1. The topic of Visit a historic site

2. Historical Sites in Thailand All historical sites in Thailand receive the careful attention of Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, but some are of such significance that they have become World Heritage Sites under the administrative protection of UNESCO. Thailand’s more important sites include Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Historical Parks. Visitors here can experience the legacy of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms, while the influence of the Khmer era on Thailand can be experienced at a number of sites around the country, with key sites in Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram and Sisaket. To really get a feel for Thailand and its history, a visit to the kingdom’s ancient sites is absolutely essential. However long you intend to stay, try and visit at least one.

3. Thailand has a very long and magnificent history. Proof of this can be seen in the countless historical sites spread throughout all regions of the kingdom. With two Unesco-listed historical World Heritage Sites and many more potential candidates, Thailand has made great contributions to the international cultural heritage.

4. Every region of Thailand, be it in the north, south, central or northeast, has revealed a long legacy of civilization. Evidence of this rich cultural heritage can still be seen today. The two most prominent 'must-see' historical sites in Thailand are Sukhothai Historical Park and Ayutthaya Historical Park. Both places are designated as world heritage sites and both attract millions of admirers annually, who come to see the evidence of Siam's former glory. Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are considered the two most significant ancient kingdoms in Thai history, since Siam was united as a nation some 750 years ago. Both kingdoms had well-structured Buddhist communities, with advanced artistic and cultural development. In Sukhothai, visitors can see well-restored ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams, ditches, ponds, canals and the water dyke control system, which represented the magical and spiritual center of the kingdom.

5. The Fine Arts Department has jointly cooperated with Unesco in a concerted effort to preserve this valuable historical site. Not only with a view to fostering Thailand's national identity, but also to safeguard this fine example of mankind's cultural heritage. For travelers with more limited time who don't want to travel too far from Bangkok, the Ayutthaya Historical Park is a perfect choice. Just 76 km north of Bangkok, this site reveals the glory of the Ayutthaya empire, which held sway in the region for more than 400 years. The Ayutthaya historical park contains the ruins of ancient Buddhist temples and royal palaces in a well- organized city structure.

6. Before or after touring Ayutthaya Historical Park, don't forget to visit Bangkok's own historical center. The city's Rattanakosin Island is rich in historical sites from the early Bangkok period. Here, you can get a glimpse of how Ayutthaya might have looked. At the time of constructing Bangkok, the goal of the architects was to continue the cultural heritage of Ayutthaya. The art and architecture of the temples and palaces therefore followed the style of Ayutthaya quite closely. The most obvious indications of this can be seen in the Golden Mount at Wat Saket, the Grand Place, the royal temples and Wat Arun, which imitated the artistic designs of Ayutthaya.

7. Today, if you look at Rattanakosin, the original island of Bangkok, you will see a city tucked into a bend in the river in the same way that Ayutthaya was. Its principal structures are also aligned in similar fashion. Apart from the historical remains of the true Thai kingdoms, you can see the historical arts of the Khmer empire, which ruled over the region during the 10th to the 14th centuries AD. Anyone familiar with the magnificent Angkor Wat in Cambodia's Siem Riep may be surprised to learn that the Khmer empire once embraced the area of modern- day Thailand as well. Historic artifacts of the Khmer civilization have been found mainly in the lower part of the northeastern region of Thailand.

8. Major Khmer complexes include the Phimai Sandstone Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, Phanom Rung and Muang Tham Sanctuary in Buriram and Khao Phra Viharn Sanctuary in Sisaket province. Like Angkor Wat itself, these temples were all originally constructed as Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. It was under Jayavaraman VI that Buddhism replaced Hinduism and thus the Hindu temples were converted to 'wat'.

