Prasat Prei Prasat & Banteay Thom
Home Access to Angkor Monuments & Photos Destinations Key Knowledge Features Practicalities Hotels & Guesthouses
The temples, embedded in picturesque wilderness, are located near Nokor Krau (or 'Angkor Krau') village, just north of Angkor Thom. They are in Bayon style, constructed with sandstone and laterite about 1200.

Prasat Prei Prasat, locally called 'Prasat Chan Ta Oun' consists of a single tower with mandapa, plus a fire shrine, all enclosed by a laterite wall with gates to east & west.
It is surrounded by a chain of water basins, bordered by laterite steps. These water basins had to supply the monks. The entire compound was enclosed by a moat.
The temple made the centre of a Buddhist monastery. The base of the tower's walls is sheathed by a second wall, decorated like a half gallery.
The pediment relief at the east entrance shows the standing Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara between Vishnu & Brahma. His face is scratched out. - Album

Banteay Thom ('The Big Citadel') has three stately towers, lined north-south, and two fire shrines, enclosed by a gallery with gates to west and, much bigger, to east. (Map)
Similar to Prasat Prei Prasat there are a series of water basins in the outer enclosure, here enclosed by a laterite wall. This enclosure wall opens to the east and west with gates. A cruciform terrace precedes the stately east gate.
The arrangement of the towers is peculiar, like at a Shiva temple. There are numerous reliefs; the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are scratched out.
Recently many Devata reliefs were rudely damaged.
See the 'Great Departure' at the south face of the southern tower.

Access: A new laterite road branches north from the road west of Angkor Wat, after 1.5 km. Follow this road some 4.5 km.
After the big bridge, just before the next, smaller bridge you find a stall at the right side, were they sell water and sugar cane juice. Here you ask for Ghim.
Ghim, 17, is living nearby. (His sister can also make the job.) Ask Ghim for 'Banteay Thom'. There you ask him for 'Prasat Chan Ta Oun'. He will show you the way.
You need a motor bike and dust protection; the Angkor ticket is not required. It is a fine and easy morning trip.

Photo albums
Prasat Prei Prasat

Album Banteay Thom

Credits & References

Lajonquière (map of Banteay Thom, modified)
Roveda 2005, p. 412.
Google Earth.
Prasat Prei Prasat Banteay Thom