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Prasat Phanom Wan is in Ban Makha, Tambon Pho,
around 15 kilometres from the city on the Nakhon Ratchasima-Khon Kaen
road. A sign on the right shows the way on a road 5 kilometres more.
This is an interesting Khmer sanctuary. It is believed that it was
built in the 15th Buddhist century. Later during the 18th-19th
centuries, a stone building was built over it. From inscriptions found
at the site, it is known that the sanctuary was used in the Hindu
religion and later became a Buddhist site. Although most of it is in
ruins, there is a clear form present, like the square main pagoda
facing east and a tiered pagoda in front, as well as a path linking the
two structures.
To the southwest is a building of red sandstone
called “Prang Noi.” Inside is a large stone Buddha image. A roofed
sandstone walkway and a laterite wall go around the sanctuary. A
Gopura (a sanctuary doorway or porch) in the form of a tall tower is
situated in all 4 directions. Around 230 metres east of the sanctuary
are traces of a moat and an earth hill that was the site of another
Khmer building called “Noen Oraphim.”
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