Phimai - Townscape

Present-day Phimai occupies only part of the former town, once protected by walls, ramparts and moats; it originally covered an area of 582 sq. km (225 sq. mi.). Only ruins of the 4-m (13-ft) high sandstone walls remain and of the four town gates only the southern one, Pratu Chai (Victory Gate), still stands. The Khmer rulers would enter the town through this gate accompanied by their entourage, having come from Angkor. A shop-lined street led from here straight to the temple grounds.

Meru Boromathat hill rises by a parallel street on the right; the brick building in which King Boromathat's cremation is supposed to have taken place now consists solely of ruins. The cremation of Boromathat's wife probably occurred on a smaller hill opposite.

The town of Phimai occupies a strategically favorable position on an island; a canal, no longer in existence, was built between Menam Mun and Khlong Chakrai, one of its tributaries, which surround the largest part of the old town's precincts.