Prasat Pueai Noi

Prasat Pueai Noi is an ancient Khmer temple complex in Pueai Noi District, Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. Built in the 12th to early 13th century in Bayon style, associated with the reign of King Jayavarman VII, it is one of the largest and most complete Khmer sanctuaries in the region. Constructed of laterite and sandstone with three prangs on a single laterite base, it shows Hindu origins later adapted for Buddhism and is registered as an ancient monument by the Fine Arts Department.

Visitors can expect a compact, well-preserved Khmer sanctuary set in a flat, open area within Pueai Noi town, enclosed by a laterite wall and outer moat. The complex features three brick and sandstone prangs on a shared platform facing east, with carved lintels, colonnettes, and naga-trimmed causeway. The grounds are grassy with mature trees, information boards, and pathways around the main shrine. It is a quiet archaeological site for walking, photography, and close viewing of Khmer architecture without large crowds.

Prasat Pueai Noi was constructed in the late 12th to early 13th century during the Khmer Empire, in Bayon style under King Jayavarman VII. Originally a Hindu shrine, likely dedicated to Shiva, it was later used as a Mahayana Buddhist sanctuary. Built of laterite, sandstone and brick, it represents the expansion of Angkorian influence into northeastern Thailand (Isan) and is registered as an ancient monument by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand.

The site reflects the Hindu-Buddhist religious transition in Isan and the Khmer cultural heritage of northeastern Thailand. It remains a respected local sacred site and an important example of Khmer art and architecture for education and cultural tourism, illustrating the region's historical connection to the Angkor civilization.