Phimai Travel Forum

Is it possible to travel direct from phimai to Surin? Are there many hotels in Phimai and if so which one would you recommend?

Hi -

I don't think there are buses from Phimai direct to Surin. It's easy to backtrack to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) though - there are frequent daytime buses - you should easily pick up a bus to Surin from there.

There are a few hotels in Phimai, but I've only visited during the daytime, so I can't make a personal recommendation. It's a nice town though, well worth a visit.

- Jeremy

I did a couple charity projects in Phimai (archeology digs with Earthwatch) and stayed in the Phimai Inn. There are two Phimai Inn/Hotels, the better one that I stayed in is on the main highway, across the street from the newer bus station. There are two bus stations the older one in the center of town and the other one on the highway.

The address on my Phimai Inn card says 33/1 Bypass Road. The following is a copy from an AOL search:

Thai Travel : Prasat Hin Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
We suggest the Phimai Inn (at about 350 baht) located just outside town (about 1 hour from Khorat ... Hotels, resorts, spas and guesthouses in Bangkok and around Thailand ... etc.

www.thaitravel.info/Phimai/index.htm

http://www.thaitravel.info/Phimai/index.htm


Probably a little more than the 350 baht. The rooms have A/C and hot water. There is a pool and a small decent restaurant. They are used to serving Western food and other Asian specialties. You can walk to the Phimai Wat and museum or take a cheap baht bus. There is a huge Banyan Tree exhibit too. Phimai is worth a couple days at least.

Hal

I worked as a volunteer on a archeology project in Phimai a few times and we stayed in the Phimai Inn. Decent basic accomodation, pool, rooms had air and hot water. Restaurant food was okay and price was a bargain. Name of the hotel is the Phimai Inn. This hotel is almost across from the (newer bus station) 33/1 M.14 By-Pass Road. Next to the PTT petrol station. Not exactly in town but only around 15 - 20 minutes to walk to the Phimai Wat and museum. Not to be confused with a Phimai Hotel in town. Tel. number for the Phimai Inn 044-471175, 287228-9. When I was last back in Phimai (2 years ago) the hotel did not have any sign in English outside (they mentioned that they may install one.) Someone at the bus station can point it out. I walked over from the bus station but a baht bus will probably cost 30 baht.

Check out the big banyan tree. Phima Wat is lit up at night, museum is okay. Town is nice and simple and easy to maneuver around.

I took the bus from Bangkok to Khorat and a local bus from that bus station to Phimai. Around 3 hours on the bus from (Mochit) Bangkok and around 1 hour to get to Phimai. Price for bus rides were real cheap.

When I worked on on the dig a few of us took a local songthaew through the Surin area on to Si Saket. Long ride. Back of the pick-up truck was not that comfortable. We were heading for the temple in Cambodia but only accessible from Thailand (http://www.kanjanee.com/kanjanee9.htm) Khao Phra Viharn.

Good luck.

Agreed, Phimai is well worth a visit for a few days. The museum alone takes a whole day of careful study to appreciate. The Phimai hotel in the centre of town is ok and beside where the bus stops (old bus station). Its convenient but difficult for parking vewhicles. fan room on 5th florr B250

Phimai hotel out near the new bus station POR GOR SOR MY is more spaciuous , has a swimming pool and small restaurant, now B450

there are some small guest houses, never tried but think either hotel is good valuer.

Take a tuk tuk out to Sai Gnam. Its the largest Banyan tree in the world, worth a visist.

There is a new lakeside fish restaurant past the new bus station on the road to jakkarat going south but you have to use a tuk tuk and a local who should know it. There is supposed to be a tourist info office near the main market, never used it but they might know - dont bet on it.

Dont expect anyone to speak much english and there's no night life you should go near, especially local karaokes where youths hang out.
I wouldnt describe it as a hospitable place, safe enough if you dont get stupid, but very insular and rural unless you have a local lass to instroduce you around