness," is often regarded as the god of yoga, as the holder of universal, supreme, and absolute knowledge, capable of seeing "beyond knowledge." He is foremost the god of darkness, with the role of destroying the universe.
• Vishnu, corresponding to the protector of the universe, is renowned for his numerous avatars that appear during periods of chaos on Earth. This Hindu deity is generally represented as a blue man adorned with royal regalia on each of his four arms. He is also depicted accompanied by numerous attributes, the most common being the mace, the discus, the conch, and the lotus.

How to Get There

The best way to visit is to stay in Buri Ram or Surin and take a bus or taxi from one of these cities. The journey will take between 1 and 2 hours depending on your mode of transport. Note that buses stop a few kilometers from the site, so you will still need to arrange a taxi for the final leg of your journey.

We also recommend visiting Ta Phraya National Park, located approximately 1 hour's drive southwest of the temple, which hosts a great diversity of fauna and flora.

Practical Information

Hours : Open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM

Admission : 100 THB for foreign visitors and free for Thai nationals

You can purchase a combined ticket for visiting two temples: Prasat Muang Tam and Prasat Phanom Rung. They are separated by 8 km, and the combined ticket costs 150 THB for foreign visitors and is free for Thai nationals.