Continued from:
www.gt-rider.com
After two nights in Korat, it was time to tick off a few other Khmer ruins boxes.
There are too many & you never have enough time of course.
Google Maps was my guide. Searching for Khmer ruins nearby, sorted by distance, a quick look at a few photos, and the reviews were the deciding factors. I wish I had known the two excellent Khmer ruins guides before I left CK: Beyond Angkor and Tim's Thailand.
Departure time from Korat = 10.45 AM
Check-in time at Rang Nong = 6 PM.
Total distance for the day = 211 km.
It was a low-km day, and I wandered along slowly, trying to pick up attractions I had noted on Google Maps.
Muang Sema, Prasat Muang Khaek, & Prasat Non Ku were noted to start the day.
Not knowing the area, there were some navigation hiccups & challenges during the day.
In reflection, it only confirmed my belief that when you only use a GPS & remain focussed solely on that for navigation, you don't learn where you have been or much about the environment you have ridden through, apart from the road.
Jao Por Sung Noen Shrine
This Chinese shrine along the way, on the wrong road, certainly caught my attention.
Location:
maps.app.goo.gl
Muang Sema
Situated 42 kilometres west-southwest of Korat, Muang Sema is an ancient city comprising an inner and outer section. It originated during the Dvaravati period in the 7th or 8th century and is associated with the Si Thep ruins near Wichian Buri. As the Dvaravati era declined, Muang Sema fell under Khmer influence.
Muang Sema Outer City Monument # 7
Google Maps led me to the outer city area first & monument # 7.
It indicated a dirt track through the scrub to the inner-city area. However, with the drizzle falling, I chickened out and went around the long way on the asphalt to avoid any possible snot that may cause me to drop the bike and then be unable to pick it up alone.
Muang Sema inner-city ruins site.
There were some fantastic old trees in this historical park.
Muang Sema Location: Mueang Sema Historical Site · WQCX+X4G, Sema, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
Muang Sema - The Oldest Reclining Buddha
Note that there is a sandstone Buddha image measuring 13 meters long in Dvaravati style from the 7th or 8th century, which is the oldest reclining Buddha image in Thailand. It is located at Wat Phra Non / Dhammachakra, a mere 1 km away, but I somehow missed it!
Wat Phra Non Location:
maps.app.goo.gl
Muang Sema More Info.
beyondangkor.org
www.bangkokpost.com
pathsunwritten.com
Prasat Muang Khaek.
Prasat Muang Khaek is 33 km W-S-W from Korat / 7 km E-S-E from Muang Sema.
The ruins likely originate from the 10th century. This sanctuary is distinctive for its northward alignment.
Archaeological excavations in 1959 and from 1990 to 1991 uncovered beautifully engraved stone lintels and sculptures of gods.
Make sure you take your time to wander around.
Prasat Muang Khaek Location: Prasat Muangkhaek · WR7M+FCQ, Kho Rat, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
Prasat Muang Khaek Information Sources.
beyondangkor.org
www.orientalarchitecture.com
www.tourismthailand.org
Prasat Non Ku.
Located 800 metres south of Prasat Muang Kaek is Prasat Non Ku / 32 km from Korat.
This small ancient site is constructed from bricks and sandstone, laid out in a rectangular plan facing east.
It features a single prang on a tall base, flanked by two Wihan structures oriented towards the prang.
A boundary wall encloses the site, with entrance archways (Gopura) on both the east and west sides.
Additionally, a Nandin bull statue is positioned on the ground between the two Wihans, bowing respectfully towards the main sanctuary, which is believed to house the spirit of the Hindu deity Shiva.
Archaeological excavations in 1991-1992 unearthed significant evidence, leading to the hypothesis that this site may be a Hindu shrine built in the ancient Khmer architectural style around the 11th century.
Prasat Non Ku Location: Prasat Non Ku · WR5M+6FW, Kho Rat, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
More Prasat Non Ku Info.
www.orientalarchitecture.com
www.tourismthailand.org
With a bit of time left in the day & a rough plan to head east of Korat & along R24 to eventually end up somewhere for the night, I marked Prang Pha Kho as the next convenient attraction box to tick.
Prang Pha Kho.
Prang Pha Kho is 75 km E-S-E from Prasat Non Ku / 45 km south from Korat.
The site has a small cluster of brick and sandstone buildings.
Between 1990 and 1991, excavation & restoration were conducted.
Excavations revealed a second bannalai opposite the existing one.