9. Their significance to Thai Buddhists remained strong even with the decline of the Khmer empire. The Khmer style heavily influenced the styles of the later Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods, most apparent in the architectural style of the Prang in Buddhist temples. Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram province is probably the most impressive Khmer complex in Thailand. After 17 years of restoration, the temple complex is the best restored of all the Khmer monuments in Thailand. The beauty of the main prang of Phanom Rung lies not only in its plan but in the vibrant stone carvings which cover large parts of the temple. Many lintels and pediments depict episodes from Indian texts such as the Ramayana.

10. In Nakhon Ratchasima, Phimai sandstone sanctuary has been magnificently restored and renovated and has been preserved as a national historical park. Built in the shape of a rectangle, 665 meters wide and 1,030 meter long, it is the largest sandstone sanctuary in Thailand. Khmer influence can be seen as far away as Lopburi and Kanchanaburi. Evidence can be seen in the Khmer-style Phra Prang Sam Yot in the central city of Lopburi and the remains of the Prasat Muang Singh in Kanchanaburi, major attractions in their respective provinces.

11. Visit a historic site in Buriram province Phanom Rung Historical Park Buriram

12. About 120 kilometres from Korat city, Phanom Rung Historical Park is one of the most diverse national parks and certainly one of the most important and most visited Khmer sites in Thailand. Based on Phanom Rung Hill, an extinct volcano that forms a gentle arc across the horizon, the park houses the largest number of Khmer monuments in Thailand. The whole site has been brought back to its’ full glory after nearly two decades of restoration and the result is extremely impressive. This is a vast site boasting temples, towers, Buddha images – all with a distinct Khmer architectural influence. The site also includes a Hindu Saivite (Shiva) monastery and sculptures of Vishnu. A 400-metre walkway leads up to the site’s main sanctuary and passes a number of different ruins. Many of these ruins contain images depicting Hindu Gods, Brahma and scenes from the Ramayana. Set against a scenic countryside backdrop, the site has massive impact. There’s a power about the place that is at once mystical and eerie – it is very a feel of stepping back in time and stepping into another world. It is difficult to cover every aspect of this site in a short description. However, suffice to say that this site is comparable to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Very close to the park is Muang Tam – a site of significant value in its’ own right. It features a main building with five towers positioned around it alongside a series of ponds.

13. The first thing visitors see when they arrive at the site is the grand stairway from the foot of the hill up to the top. Most of the buildings of the sanctuary were made of laterite and sandstone, all with elaborate designs. The buildings are lined all the way to the main pagoda. This layout is according to Hindu belief of the layout of the heaven of the god Shiva. The main pagoda is a large one with a square base and facing east. The designs on the pagoda, columns, doorway, and lintels are exquisite, most telling a story of gods in Hinduism. From these designs and the architecture, it was surmised that the pagoda, the stairway and the Naga bridge were built during the 12th century. Each building has descriptive designs telling people the purpose for its construction, its usefulness and the beliefs of ancient people. Phanom Rung is open daily from 06.00-18.00 hrs.

14. Details: Admission to the park costs 40 Baht and it is open daily from 08:00 to 17:30. How to get there: There is a bus from Buriram city to Ban Ta-Ko and from there you can get a songtaew to Phanom Rung.

15. Thank you for your attention Getting to Phanom Rung by car is easy. The sanctuary is 64 kilometres to the south of Buri Ram town. There are 2 ways to get there. Visitors can proceed from Nang Rong to Prakhon Chai (Highway No. 24) and upon reaching Ban Tako, there is a 12- kilometer road to Phanom Rung. Alternatively, if visitors proceed from Prakhon Chai, there is a road from there to the sanctuary with a distance of 21 kilometres. This route passes a branch road into Muang Tam sanctuary. Visitors can rent air-conditioned vans in town. Visitors traveling by bus from Nakhon Ratchasima can take the Nakhon Ratchasima-Surin bus and get off at Ban Tako (124 kilometres from Nakhon Ratchasima). From Ban Tako, a motorcycle service is available to take visitors to the site (fare according to agreement). There is 1 accommodation near the site.