Preah Vihear Temple located on Phanom Dong Rak mountain range In Cambodia The area adjacent to the Pha Mor E Daeng of Thailand With the castle facing the side adjacent to Thailand, so visiting the castle on land Therefore must use the route that passes Pha Mor E Daeng of Thailand. From the evidence appearing in the inscription Show that this temple Siva was built during the 15th century and later in the 16th-17th century, with additional additions, respectively. Until the completion of the reign of King Suryavarman II, who was the author of the official announcement On the stone inscription.

Preah Vihear, or known to many as “Preah Vihear Temple” (Prasat Preah Vihear) and that Cambodia is called “Preei Wihir” is a stone castle located in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. In the overlapping area of ​​the Thai-Cambodian border Between the house of St. Nicholas Chom Kraton District Preah Vihear Province Of Cambodia And Ban Phum Sirol, Sao Thong Chai Sub-district, Kantharalak District Sisaket province near Khao Phra Wihan National Park.

Preah Vihear Mountain is a sacred area for the natives. In King Jayavarman II, this area was designated and named “Pavalai” after the name appeared in the Sanskrit inscription that “Srisikri Sornwor” means “the great person of the noble mountain”, situated on the top of a hill in Phanom Dong Rak mountain range. Along the border line between Thailand and Cambodia From various evidence that it was built in the year 1432-1443 In the reign of King Suryavarman 1 to be used as a place of worship according to Brahmanism. By assuming “Mount Meru” (the center of the universe) by creation has reason to gather the power and beliefs of people in the neighborhood together because in the past there were people of many nationalities living together King Suryavarman 1 build a temple. In order to be the anchor and center of the mind of Villagers, which will make the administration easier as well.

Preah Vihear History

In the reign of King Suryavarman 1 (1545-1593 BC) around the 16th century, he established a temple to enshrine a statue called Kamreng Tengkhot Si Sikhetwor To assimilate the indigenous people, including Cham and tribute into one in the same belief system Prasat Preah Vihear therefore is the center of belief. Is the center of indigenous ancestral rituals Dedication of land, slaves and objects to Prasat Preah Vihear temple, therefore, Preah Vihear Temple is a pilgrimage site for both the ancient Khmer kings and the indigenous groups of Preah Vihear, formerly known as Kurukaset. Kantharalak District, Khukhan District, Sisaket Province. Prasat Khao Preah Vihear is like the heavenly temple of the people in the land of Cambodia and in Phanom Dong Regg. Prasat Preah Vihear has Lamraw as a natural source of water for the community. The summit of Mount Preah Vihear is considered a sacred place, based on beliefs outside of nature and the abundance of indigenous things. Before the establishment of this place, it was the Si Siksiri that enshrined the sacred Shiva Linga. According to the doctrine of the Deva King of Cambodia.

Although the castle was built by King Khmer But the way up to the castle and Pavalai faces north to the south of Thailand. Represents the worship of people in this area And consistent with the topography for the people in the low land area of ​​Cambodia. There is a very steep ascension. On the east side of the castle, through the strait known as the broken stairway, the Preah Vihear temple is the center of belief in the Dharma and is the center of ancestral rituals of the local people. The temple was dedicated with land, slaves, objects that caused the expansion of the community around the temple and nearby temples. In the immediate vicinity of Prasat Preah Vihear there are also places of interest, such as high reliefs at Pha Mor E Daeng and two pairs of unique historic Stupas. This Preah Vihear Castle Formerly under the care of Thailand And the Fine Arts Department has registered Is an artifact Announced in the Government Gazette on 11 October B.E. 2483. Since 15 July, Buddhasak 1962 has been changed to be under the supervision of Cambodia. According to the judgment of the World Court And is still in Cambodia since the present time.

