Nakhon Ratchasima

Regard as the gate-way to the Khorat plateau via the Friendship Highway, this province boasts many invaluable antiquities.

    Stone Quarry Site in Sikhiu

As this white sandstone quarry there is evidence of stone blocks of various sizes having been cut. Located at k,. 206 on Friendship Highway, it is believed to have supplied stone for the construction of temples,shrines and sculpted figures in Nakhon Ratchasima and nearby areas. Similar stone quarries have been discovered in Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Sakin Nakhon.

    Prasat Phimai

    This large and important Mahayana Buddhist sanctuary is at the center of the ancient town of Phimai in the Phimai district, 60 km. from the provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima.

  Indications that it was a Mahayana Buddhist temple are in the carvings on the lintels above the inner doors of the central stupa which depict Buddha on Naga amid five Buddha images in a meditating attitude, Buddha's life story, Bodhisatvas and scenes from the Ramayana.

    Special features of the Phimai sanctuary are the entrance rooves with many redented corners and layers of carved petal;-like decorations, unlike those of carved petal-like decorations, unlike this of most Khmer Prasats. Art historians have surmised that these are the prototype of similar structures are Angkor Wat in Cambodia, as Prasat Phimai was built a little earlier, that is in the middle of the 12th century  and was restored and renovated in the following century and a major restoration was undertaken by the Fine Arts Department between 1964-1968. Maintenance was continued until it was designated as an historical park in 1981. The park was officially opened in April 1989.

    Prasat Phanom Wan

    Another major Mahayana Buddhist sanctuary, Prasat Phanom Wan, is located in the compound of Pranom Wan Temple at Ban Makha in Tambon Na Pho of Muang district 15 km. from the provincial capital via the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khonkaen route.

    The carvings on the sanctuary's lintels are similar to ancient Khmer art of the period between 1007-1017. However, its inscription, deciphered by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.