Prang Sam Yot

The actual date of construction was unknown. However, as laterite was the chief building material decorated with stucco which echoes those of the late 12th to early 13th century khmer temple in Thailand in the reign of Jayavarman VII. Prang Sam Yot should therefore be constructed around the same time. During the Ayutthaya period in the reign of King Narai, the temple was rebuild with an addition of the vihara at the front.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 53, part 34, on 27 September 1935.

Full restoration started in 1993 before which the towers were heavily damaged, cracked vertically and huge gaps between laterite blocks. Furthermore, due to heavy traffics around the complex, this caused the ground to slightly subside.

Prang Sam Yot is a laterite ancient khmer temple. It was exclusively built with laterite except for the sandstone at the pediments and other minor parts. During the Ayutthaya period, brickworks were applied at the windows. Now stucco decoration has been mostly gone.

The main sanctuary consists of three linked tower on the north-south axis and are oriented toward the east, All three towers share the same architectural style but the central tower being the tallest. The main sanctuary is in an indented plan with portico on four sides. Inside eace tower contains a base for the statue which is now removed. The superstructure comprises 5 tiers of scaled-down roofs topped with a lotus bud ornament, originally there should be a nine-tiered trident which is now lost.

Prang Sam Yot is the largest ancient khmer temple in Lopburi province. It is also one of the most important examples of Jayavarman VII’s architecture which greatly demonstrates Lopburi or Lavo's significance in his reign.

Professor MC. Subhatradis Diskul suggested that the central tower possibly housed the statue of Buddha sheltered by naga, whereas the south tower housed the Avalokitesvara statue and the north tower accommodated the Prajnaparmita statue.

ศิลปากร, กรม, ทะเบียนโบราณสถาน. กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2532.

สุภัทรดิศ ดิศกุล, หม่อมเจ้า. ศิลปะสมัยลพบุรี. กรุงเทพฯ : มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร, 2547.