Wat Phu Tok Khmer Sanctuary Si Sa Ket

Wat Phu Tok Khmer Sanctuary, also known as Prasat Hin Phu Khao Thong, located in Kanthararom District of Si Sa Ket Province, represents an important 11th-century Khmer sandstone temple that served as a regional religious center in the Khmer Empire’s northeastern territories. The temple complex, constructed during the Baphuon period in the 11th century CE, is dedicated to Shiva, with the main prasat housing evidence of lingam worship and extensive ritual activity. The complex features a rectangular laterite enclosure wall, accessed through a single eastern gopura that leads to the inner courtyard containing the main prasat and associated structures. The main prasat, constructed from pink sandstone and laterite, rises approximately 18 meters and features a square plan with porches extending in cardinal directions, though significant portions have collapsed over centuries. The temple’s lintels and pediments, carved from pink sandstone, depict scenes from Hindu mythology, including Shiva’s cosmic dance, various deities, and mythological scenes, though many have been damaged or removed. The complex includes libraries, subsidiary shrines, and evidence of a drainage system. Archaeological evidence indicates the temple served as both a religious center and administrative hub for the Khmer Empire’s control over the region. The site has undergone partial restoration since the 1990s, involving structural stabilization and conservation of remaining decorative elements. Today, Wat Phu Tok Khmer Sanctuary remains an important site for understanding Khmer temple architecture in northeastern Thailand, attracting visitors interested in its historical significance and architectural features. ([1][2])