Prasat Ban Bu — Attraction in Buri Ram Province

Prasat Ban Bu.

The Mahayana Buddhist Khmer emperor Jayavarman VII (1181 - ca. 1220 AD) initiated the construction of 121 Vahni-griha or “Houses of Fire” along the routes throughout his kingdom. "Prasat Ban Bu" is one of these locations.

Seventeen Dharmasala were constructed on the route from Angkor to the Mahayana Buddhist sanctuary in Phimai of which eight are on the Thai side, while the remaining are in Cambodia. The rest houses were built in the Bayon style of late 12th to early 13th century. Spaced approximately 12 to 15 kilometres apart, they were an easy day’s walk from one to the next. Although the rest houses on the longer eastern road from Angkor to Chapa were built in sandstone, these on the Phimai road were in laterite.

Seven of the eight discovered Dharmasala in NE-Thailand are made of laterite with only the door- and window-frames made of sandstone. Their size is relatively small: Approximately 4 by 15 meters. The western part is adorned with a spire. Only the southern wall has windows. A pedestal for a religious image can be found inside the western door. The orientation of the eastern door varies from 50.0º to 97.5º - none of them cardinally, straight 90º east.

The Dharmasala Prasat Ban Bu is situated in the Ban Bu local school in Chorakhae Mak Sub-district of Prakhon Chai District in Buriram Province. The structure is in a ruined state. There was originally a laterite tower with a long entrance hall, measuring 11.5 x 5.1 m. Only the walls of this chapel remain. The only in situ carving is a rosette-shaped sandstone panel, which must have been brought here from another temple of an earlier period.

GPS coordinates (WGS 84): N14.533783, E102.979302.

You have to gain entry through the school grounds turn right then right again you can see the prasat just of the road. See google map.

Photos taken with: Nikon D70s, with 18-70mm lens with Hoya 720nm IR filter - These photos are near infrared, processed in Nikon NX-D & Gimp 2.8. Normal colour photos with D5200, with Tokina 11-16mm lens processing in Photo element 11...

The architecture of the temple located inside the school is little unique as you have cylinder arch design for entrance hall and lotus kalasham on the sanctum tower has fallen down.The step well at the entrance side is over filled and water has formed small moat around the temple and hence you cannot enter it though there are some damaged phallic lingams inside.There are some colorful leaf designs on the outer walls that gives an idea of how beautiful the temple could have been in the...

A hidden gem in Buriram! If you're into ancient Khmer-style architecture, Prasat Ban Bu is absolutely worth the visit. It's quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by greenery, perfect for a short historical detour. The site is well-preserved, with beautiful laterite stonework and a calm atmosphere—no crowds, no hassle. I went early in the morning and had the whole place to myself. Great spot for photos and a peaceful walk. Highly recommended if you're nearby or exploring historical...