Preah Vihear Details

Preah Vihear Temple Is a beautiful historic site Striking over the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range Boundary Between Thailand and Cambodia With a height of 657 meters above sea level. Prasat Phra Viharn is like a deity on the mountains, or “Srisikorn Son”, a “diamond crown” of Lord Shiva (Shiva) standing on the top of Phanom Dong mountain range. Love is 800 meters long, north-south. Most of them are long entrances and stairs reaching the top of the hill. Until the president’s castle Which is at the southernmost peak of the castle (120 meters high from the northernmost point of the castle, 525 meters from the flat ground of Cambodia and 657 meters from sea level)

Preah Vihear Temple consists of a group of Devalai and many stone castles. All built to give to Lord Shiva. In which the first temple or stone castle was built In the beginning of the 9th century, the ruins of the remaining Devalai Aged since the island of Kerguelen In the early 10th century, when the temple was a remarkable architecture. Is a heritage of the ancestors of “Khmer Cambodia” (Khmer), since ancient times, has lived in both Cambodia And in our northeast Khmer, Cambodia is a nation that has the ability to build “castles” with sandstone and laterite. Khammer, Cambodia, has built castles on the Phra Viharn temple for many consecutive periods, over 300 years, from the King “Yasothan 1” to “Suryavarman 1” until “Chai Woraman 5-6”. Until the very end “Suryavarman 2” and “Jayavarman 7” from the end of the 9th century to the middle of the 12th century (or from the 15th to the 18th century Buddhist or 300 years before the Sukhothai period).

The entrance to the chairman’s castle is separated by five levels (the arches) of Kopura (Kopura’s 5th floor is the part where visitors will find the first part). Each level of Kopura before the front courtyard will pass through the stairs. Many steps Each level of Kokura therefore changes the height by step In addition, Koparu blocked the audience from seeing the next part of the castle. Until passing through each period Makes it impossible to see the entire structure of the castle from any angle

Originally, Prasat Preah Vihear was in the administrative divisions of Thailand. Based on Ban Phum Sirol, Sao Thong Chai Sub-district, Kantharalak District Sisaket Province (AD 1899, R.D.-118) and in 1899 B.E., Her Royal Highness Prince Chumphon Somphet Krom Luang Sappasitthiprasong Went to this castle And called “Prasat Phromvihan” which is commonly referred to as “Preah Vihear Temple”, which he had inscribed in the reign of R.E. and the name on the ridge of the cliff that has a good eye that 118 all rights.

Later, in the year 1907, French imperialism (The Khmer ruling at that time) relying on military force, forcing the Siamese government (Thai) to write a map requiring the Preah Vihear to be in the territory of Cambodia. In making additional treaties The Siamese government also accepted the map created by France without complaint. (Which originally if divided by the Phanom Dong Rak mountain watershed Preah Vihear mountains are on the Thai side, but when divided according to the new plan of the year 1907 will be on the Cambodian side) probably because France was a great power at that time And Thai people can still easily enter the temple.

Despite whether according to the original treaty Act 1904 or geography Determined to stay in the territory of Thailand until October 6, 1959, the government of Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia. Under the backing of France Filed a lawsuit with the World Court Thailand requests to withdraw troops from Phra Viharn temple. And asked the court to decide that sovereignty over the Phra Viharn temple is restored (Filed a total of 73 times). Later, on 15 June 1962, the World Court ruled that the sovereignty over the Temple of Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia with a score of 9 to 3 votes, with the area approximately 150 rai.

