Prasat Phum Prasat and Tnoat Chum

Two smaller temples of note are located in Santuk and Baray districts.

Prasat Phum Prasat (or “temple of the village where there is a temple”) is an impressive eighth century 12-metre tall brick tower in a pyramidal shape boasting a spectacular and beautifully preserved lintel and finely carved columns flanking the doorway. It’s located a mere 500 metres south of the main highway in Phum Prasat village temple grounds, approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Kompong Thom.

Tnaot Chum is also south of the highway down some five kilometres of decent dirt track in the village of the same name. Another brick tower built to resemble a step pyramid, this dates to the seventh century Sambor period and also has a spectacular sandstone lintel, though this time it’s on the ground adjacent to the tower and not in situ.

Both are worth a look if the opportunity arises and both are situated in attractive and friendly villages devoid of tourists. Allow five minutes for each and entrance to each site is free.