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All you need to know to visit Phimai
พิมาย
Northeastern Thailand
270 km from Bangkok
Province of Nakhon Ratchasima
Thai prononciation : Pee Maï
Northeastern Thailand
270 km from Bangkok
Province of Nakhon Ratchasima
Thai prononciation : Pee Maï
Budget
Recomm. stay
1 à 2 jours
Visits
Travel guide to visit Phimai
Small charming town, Phimai is famous for its Khmer temple, the Prasat Phimai, one of the finest of its kind in Thailand. In the center of the city, it is the only monument in the Phimai Historical Park. Its architecture reminds of Angkor Wat built a century later and partly inspired by Phimai temple. Another curiosity in the city is the Sai Ngam or Banyan Tree, a park on a small island entirely composed of roots and branches of one singla banyan tree. Visitors can stroll in the shade, in the vaults of this small extraordinary forest. An enchanting setting with a small pond in which clouds reflect.The city, ancient walled city, has still a few shares of its walls and four partly restored doors. The most complete one is Pratu Chai just behind the bus terminal. Meru Boramathat, a chedi on a small hill one the main place, also reflects Phimai's past. And for those who want to knowmore about this past, the Phimai National Museum is waiting. At night, do not miss the small night market near the clock Tower, one of our favorite night markets in Thailand. A must to discover the popular Thai food and the special atmosphere of these markets. Compose your dinner yourself by strolling between the stalls, you will enjoy tasty food for very cheap. Just for this market, you should sleep at least one night In Phimai. And you probably will fall under the spell of Phimai. This city really deserves a stop. A small provincial town like we love with a beautiful temple...
To see all optiosn to get around in Phimai, read our dedicated paragraph about getting around in Phimai.
Accommodations in Phimai
If you choose to sleep in Phimai, and I recommend it for its night market and the city's atmosphere, the options won't be that numerous. There are only a few hotels and guesthouses here but enough to accommodate tourists staying in Phmai except during the Phimai Festival, the 2nd weekend of November. Then, if you have not booked in advance, it is impossible to find a room in Phimai city. Whatever accommodation you choose in town, you will always be within walking distance to the temple de Phimai or its night market which takes place near the clock tower. Personally, I recommend Paradise Hotel, for me, the best value for money in Phimaï and they rents motorbikes and bicycles.Find accommodation in Phimai
My recommandations
People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Phimai.
Practical information about Phimai
Most of the time visitors are just going to Phimai to visit the temple and go back to Nakhon Ratchasima or Buriram. Therefore the city has relatively few options to sleep. However, we advise you to stay for the night. In high season (November-March), especially during the weekend of the festival, check just before you get there that there is still room for you by calling the hotel or guesthouse you chose. Note that you can rent bikes at the Boonsiri Guesthouse.From October to late April, a small sound and light show is presented on the last Saturday of each month. A bigger show and traditional boat races on the Lam Chakarat river (behind Pratu Hin) take place for the Phimai Festival the second weekend of November.
How to go to Phimai ?
To go to Phimai, you must first go to Nakhon Ratchasima then take bus 1305 at Bus Terminal number 2 or catch it on the way on Mittharap Rooad or in front of the school at the end of Ratchadamnem and Chumphon Road for example). At Bus Terminal 2, there are also passenger vans which are located at the back of the terminal on the right. From Bangkok, you can get to Nakhon Ratchasima by bus (they are very frequent from Mo Chit Terminal) or by train.How to get around in Phimai ?
It is very easy to visit Phimai by walking, the monuments in the city are close to each other. There is only Sai Ngam which is a bit of a walk (20 minutes). Some hotels or guesthouses like the Paradise Hotel rent bicycles. Otherwise, near the clock tower you can sometimes find tuk-tuks and there are always motorcycle taxis.
Festivals in Phimai ?
Here is a list of the main festivals taking place every year in Phimai. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.
Mini sons et lumières
This festival generally takes place in the month of February
Phimai Festival and Boat Race
This festival generally takes place in the month of November
Must-visits in
Sai Ngam ( Banyan Tree )
ไทรงาม
My opinion :
Phimai temple
ปราสาทหินพิมาย
My opinion :
Phimai National Museum
พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติพิมาย
My opinion :
Other places to see in Phimai
Pratu Chai Gate
which is the best preserved of the four gates of the ancient fortifications and opens onto a lawn and a small pond.
Phimai Night Market
This small night market takes place every evening in Phimai city near the clock tower. There are many Thai Street Food stalls but it is also a more classic fresh market with fruit and vegetable, fish and meat vendors and also in the left aisle stalls selling clothe
Weather & climate in
In Phimai, there are usually three seasons: a warm season (February - May), a rainy season (May - October) and a cold season (October - February). During the cold season, the minimum temperatures in Nakhon Ratchasima province, fall around 18 °C and even 12 °C in some rural areas.The best time to come to Phimai is from November to April, the least advised moment is in September which remains much less rainy than in the southern provinces.
How to ask in Thai to go to Phimai ?
I want to go to Phimai / Yak paï ti Pee Maï.Where is Phimai ? / Pee Maï you ti naï ?
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