Phimai Travel Guide

City Historical city in Nakhon Ratchasima

Phimai’s Khmer temple draws history-minded travelers: a well-preserved 11th‑century prasat in Phimai Historical Park, surrounding Isan food stalls, riverside walks and festivals that revive old Khmer processions.

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.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

7:25 AM

GMT+7

Weather

83°F

Mostly Clear

Population

13,084

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good bus links, walkable town center, modest English at tourist sites.

Popularity

Moderately visited by cultural tourists and Thai weekenders.

Known For

Phimai Historical Park, Khmer temple architecture, annual Phimai Festival, sandstone ruins, cycling routes, nearby national parks, local crafts, rice paddies

Phimai Historical Park contains one of Thailand's largest Khmer temples and links to Angkor by an ancient royal road.

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

All Attractions ›

Phimai Historical Park

Khmer temple complex predating Angkor, in northeastern Thailand

Archaeological Site

Khorat Plateau

Extensive plateau in northeastern Thailand, agricultural region

Plateau

Phimai national museum

Museum displaying Khmer artifacts from Phimai historical park

Museum

Ban Prasat

Village in northeastern Thailand

Ruins

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.

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

November - February · 20 to 28 °C (68 to 82 °F)

Dry, comfortably warm days and cool nights - ideal for temple visits and cycling around rural ruins without heavy rain.

Hot Season

March - May · 28 to 38 °C (82 to 100 °F)

Oppressively hot, especially inland - sightseeing gets sweaty; mornings best for activities, afternoons for shade or a nap.

Rainy Season

June - October · 24 to 32 °C (75 to 90 °F)

Frequent heavy showers and overcast days - lush countryside and fewer tourists, but expect interrupted outdoor plans.

Best Time to Visit Phimai #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit

JanuaryDecemberFebruary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

44°

Warmest Month

9°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

17° – 30°

57%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

5 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

20° – 33°

50%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

16 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 30°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

81 Excellent

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

22° – 35°

54%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

41 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

11.9h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

30°C

Temperature

24° – 36°

60%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

24° – 34°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

146 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (123 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

123 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

146 mm

Rainfall

1.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (165 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

165 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.5h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (211 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

211 mm

Rainfall

1.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

127 mm

Rainfall

1.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

20° – 30°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

24 mm

Rainfall

1.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.3h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

17° – 29°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

1.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.1h daylight

How to Get to Phimai

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Phimai #

Phimai town is compact and easy to walk between guesthouses, markets and the temple complex. For sightseeing around the district use songthaews, local tuk‑tuks or rent a motorbike for the day. Tuk‑tuk and songthaew rides are inexpensive; bike or motorbike rentals are common for visitors-carry ID and check conditions before renting.

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.

Thai

Coffee Shop

International

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.