The main features of the Preah Vihear temple include …

1. Clay stairway in front of the castle In which the front stairway is a large walkway In the north of the castle Sloping along the hillside Some layers of stone were extracted into the mountains, 8 meters wide and 75.50 meters long. There are 162 steps on both sides of the stairs with a square base set to rest. (Resting means The hillside is layered enough to rest) large, lined up Used for setting up a lion statue (Tha-Wa-Ra-Ban) in order to maintain the route.
2. Nakharat Bridge or Nakharat courtyard located on the south side of the stone steps in front Paved with smooth stone sheets, 7 meters wide, 31.80 meters long, on both sides of the Nakarat Bridge, built into a low base. On the base there are 2 head 7 Nakarat heads spreading out, facing north. The torso is on both bases. Fried to the south The tail of the Nakarat was slightly raised. Both of them are not in the sky. The composition resembles a natural snake. Is a characteristic of the Naga in Khmer art, Papuan.
3. Kopura (arch), 5th floor, there is a painting by Pamantier. Build a Chaturaphak Pavilion Cross-shaped without wall Only the stairs and arches in all 4 directions are built on a recess 1.8 meters square lotus base. The front door arch in all directions is a lion-shaped statue of Kopura at 3.5 meters high. There are still red signs that used to decorate the castle. But the tile roof is gone Stairway to Kopura, level 5, to the north Is a stone stairway that looks quite steep To the east of Kopura, level 5, there is a rather steep stairway. And damaged many parts, 340 meters long to the hillside.
4. Kopura (archway) floor 4 (The second castle) will be a picture of the agitation of the sea at Khao Phra Viharn is considered “one of the masterpieces of the Phra Viharn temple”. The lintel is the image of Narai Bannasin above Anantanakharat. Which the way from Kopura, 5th floor, is a stone courtyard about 7 meters wide, on both sides, there will be a reed ridge on both sides But there are many ruins 4th floor, Kopura, built as Chaturaphak Pavilion With only one southern wall 39 meters long from east to west, 29.5 meters wide from north to south It is the art of Kopura after the 5th floor. It is a rocking / sin circle. The gable is an image of agitation retiring the ocean liners.
5. Kopura (the arch) 3rd floor (1st castle) is Kopura which is the largest and most complete. The structure is similar to Kopura levels 1 and 2, but is wrong with the wall covering the larger than. And flanked by two rooms The main castle can pass through the front porch of the stairs, 3.6 meters wide and 6 meters high, on both sides of the base is a lion sitting 5 seats, the porch above the gable is Krishna lifting the Kowana mountain. The lintel is a picture of Narai 4, the Garuda, and from Kopura on the 3rd floor, there are 7 steps leading up to a 34-meter-long road with a weaving pattern on each side of the road, 9 from each side.
6. Kopura (arch), 2nd floor, built as a Chaturamuk Pavilion There is only one south wall on the northern slopes of Kopura, level 2, the flat ground of the road and two sides of the stairs. Will find the marks on the ground. The stone looks like a round hole. For the pole to be used as a marquee With the chairman of the ceremony sitting in the marquee ceremony to see the dance on the way The door frame of the Khmer inscription states that it was in the reign of King Surayavarman 1, in front of the Mantra, with a straight stairway to the 3 arches and a terrace to the left and right terraces. At the front of the field there are many pieces of images, such as pictures of kings pouring water into the Brahmins.
7. Kopura (archway) 1st floor, built as a Chaturamuk Pavilion Cross-shaped without wall With stairs and arches in all 4 directions, built on a square-recess The stairs up to Kopura, level 1, on the north is a stone stairway that is quite steep. Because it is believed that coming to an audience with the gods Will go with respect and respect in a manner of crouching The east path has a ladder similar to the front, but quite steep. And damaged in many directions as the route goes up and down To Cambodia called “broken stairs”
8. The bathing pond is located on the east side of the path, 12.40 meters away. The rectangular pool is 16.8 meters wide and 37.80 meters long. The stone paneling has a stairway. It is called the Saeng Song pool. It is said to be used for cleansing the body before performing religious ceremonies.
9. Pae Dee Pae is Khmer, which means “ridge or cliff”. According to hearsay, a long time ago, an old monk named “Dee”, a pilgrim came to plant a shelter to live here until his death. The villagers therefore call this stone courtyard “Pae Ta Dee”, which is at the top of Pee Dee above 657 meters above sea level. If measured from the flat hillside of Cambodia about 447 meters high at Pha Pia Ta ridge good There will be the Buddha’s tattoo of Her Royal Highness. Krom Luang Sappasittipha stated that 118 In the past, there was a Thai tricolor flag in Pha Pae Dadi area. At present, only the base of the three colors.

Preah Vihear temple is considered as an important Khmer castle. Both in terms of the history of the construction of Hindu temples And is also an important tourist destination in both Thailand and Cambodia. At present, Khao Phra Viharn National Park covers an area of ​​81,250 Rai and was declared a national park according to The National Park Act 1961, which was announced in the Government Gazette, Book 115, Section 14 Kor, dated 20 March 1998. It is considered the 83rd National Park in the northeast of Thailand.