Banteay Thom is an off-the-beaten-path temple that hosts few visitors. Its isolation, however, is the greatest aspect of its charm; the temple may not be particularly impressive, but the atmosphere is excellent.
Banteay Thom is technically part of the Angkor ‘Grand Tour’ but it is right at the very northwestern tip of this circuit and as such doesn’t really attract a huge number of visitors. This is a shame since the temple ruins here contain considerable allure and the journey to reach them passes through lovely landscapes and a working elephant farm.
Walking is not really a practical approach to Banteay Thom since it is over 12kms northwest of Preah Khan temple, the next largest ‘Grand Tour’ attraction. Plenty of tuk-tuk drivers wait at Preah Khan and the return trip will usually cost around US$10.
Visitors who have rented their own bicycles will really enjoy the tree lined route towards Banteay Thom and the terrain in and around the temple, which is regularly manicured. Because Banteay Thom is quite an open space, it gets quite hot here and full sun protection needs to be worn at all times of the day.
While nothing at Banteay Thom compares to the grandeur of Angkor Wat or other magnificent attractions such as Bayon, there are more than enough lintel carvings and other engravings to keep the average temple hunter happy for half an hour or more.
Need to Know
- What is it: A remote temple that visitors rarely explore.
- When to visit: Early in the day or late in the afternoon when the heat of the day is less intense.
- Nearest Town: Siem Reap
- Don’t Miss: The scenic ride to the temple and the solitude of the remote temple complex.