Tourists still flock to Phimai Historical Park

Tourists still flock to Phimai Historical Park

Tourists visit the Khmer ruins in Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima, on Sunday. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)
Tourists visit the Khmer ruins in Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima, on Sunday. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Despite the Fine Arts Department's move to declare a 2,600-rai area in Phimai Municipality a historic site, a large number of tourists were still visiting the Khmer temple ruins in the Phimai Historical Park in Phimai district on Sunday.

Placards and banners opposing the designation are seen all over the area, but they did not seem to distract the tourists.

A group of tourists from Nonthaburi province said Phimai Historical Park is one of the most important Khmer temple ruins in the country - something not to be missed whenever they have a chance to visit, and conveniently located not too far from Bangkok.

The tourists said they agreed with the Fine Arts Department's move. They said the designation would allow the department to renovate and maintain the temple ruins, allowing tourists to learn of the ancient Khmer civilisation dating back over a thousand years.

The department should explain to the local people the pros and cons of declaring the area a historic site, so that both sides can reach an agreement to protect Phimai, one of the world's important tourist destinations, they said.

Yeesoon Singphimai, 81, said she was born in Phimai and therefore is strongly possessive of the Phimai temple ruins.

She said the temple is recognised as an important historical site, particularly since the visit by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in 1955. After the royal visit, Phimai - hitherto little known - became a major tourist attraction, she said.

Mrs Yeesoon said she is not worried by the Fine Arts Department's move to declare the 2,600-rai area a historic site. She believes that people who have lived there for generations will not face eviction, and therefore she did not sign a petition against the move.

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