Three religious structures are arranged in a T-shaped layout alongside a bannalai.
The central tower faces east, while the other two towers are oriented towards each other.
Right beside the road, Prang Pha Kho is well worth a look.
Prang Pha Kho Location: Prang Pha Kho · M5XF+9HJ, Krathok, Chok Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30190, Thailand
Prang Pha Kho More Info.
www.timsthailand.com
beyondangkor.org
75 km later, I was in Nan Rong city, a bustling little amphur I had never heard of.
The S.S. Hotel Nangrong was my place of stay & it was great value.
Undercover parking
www.gt-rider.com
It was an interesting night, followed by a few beers & dinner at the Ekkanek Pub & Restaurant.
www.gt-rider.com
Another day was done & the "real lower esarn tour" was just starting.
Chiang Khong – Lower Esarn Meander July 2024. Part 12 Korat - Prasat Hin Phanom Wan.
Phimai - Korat via Prasat Hin Phanom Wan. A short ride of 71 kms. Depart from Sai Ngam at 12.30PM. Check into Siri Hotel Korat at 3.30PM. En route to Korat a visit to Prasat Hin Phanom Wan was in order. It was also a convenient spot to hook up with an old mate Harri the Finn, living in...
www.gt-rider.com
After two nights in Korat, it was time to tick off a few other Khmer ruins boxes.
There are too many & you never have enough time of course.
Google Maps was my guide. Searching for Khmer ruins nearby, sorted by distance, a quick look at a few photos, and the reviews were the deciding factors. I wish I had known the two excellent Khmer ruins guides before I left CK: Beyond Angkor and Tim's Thailand.
Departure time from Korat = 10.45 AM
Check-in time at Rang Nong = 6 PM.
Total distance for the day = 211 km.
It was a low-km day, and I wandered along slowly, trying to pick up attractions I had noted on Google Maps.
Muang Sema, Prasat Muang Khaek, & Prasat Non Ku were noted to start the day.
Not knowing the area, there were some navigation hiccups & challenges during the day.
In reflection, it only confirmed my belief that when you only use a GPS & remain focussed solely on that for navigation, you don't learn where you have been or much about the environment you have ridden through, apart from the road.
Jao Por Sung Noen Shrine
This Chinese shrine along the way, on the wrong road, certainly caught my attention.
Location:
Jao Por Sung Noen Shrine · 138 สวà¹à¸²à¸à¹à¸ªà¸à¸à¸£à¸£à¸¡ Sung Noen, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
âââââ · Pilgrimage place
maps.app.goo.gl
Muang Sema
Situated 42 kilometres west-southwest of Korat, Muang Sema is an ancient city comprising an inner and outer section. It originated during the Dvaravati period in the 7th or 8th century and is associated with the Si Thep ruins near Wichian Buri. As the Dvaravati era declined, Muang Sema fell under Khmer influence.
Muang Sema Outer City Monument # 7
Google Maps led me to the outer city area first & monument # 7.
It indicated a dirt track through the scrub to the inner-city area. However, with the drizzle falling, I chickened out and went around the long way on the asphalt to avoid any possible snot that may cause me to drop the bike and then be unable to pick it up alone.
Muang Sema inner-city ruins site.
There were some fantastic old trees in this historical park.
Muang Sema Location: Mueang Sema Historical Site · WQCX+X4G, Sema, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
Muang Sema - The Oldest Reclining Buddha
Note that there is a sandstone Buddha image measuring 13 meters long in Dvaravati style from the 7th or 8th century, which is the oldest reclining Buddha image in Thailand. It is located at Wat Phra Non / Dhammachakra, a mere 1 km away, but I somehow missed it!
Wat Phra Non Location:
Wat Thammachak Semaram (Wat Phra Non Khlong Khwang) · WQ8V+MFV, Sema, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
âââââ · Buddhist temple
maps.app.goo.gl
Muang Sema More Info.
Muang Sema - Beyond Angkor
Thailand's oldest reclining Buddha flooded
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: The 1,300-year-old reclining Buddha image at Wat Dhammachakra Sema Ram, inside Muang Sema Historical Park in Sung Noen district, was partially submerged when the temple was flooded by mountain runoff on Sunday.
Artifact Profile: Bo Ika Inscription & the Lost City of Sri Canasa
The Bo Ika Inscription found in the ruins of Muang Sema tells the tale of Sri Canasa, a lost kingdom that once existed outside of the Angkorian realm.
pathsunwritten.com
Prasat Muang Khaek.
