The south of Isaan was under the influence of the Khmer Empire for a long time. Thus it is not surprising that the Thailand’s most beautiful monuments from this era can be found in this region.
This is the reason why we do not take the direct way to Lop Buri but drive a bend to the south near the Cambodian border. Here we visit the temple complex Phanom Rung and Prasat Muang Tam.
On the way from Phanom Rung to Prasat Muang Tam, we come to Prasat Kuti Rishi Nong Boa Lai, a former hospital. What remains are only the spiritual parts. The treatment and recovery rooms were made of wood and of course, weathered. During the reign of King Jayarvaman VII, one built 102 hospitals in the Khmer Empire.
In front of Prasat Kuti Rishi Nong Boa Lai, we see the first time how the rural population dries their grain. They simply spread it out on the street. Yet, one lane of the carriageway remains free for traffic.
A friendly farmer’s wife even wanted to invite us to dinner, but our guide had already reserved elsewhere. In a private shrine, a family member is performing his prayer.
In Nang Rong, we stop for lunch in a nicely decorated restaurant.
At the entrance of Wat Khun Kong, wooden soldiers guard the access.
We continue our journey and arrive at the Lam Takhong Dam, the first pumped-storage power plant in Thailand. Here we reach the Thanon Mittraphap, the so-called Friendship Highway, built by the Americans in the 60s and 70s. It is interesting how the Americans turn the term of things into the opposite by marketing shells.
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More InformationFor the construction of the Friendship Highway one brutally cut a lane through the organic nature. It served to supply the war members in the Vietnam War with weapons. Right, and left of the highway one has founded nature reserves today. These are the Khao Yai and the Namtok Chet Sao Noi National Park. At the highest point of the street, some shops and restaurants line the street. They are more reminiscent of a western village with a saloon.
After one reaches the lowland again, one sees gigantic cement factories, presumably built for the construction of the street.
In Pak Prieo we turn north and pass through an area characterized by steep limestone cliffs.
As we reach Lop Buri, we already see the first monkeys that populate the area around the Phra Prang Sam Yod temple.
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