Phimai
From World travel guide
Phimai (พิมาย) is a town in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand.
Contents |
Get in
Local buses run regularly from Korat.
Get around
The town itself is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. Visiting the Banyan Tree requires renting a bicycle, motorcycle, or taxi.
See
Phimai is famous for the Phimai Historical Park and its Khmer temples, among the best-preserved in Thailand and similar (if much smaller) than those in Angkor Wat.
The largest banyan tree in Thailand is located approximately 2 km outside the center of town.
Do
Buy
The night market takes place every evening from 4 pm to 9 pm in the center of town. The Monday market takes place each Monday on the outskirts of town, near the new bus terminal and the Phimai Inn. The 8 market takes place on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of each month beyond the South gate of Phimai, alongside the road leading to Baitey's and the Vocational School.
Eat
The night market offers cheap food for more adventurous visitors (don't expect to be able to identify everything on display). Baitey's Restaurant, in its new location 1 km south of the city center, serves popular Thai and Chinese dishes, along with a few Western staples, in a scenic open-air setting. A small, unnamed restaurant behind 7-11 is another good choice with an extensive English menu.
Drink
The most obvious choice for late-night entertainment is a restaurant next to 7-11 and across from the night market, in the center of town. Serving beer and whiskey until 1 or 2 am, this is a popular spot for young Thais (and foreigners) to gather for celebrations and musical performances (a young man plays guitar and sings every evening and will even play a handful of popular English songs when there is a foreigner in attendance). There are also various karaoke bars scattered in and around the city.
Sleep
The Phimai Hotel in the heart of the town offers air-conditioned rooms. The Phimai Inn is slightly more upscale and has a swimming pool and restaurant, but is a hike from town. The Old Phimai Guesthouse offers clean budget rooms and dorms in the center of town and is run by a friendly Thai family who are more than happy to answer any questions visitors might have. The guesthouse also has a communal front porch, kitchen, and book exchange, as well as tourist information posted in the lobby.
Get out
Buses run approximately every twenty minutes from 6 am to 7 pm to Korat.
External links
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