Prasat Muang Khaek is 33 km W-S-W from Korat / 7 km E-S-E from Muang Sema.
The ruins likely originate from the 10th century. This sanctuary is distinctive for its northward alignment.
Archaeological excavations in 1959 and from 1990 to 1991 uncovered beautifully engraved stone lintels and sculptures of gods.
Make sure you take your time to wander around.
Prasat Muang Khaek Location: Prasat Muangkhaek · WR7M+FCQ, Kho Rat, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
Prasat Muang Khaek Information Sources.
Prasat Hin Muang Khaek - Beyond Angkor
Prasat Muang Khaek, Nakhon-Ratchasima, Thailand
Photos and description of the architecture of Prasat Muang Khaek, a 7th century Khmer-era temple built around the same time as Koh Ker in Cambodia.
www.orientalarchitecture.com
Prasat Mueang Khaek
The official site of Tourism Authority of Thailand. Amazing Thailand, Travel information, Travel guide, maps, hotels, accommodation, attractions, events & festivals, food, culture, shopping information to help you plan your Thailand vacations.
Prasat Non Ku.
Located 800 metres south of Prasat Muang Kaek is Prasat Non Ku / 32 km from Korat.
This small ancient site is constructed from bricks and sandstone, laid out in a rectangular plan facing east.
It features a single prang on a tall base, flanked by two Wihan structures oriented towards the prang.
A boundary wall encloses the site, with entrance archways (Gopura) on both the east and west sides.
Additionally, a Nandin bull statue is positioned on the ground between the two Wihans, bowing respectfully towards the main sanctuary, which is believed to house the spirit of the Hindu deity Shiva.
Archaeological excavations in 1991-1992 unearthed significant evidence, leading to the hypothesis that this site may be a Hindu shrine built in the ancient Khmer architectural style around the 11th century.
Prasat Non Ku Location: Prasat Non Ku · WR5M+6FW, Kho Rat, Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30170, Thailand
More Prasat Non Ku Info.
Prasat Non Ku, Nakhon-Ratchasima, Thailand
Photos and description of the architecture of Prasat Non Ku, among the earliest Khmer monuments in Thailand apart from Khao Noi and Phum Pho.
www.orientalarchitecture.com
Prasat Non Ku
The official site of Tourism Authority of Thailand. Amazing Thailand, Travel information, Travel guide, maps, hotels, accommodation, attractions, events & festivals, food, culture, shopping information to help you plan your Thailand vacations.
With a bit of time left in the day & a rough plan to head east of Korat & along R24 to eventually end up somewhere for the night, I marked Prang Pha Kho as the next convenient attraction box to tick.
Prang Pha Kho.
Prang Pha Kho is 75 km E-S-E from Prasat Non Ku / 45 km south from Korat.
The site has a small cluster of brick and sandstone buildings.
Between 1990 and 1991, excavation & restoration were conducted.
Excavations revealed a second bannalai opposite the existing one.
Three religious structures are arranged in a T-shaped layout alongside a bannalai.
The central tower faces east, while the other two towers are oriented towards each other.
Right beside the road, Prang Pha Kho is well worth a look.
Prang Pha Kho Location: Prang Pha Kho · M5XF+9HJ, Krathok, Chok Chai District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30190, Thailand
Prang Pha Kho More Info.
Prang Phakho Khmer Ruin - Tim's Thailand
Casual travelers probably won't be too impressed by the modest remains of Prang Phakho (ปรางศ์พะโค), but it has some unusual features that Khmer enthusiasts will definitely want to see. Built in the 11th century, it presently consists of just two buildings: an east-facing central prang and one...
www.timsthailand.com
Prang Pha Kho - Beyond Angkor
75 km later, I was in Nan Rong city, a bustling little amphur I had never heard of.
The S.S. Hotel Nangrong was my place of stay & it was great value.
Undercover parking
Nang Rong R24 Accommodation.
S S Hotel A small new modern hotel, with under cover parking. 590 baht excellent value for money. https://maps.app.goo.gl/J21DmCZH8qNWF4pY8
www.gt-rider.com
It was an interesting night, followed by a few beers & dinner at the Ekkanek Pub & Restaurant.
Nang Rong Restaurants R24 / R348 Junction.
Ekkanek Pub & Restaurant An big open-air pub & restaurant with good live music. An excellent female singer. Super friendly, happy staff. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7Vbi1yF2GQ3pMGwL9
www.gt-rider.com
Another day was done & the "real lower esarn tour" was just starting.
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