Prasat Ta Moan Thom (ប្រាសាទតាមាន់ធំ)
A unique and sizeable temple site that straddles the Cambodian and Thai border. The temple is claimed by both countries, where in Cambodia it resides in Banteay Ampil district, Oddor Meanchey province, whilst on the Thai side it sits in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province.
Just northwest across the border on the Thai side of the border are Prasat Ta Muen Toch one of King Jayavarman VII's arogyasalas, and Prasat Ta Muen one of King Jayavarman VII's dharmasalas. The three temple sites was an important pit stop for travelers between Angkor in Siem Reap and Prasat Hin Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima. Recently, to the southwest a small temple shrine was discovered by the name Prasat Damrei Troam
The temple site has an unusual layout in the sense that it actually opens to the south with a laterite step platform that faces to the lower plains in modern day Cambodia, when most Khmer temples traditionally open to the east. The site is attributed to King Udayadityavarman II and built in the 11th century dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main elongated pink sandstone temple shrine was built on the natural rock as a foundation, and the builders took advantage of this by carving a linga in the central shrine into the bedrock and carved a channel in the bedrock to act as a somasutra out of the temple. To the north of the central shrine, are 2 other sandstone towers and to the east and west of the central shrine are the remains of two laterite structures. The temple site is surrounded by a corridor enclosure, though only the west, north and east corridors remain standing, the east corridor is all but gone.
Most of the intricately carved reliefs, have all been pillaged allegedly during the years of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's.
When visiting the site, please be respectful as the site is still patrolled by the army on both sides of the border and you may be escorted by army personnel from each side.