One section of the marsh used to create a reservoir.
Interesting new ubosot (ordination hall) at Wat Pa Ban Sat
The acoustics inside are amazing
Bell and drum tower at Wat Pa Ban Sat
Lotus pond at Wat Pa Ban Sat
My kind of road at Ban Sat village
Road to Bueng Phutsa
Bridge over irrigation canal
Panorama of Bueng Phutsa
Ancient Khmer prang (tower) at Wat Prang Torng
There were probably three towers when first built by the Khmer in the 10th century. This one is in poor condition and was poorly restored about 100 years ago. Except for the entrance and stone lintel, the original tower probably looked nothing like this.
There are at least two other Khmer sites within a kilometer of Wat Prang Torn. One is Wat Bon, which is now just a pile of old bricks and stones. No attempt has been made to restore it. The other is Wat Fang which is just a few stones scattered about a modern day school. Photos of Wat Bon here: Wat Bon
There is no sandstone locally, so all of this was quarried and brought in from at least 60K away. I think these large building blocks were once part of a structure much larger than the existing tower.
This stone lintel was probably part of another tower. Like the existing tower, the lintel depicts the Hindu god Indra riding his three headed elephant, Erawan.
Another lintel that may have been part of a tower. This one probably depicts Vishnu with two Naga (serpents)
No idea. The stone on the lower left looks like a Khmer-style cap for a tower. The stone a wood tablets are probably Buddhist.
This is the altar in the ubosot at Wat Prang Torn.
This beautiful Khmer stone carving is built into the altar, close to the floor in the back. It is difficult to see and photograph because there is little pace and not much light.
Close up of the right side of the carving.
Close up of the left side of the carving. The figure on the right (third from the left) may depict Ishana, an aspect of Shiva who is sometimes depicted as riding a bull.
Taken from the back of the altar. Many wonderful Buddha images.
