The Sdok Kok Thom Temple in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province will be Thailand’s next official historical park. Inscriptions from the 11th century temple are the primary source for the founding of Angkor in 802.
Almost 1,000 years ago, this grand Khmer architecture was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and called Pattharatekla, according to an inscription. After 20 years of restoration, Sdokkokthom Sanctuary, 34km from the Thai-Cambodian border in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province, has become a popular attraction since 2014. Beginning in April next year, it will officially open as Thailand’s 11th historical park.
The temple was established in 1052 by King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066) as a present to his Brahmin teacher Srijayentravarman, or Sathashiva, who performed the coronation ceremony for him. The teacher later left the priesthood and married a daughter of King Suryavarman I. King Udayadityavarman II ruled the Khmer kingdom from 1050 to 1066 and was the successor of King Suryavarman I.
