Prasat Ban Plai Its location is in the area announced by Fine Arts Department as a national monument surrounding with villagers’ residences. The temple buildings are on the east, eucalyptus plantations and rice fields are on the west. Architectural Construction Prasat Ban Plai is a group of three prasat on the same laterite foundation face east with stairs at the front, surrounded by rectangle moats. The construction details are cited as following; The main temple (at the center) was constructed with brick in square planning having the entrance on the east, room structure and layered roof. The southern prasat was built with brick in square planning having the entrance on the east. It is in deteriorated condition and only the lower wall survived. The laterite court in front of the Prasat is a location of two scared statue pedestals and numerous holes-possibly the pillar supporters of the building. Rectangle moats were surrounded the Prasat except the eastern part-the entrance. Square pond was positioned on the northeast outside the moats. Archeological Evidences Three lintels were discovered including the lintels from the main temple, the northern and southern prasat. The central lintel depicted a scene of Deva sitting above Kala adorned with garland. Resemble the central lintel; the northern lintel also presented a scene of Deva sitting above Kala adorned with garland. The southern lintel depicted scene of Indra atop Elephant Erawan above Kala adorned with garland
(currently displayed at Surin National Museum). Architectural adornments and pedestals of scared statues were also found and placed at the ground nearby the Prasat. Archeological and Historical Significances of the Site Prasat Ban Plai was a Khmer prasat in Shaivism, Khmer art- Baphuon style, ca 11th-12th centuries, serving as a monastery of the community. Large barai (water reservoir) at the front or on the east suggested the area once was a prosperous community. The Prasat is one of the evidences implied Khmer influences in this region. Prasat Ban Plai was registered as a national monument. Nowadays, the site is renovated by Fine Arts Department and served as a tourist attraction of Surin Province. Location Mu 6 Ban Prasat, Ban Plai Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province To Go There Take the route 214 (Surin-Prasat) for 22 kilometers, turn right at the intersection for 3 kilometers to Ban Prasat. Wat Khok Prasat and Prasat Ban Plai are on the right.
TrACKING DOWN THE GLORIOUS PATHS
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