Anastylosis with Technical Analysis of the Restoration of Phimai Historical Park in Thailand

Boonthai, Worrawit; Witchayangkoon, Bhattraradej; Arab, Yasser; Hassan, Ahmad Sanusi

:: International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies

http://TuEngr.com

ISSN 2228-9860
eISSN 1906-9642
CODEN: ITJEA8

FEATURE PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE

Vol.17(1) (2026)

Anastylosis with Technical Analysis of the Restoration of Phimai Historical Park in Thailand

Worrawit Boonthai (Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University, THAILAND),
Bhattraradej Witchayangkoon (Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, THAILAND),
Yasser Arab (Department of Architectural Engineering, Dhofar University, SULTANATE of OMAN), and
Ahmad Sanusi Hassan (School of Housing, Building and Planning, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, MALAYSIA).

Discipline: Multidisciplinary (Archaeology, Civil & Architectural Engineering, Heritage Conservation & Management).
➤ FullText

doi: 10.14456/ITJEMAST.2026.6

Keywords: Corbel method; Angkor; Anastylosis process; Prasat Hin Phimai; Korean-Thai joint research; French-Thai collaboration; Prang restoration; Structural safety evaluation; Nakhon Ratchasima; Thailand's Fine Arts Department; Cultural heritage protection; The Venice Charter (1964); Heritage deterioration; The Athens Charter (1931).

Abstract
Phimai Historical Park (Prasat Hin Phimai) (PHP) is the largest and most significant Khmer temple complex in Thailand. The restoration of PHP is a landmark achievement using anastylosis combined with civil/architectural engineering methodologies. This paper analyzes the multi-phased restoration of PHP. Also, this work studies the technical approaches, innovations, and conservation philosophies used from the French-Thai collaboration (1964-1969) and the Korean-Thai joint research (2016-2020). This study uses restoration archives, technical reports, historical documents, and conservation literature. This study uses five key aspects. First, this study learns the historical background of the anastylosis. Second, the engineering difficulties are associated with the reassembly of stone via the corbel technique. Third, the material science related to the deterioration of sandstone and laterite. Fourth, the safety assessment and classification system. Fifth, the formulation of comprehensive conservation frameworks. The key findings indicate that anastylosis is the standard restoration practice for the conservation of Khmer monuments in Thailand, with dismantling, coding, and reassembling the central prang using original materials. The Korean-Thai joint research identified many points required systematic safety evaluation, with Prang Hin Daeng receiving the most critical classification requiring immediate intervention. The structural damage identified patterns as separation, tilt, swelling, differential settlement, breakage, dropout, and collapse. Also, this work learns material deterioration mechanisms (weathering, abrasion, cracking, peeling). This research prioritized restoration stages, enhancements in visitor management, and the creation of a thorough maintenance system via modern conservation technology.
Paper ID: 17A1F

Cite this article:

Boonthai, W., Witchayangkoon, B., Arab, Y., and Hassan, A.S. (2026). Anastylosis with Technical Analysis of the Restoration of Phimai Historical Park in Thailand. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 17(1), 17A1F, 1-23. http://doi.org/10.14456/ITJEMAST.2026.6

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