Sambor Prei Kuk (Isanapura) សំបូរព្រៃគុហ៍ is an archaeological site in Cambodia located in Kampong Thom Province, 176 km (109 mi) east of Angkor and 206 km (128 mi) north of Phnom Penh.
The now ruined complex dates back to the Pre-Angkorian Chenla Kingdom (late 6th to 9th century), established by king Isanavarman I as central royal sanctuary and capital, known then as "Isanapura" ឦសានបុរ
In 2017, Sambor Prei Kuk was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located on the Eastern bank of the Tonle Sap lake, close to the Steung Saen River, the central part of Sambor Prei Kuk is divided into three main groups.
Each group has a square layout surrounded by a brick wall. The structures of the overall archaeological area were constructed at variable times: the southern and north groups (7th century) by Isanavarman I, who is considered a possible founder of the city and the central group.
The buildings of Sambor Prei Kuk are characteristic of the ...
Sing Buri Province, cradled by the life-giving Chao Phraya and Lopburi Rivers, emerged from ancient Mon-Khmer roots in the Dvaravati era and rose to prominence as a fortified riverside settlement under the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Its name—City of the Lion—stems from a founding legend: a celestial lion spirit descended to protect the land, uniting with a mortal woman to sire Singhapahu, the mythical ancestor whose courage defined the region’s identity.
Wat Phra Prang Muni, established in the late Ayutthaya period over three centuries ago, stands as one of Sing Buri’s most luminous historical treasures. Its defining feature is the elegant Khmer-style prang, a tall, corn-shaped stupa of precise square tiers, adorned with intricate stucco motifs of garudas, nagas, and floral vines—restored in recent decades with shimmering gold leaf that transforms it into a golden spire under the sun.
At the temple’s spiritual heart resides Luang Pho Yen, a graceful stucco image in the Māravijaya ...
Sing Buri Province, nestled along the fertile banks of the Chao Phraya River in central Thailand, traces its origins to the ancient Mon-Khmer settlements that flourished during the Dvaravati period, later flourishing under the Ayutthaya Kingdom as a strategic riverine outpost. The name “Sing Buri” itself derives from local folklore: a mythical lion (singha) spirit is said to have guarded the area, mating with a human woman and fathering a child named Singhapahu, whose lineage symbolically founded the city. This blend of myth and history infuses the region with a quiet pride, evident in its preserved temples, riverside way of life, and enduring agricultural rhythms.
Among these sacred sites stands Wat Prachoti Karam, a serene Ayutthaya-era temple in the Don Kratay area of Bang Krabue Subdistrict, revered for its deep spiritual resonance and architectural grace.
Believed to have been established over four centuries ago, the temple embodies the transitional artistry between Sukhothai and ...
Wat Phra Buddha Saeng Tham, also known as Wat Buddha Sang Dham, is located in Saraburi Thailand, approximately 100 km northeast of Bangkok. Wat Phra Phuttha Saeng Tham (วัดพระพุทธแสงธรรม), which translates to “Temple of the Buddha’s Radiant Dhamma.”
Established in 2012 under the guidance of Phra Khru Phawanakit Koson (Luang Por Somchai), a respected monk of the Dhammayut sect, the temple was constructed on over 300 rai (120 acres) of donated land with the aim of creating a modern center for Buddhist practice, meditation, and community education within the Theravada tradition. Funding came entirely from public donations, reflecting deep local devotion and the cultural practice of merit-making. Though relatively new, it has rapidly become notable for its architectural grandeur and serene spiritual environment.
The temple’s most striking feature is the Great Silver Dome, known as Phra Buddha Mahawihan, a 108-meter-diameter structure shaped like an inverted ...
