Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu
An Ancient Khmer Temple on a Hill

✍️ By Doctor Chat

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu is one of the oldest Khmer temples in Thailand. It sits on top of Khao Noi hill in Khlong Nam Sai sub-district, Aranyaprathet, only about 1 kilometer from the Thai–Cambodian border. Locals in Sa Kaeo just call it 'Prasat Khao Noi.' The 'Si Chomphu' part comes from the name of the hill and the temple beside it — it doesn't mean the temple itself is pink, which is a mix-up a lot of people make.

What is Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu, and how old is it?

The temple is thought to have been built around the 7th century AD, during the Chenla–Dvaravati period — even before the age of Angkor Wat. It was later restored in the 10th century. It started out as a Hindu religious site, and all in all it's about 1,300–1,400 years old, which makes it one of the oldest traces of Khmer civilization found anywhere in Thailand.

What makes historians pay attention is the stone inscription found here. It records the Mahasakarat year 559, corresponding to 637 AD, which is considered the oldest dated inscription ever discovered in Thailand. The Fine Arts Department registered the site as a historical monument back in 1935, then came back to excavate and restore it again around 1989.

Originally the temple had three brick towers — the north tower, the central tower, and the south sanctuary — all built from brick laid without mortar. After more than a thousand years, the central tower is the one whose shape is still clearly recognizable, while the other two are reduced to bases and earthen mounds, so you'll need a bit of imagination as you walk around. Even so, the old brick and the masonry have their own kind of charm.

Climbing the 254 steps — get your legs ready

The temple sits on top of Khao Noi, which rises about 100–130 meters above the flat ground. The main route up is a flight of around 254 steps, climbing gradually with landings here and there to catch your breath. If you don't exercise much, you'll find it tiring enough — take it slow, bring water, and go in the morning or late afternoon, which is far more comfortable than the harsh midday sun.

If the stairs really aren't for you, there's an alternative: you can drive around the hill past Wat Khao Noi Si Chomphu and go up about another kilometer, then walk roughly 250 meters more to reach the temple. That cuts out most of the stairs and works well if you're bringing older relatives along — though the last stretch still involves a bit of an uphill walk.

• Shoes — wear sneakers or shoes you can walk comfortably in; some sections of the steps are uneven.
• Water — there's no shop up top, so bring your own.
• Timing — early before it gets hot, or late afternoon when the sun is softer, is easiest to walk and best for photos.
• Rainy season — the steps and stone surface can get slippery, so watch your footing.

What you'll see up top

Once you reach the summit, the first thing you'll see is the central brick tower standing prominently in the middle of the old temple grounds, with the bases of the other two towers around it to explore. It's fairly quiet up there, with big trees for shade and far fewer visitors than the more famous temples elsewhere, so you get a kind of calm that's hard to find.

The other bonus is the view. Because the temple sits on a hilltop, you can see rice fields, villages, and the line of hills along the border stretching out wide. It's a spot a lot of people like to sit and rest in the breeze before heading back down. On the same grounds there's also Wat Khao Noi Si Chomphu, where you can stop to make merit afterward.

How to get there, opening hours, and entry fee

The temple is about 12 kilometers south of Aranyaprathet town. Most people drive their own car or motorbike, since public transport is hard to reach it by. Coming from Sa Kaeo city it's about an hour-plus drive. There are signs along the way for the entrance to Wat Khao Noi Si Chomphu — turn in and park at the temple lot at the bottom, then start the climb from there.

• Opening hours — open for visits during daylight, ideally around 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, since it's an outdoor historical site; avoid going up near dark.
• Entry fee — free; there's no ticket.
• Parking — park at the Wat Khao Noi Si Chomphu lot below and walk up.
• Time needed — roughly 1–1.5 hours including the climb up, the visit, and coming down.

More to do nearby in a single day

Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu doesn't take long to visit, so it fits well into a one-day trip around Aranyaprathet. Here are the nearby spots that people like to pair it with.

If you're planning a full day, start at Prasat Khao Noi Si Chomphu in the morning while it's still cool, then move on to Prasat Sdok Kok Thom or Rong Kluea Market in the late morning to afternoon, and finish with some good food in Aranyaprathet town.

Who it's for, and who it isn't

• Good fit — people who love history and Khmer temples, like quiet, uncrowded places, and don't mind climbing stairs.
• Good fit — photographers who want an angle of ancient ruins paired with hill views.
• Think it over — if you can't manage the stairs, or you're bringing small children or elderly people, take the road around the hill instead.
• Think it over — if you're expecting a big, intact temple like Angkor Wat, not much remains here; you have to enjoy the atmosphere more than the grandeur.