PhimaiPhimai at a Glance
Costs: $25-60 per day (budget to comfortable) - reasonably priced with guesthouses, local food and guided tours.
Safety: Safe for tourists and families - very safe; low violent crime and friendly local community.
Best Time: November-February - cool, dry weather ideal for temple visits and festivals.
Why Visit Phimai?
A small town with outsized historical appeal thanks to its Khmer heritage, this destination attracts history and culture fans. Phimai’s principal draw is Phimai Historical Park, one of Thailand’s most important Khmer temple sites, alongside provincial markets and Isaan culinary specialties such as som tam and sticky rice. Seasonal festivals celebrate ancient architecture and local crafts, while the town’s relaxed pace provides an easy gateway to explore northeastern Thai culture and nearby rural landscapes.
Best Things to Do in Phimai
Archaeological Site
Phimai Historical Park
Khmer temple complex predating Angkor, in northeastern Thailand
Plateau
Khorat Plateau
Extensive plateau in northeastern Thailand, agricultural region
Museum
Phimai national museum
Museum displaying Khmer artifacts from Phimai historical park
Ruins
Ban Prasat
Village in northeastern Thailand
Phimai Bucket List
Don't Miss
Phimai Historical Park (Prasat Hin Phimai) - Major Khmer temple complex with well-preserved sandstone temples dating to the tenth century.
Phimai National Museum - Museum showcasing regional Khmer artifacts, sculptures and information about Phimai’s archaeological heritage.
Phimai Night Market - Evening market offering Thai street food, crafts, and local atmosphere near the historical park.
Hidden Gems
Local silk-weaving workshops - Small family workshops demonstrating traditional silk weaving and selling handmade textiles by appointment.
Samrong Waterfall - Nearby waterfall set in forested surroundings, good for short hikes and cooling swims.
Rural bicycle routes - Quiet country lanes around Phimai offering easy cycling past rice fields and small villages.
Day Trips
Prasat Hin Phanom Rung - Khmer hilltop temple complex on extinct volcano, roughly ninety minutes away.
Khao Yai National Park - Scenic national park with hiking trails, wildlife sightings and waterfalls, accessible by car.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Phimai
Phimai is best in the cool, dry season (November-February) for comfortable temple touring. Hot season is intense, and the rainy months bring heavy showers though the landscape is greener.
Cool Season
Dry, comfortably warm days and cool nights - ideal for temple visits and cycling around rural ruins without heavy rain.
Hot Season
Oppressively hot, especially inland - sightseeing gets sweaty; mornings best for activities, afternoons for shade or a nap.
Rainy Season
Frequent heavy showers and overcast days - lush countryside and fewer tourists, but expect interrupted outdoor plans.
Phimai's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with very hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 17°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1078 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 17° - 30° | 24° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 1.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| February | Ideal | 20° - 33° | 26° | 16 mm | mostly sunny | 50% | 1.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| March | Excellent | 22° - 35° | 30° | 41 mm | some cloud | 54% | 1.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 24° - 36° | 33° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 24° - 34° | 34° | 146 mm | overcast | 74% | 1.2 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.7h |
| June | Acceptable | 24° - 33° | 34° | 123 mm | overcast | 80% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 24° - 33° | 33° | 146 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 33° | 165 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| September | Acceptable | 24° - 32° | 32° | 211 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 1.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Ideal | 20° - 30° | 25° | 24 mm | some cloud | 80% | 1.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.3h |
| December | Ideal | 17° - 29° | 23° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 67% | 1.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
How to Get to Phimai
How to Get Around Phimai
- -
- -
- -
- -
- Walking -
Where to Stay in Phimai
Budget
Phimai town centre - $8-35/night
Phimai town has a handful of simple guesthouses and cheap inns near the historical park. Budget options are basic but convenient for site visits.
Mid-Range
Phimai / Nakhon Ratchasima (nearby) - $30-80/night
Mid-range boutique stays are limited. For more amenities, consider Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) about an hour away, which has several comfortable hotels.
Luxury
Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) - $100+/night
No luxury hotels inside Phimai. Travelers seeking higher-end rooms should stay in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) and commute to the ruins.
Where to Eat in Phimai
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Phimai’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Phimai
Nightlife is quiet and centred on guesthouse bars and small restaurants. There are occasional events around the temple grounds, but no a dense bar or club scene.
Shopping in Phimai
Local markets near the town and temple sell handicrafts, textiles and simple souvenirs aimed at visitors. For more varied shopping, head to the provincial capital, Nakhon Ratchasima.