Preah Theat Toek Chha

Also recorded as Preah Theat Tuk Chha Temple, it is a large sprawling area with the remains of an ancient temple complex that centers on a partially standing brick temple surrounded by the remnants of satellite structures, an outer wall, and further satellite structures.

The entire site is constructed on an east-northeast angle, with large brick temple at its center that also opens to the east and fronted by the remains of a laterite forebody. It features a sandstone doorframe flanked by decorated round columns and topped with a lintel depicting Indra on a wonderfully lifelike Airvata. Around its other sides, false doors formed by the brickwork with emphasized pilasters.

In the sprawl of laterite that surrounds the brick temple, the base structures of several smaller shrines can be seen including one that features an inscription on its doorframe.

A vast array of pedestals are seen around the site including at least one round one.

The outer wall features remains of a large gopura or entrance on the east side and a smaller entrance on the west side near to which a Buddha head from recent times rests.

Outside the walled enclosure, on the north side, there are the remains of at least two more structures

The monastery on the western side of the site features a large statue of Buddha in the forest, a standing Buddha, and a pagoda.

Layout

Site layout comes via Inventaire descriptif des monuments du Cambodge – Lunet de Lajonquière – 1902-1912, which is superb although does not include the ruins just outside the enclosure. A. central shrine – B. aisle (speculated to have had a wooden roof) and colonnade – C. small brick sanctuary, collapsed – D. small edicule opening to the west – E. rectangular laterite building open to the west speculated to be a library or treasury – F. remains of small laterite cells, speculated to be meditation rooms

At that time the French found a reclining Buddha and a Buddha on Naga statue, ornate sema, and fragments of Buddhist deities that were sent to the museum, Lions and lingas were also noted. He also notes Ayomonier sent two statues to the museum, of Brahma and of a female figure. He also notes a stele that had recently had its inscription scraped off, if there was one beforehand.

Historical Photos via Fonds Cambodge – Brahma and the female divinity mentioned earlier, noted as being at the Phnom Penh Museum. Photos taken between 1925 and 1954

Several inscriptions were recorded here

• K. 87 – doorframe edicule C – 10 lines Sanskrit + 21 lines of Khmer
• K. 88 – doorframe edicule F – 2 + 23 lines of Khmer – IC VII, p. 30
• K. 89 – stele with 29 lines of Khmer – IC III, p. 164
• K. 702 – stele with 23 + 2 lines of Sanskrit and 14 lines of Khmer – IC V, p. 222

Getting to the site is quite easy, either from Kampong Thma or Kampong Cham with the roads in good condition. 300 m to the north of this site is a large satellite structure, recorded as Preah Theat Toch. Nearby the ancient site is a modern man-made lake that took advantage of an ancient canal to provide a water resource for farmers and a tourism destination where people can relax, swim and eat (Unsure if that is still operating though). There is also a cluster of ancient sites in the wider area, see the map for Kampong Cham.