Phimai

Phimai (พิมาย) is a small town in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. It is home to the Phimai Historical Park, one of Thailand's most important Angkorian sites.

Get in
Local buses run approx. every 30 minutes (05:30-22:00) from the provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Korat). The 60-km trip costs 50 baht and takes 70-90 minutes. Before entering the terminal which is on the outskirts, the bus may go through the town; if you see a Khmer temple, by all means get off.

From points north, disembark at Talad Kae, and wait for the local bus as above. The fare from Nong Khai is 200 baht to Talad Kae, and then 13 baht from there to Phimai.

Get around
The town itself is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. Sai Ngam, the banyan tree, is 1.5km from the ruins and is easily reached by bicycle or can be walked in 20 minutes.

See

 * is the largest banyan tree in Thailand. It is 350 years old and located 1.5km from the ruins outside the town centre to the northeast. It's a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride.
 * is the largest banyan tree in Thailand. It is 350 years old and located 1.5km from the ruins outside the town centre to the northeast. It's a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride.

Buy
The night market takes place every evening in the centre of town (16:00-21:00). The Monday market takes place each Monday on the outskirts of town, near the new bus terminal and the Phimai Inn. The 8 market takes place on the 8th, 18th and 28th of each month beyond the South Gate of Phimai, alongside the road leading to Baitey's and the Vocational School. Every day in the early morning hours and until around 8/9am, there is a morning market in Suriya Uthai Road.

Eat
The night market offers cheap, if sometimes unidentifiable, food.



Drink
The most obvious choice for late-night entertainment in the centre of town is the restaurant next to the 7-Eleven and across from the night market. It serves beer and whiskey until 01:00-02:00, and is popular with young Thais (and foreigners), who gather for celebrations and musical performances. There's daily live guitar and singing. There are also various karaoke bars scattered in and around the city.

Go next
You can either go back to Nakhon Ratchasima or take the road north to Khon Kaen. To visit another famous Khmer temple, Phanom Rung, go to Buriram or Nang Rong.