Grand First-Time Ceremony Honors Khana Prasat and Battlefield Heroes Monument in Surin
Surin held its first grand merit-making ceremony at the ancient Khana Prasat temple on the Thai-Cambodian border on May 15, following Thailand's military recovery of the site during a December 2024 border conflict. The 1,100-year-old Hindu
Surin held its first grand merit-making ceremony at the sacred Khana Prasat on May 15, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., organized by Kab Choeng District officials, Naeng Moo Subdistrict Administration, and local residents following the December 2024 border conflict in which Thai troops pushed Cambodian forces out of the area.
Deputy Governor Prabhas Srijuntuaviang presided over the ceremony, which drew over 300 classical dancers and numerous visitors from both the local area and beyond. Attendees toured the Khana Prasat site located on the Phanom Dong Rak ridge along the Thai-Cambodian border south of Naeng Moo village in Kab Choeng District, Surin Province.
The Khana Prasat was discovered by Border Patrol Police Unit 216 and reported to the Fine Arts Department's Nakhon Ratchasima office, which conducted surveys in September 2001. The survey revealed a three-building brick temple with an eastern entrance, surrounded by laterite stone walls measuring approximately 39.50 meters per side. The structure shows signs of deterioration, with scattered architectural fragments including octagonal doorframe columns and carvings of three-headed elephants, seated figures, and Shiva lingams with visible Vishnu elements.
Based on archaeological evidence, Khana Prasat is believed to be a Hindu sanctuary constructed around the 15th Buddhist century—approximately 1,100 years ago—representing an important archaeological site demonstrating ancient human settlement in the Phanom Dong Rak ridge area of Lower Northeast Thailand.
Today's ceremony included merit-making at the temple and laying wreaths at a monument honoring soldiers who gave their lives protecting Khana Prasat. Local residents and visitors expressed pride in Thailand's military recovery of the site and pleasure that the Fine Arts Department has officially registered Khana Prasat as a Thai archaeological monument. Attendees photographed the area and the views overlooking the Cambodian side as souvenirs.
