Visiting Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun

The historic town of Si Thep is located in Phetchabun province, about 7 km east of Route 21 between Saraburi and Phetchabun. It consists of 2 parts, the Inner Town and the Outer Town. Both are surrounded by a moat and both were surrounded by a city walls. But most of the walls & gate's are gone due to looting. I assume that some old temples and houses nearby are build with stones from the ancient city

Most of the artifacts found here are displayed at the National Museum in Bangkok. So I assume that the beautiful statues at the new Information Center are copies. The main attraction points of the park are Khao Klang Nai (with remains of beautiful decorated stucco motives in Dvaravati Buddhism style), Prang Si Thep (build during the Angor period), Prang Song Phi Nong, Khao Klang Nok (located 2 km north of the park), Prang Ruesi (also located about 2 km north of the park).

West of the modern town of Si Thep can be found the Tamorat Cave (on top of a mountain) with Mahayana Buddhist stone carvings. The Greater Khmer Kingdom did spread all over what we now call Thailand, South Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam. Most of the ancient Khmer temples in Thailand can be found in the lower part of the Isaan and I am trying to visit them all. Click on the label Ancient Temples to see all my posting about it.