Prei Prasat (Romdoah Srae, Choam Khsant)

Located around 7km south of Choam Khsant village, Prei Prasat is surrounded by forest and a developing farming area. The partly standing temple (uncleared as of 02/23) features a single central shrine flanked by libraries all enclosed by a laterite wall with remnants on an entrance gopura on the east.

Navigating around the trees, you can see the two libraries still standing in part and constructed in sandstone with a superstructure/foor in other material, perhaps wood, that’s now long gone or perhaps uncompleted noting the absence of final decorative carving. The central shrine stands tall on a high laterite terrace and it too is constructed of sandstone, open to the east with false doors on the other sides still visible. The central tower likely had a superstructure/main body formed in brick and perhaps a forebody noting the mass of material in the undergrowth. The door columns of the east entrance support a lintel, both of which are undecorated. The outer enclosure wall, built of laterite, features a peak cap consistent with many other sites in Preah Vihear.

The trail leading to the site is quite characterful, with some very cool improvised bridges to tackle the rainy season, and there is the odd farmer here and there along the way pioneering new ground as people in Preah Vihear do.

Rodney Charles LHuillier

Living in Asia for over a decade and now residing in beautiful Siem Reap - Contact via [email protected] - more..