Prasat Chatomuk (The statue of standing Buddha), Preah Vihear Province

Prasat Chatomuk is a temple located within the Bakan temple complex (Preah Khan of Kampong Svay) in Ta Saeng village, Ronak Ser commune, Sangkum Thmei district, Preah Vihear province.

This temple has been partially collapsed for a long time, with only the structure from the waist down remaining.

Thanks to the care and support of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the restoration project for Prasat Chatomuk was officially launched on March 19, 2018, under the leadership of Samdech Kittisangahapundit Men Sam An.

Prasat Chatomuk was built in the 12th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. The temple features four Buddha statues standing back-to-back, each approximately 10 meters tall.

King Jayavarman VII built this temple to dedicate it to the Mahayana Buddhist faith, featuring the four-faced image of the Bodhisattva Lokeshvara, facing the four cardinal directions.

The four faces represent the Four Brahmaviharas: Loving-kindness (Metta), Compassion (Karuna), Sympathetic Joy (Mudita), and Equanimity (Upekkha), in accordance with Buddhist philosophical teachings.

Prasat Chatomuk is located about 90 kilometers from the provincial capital of Preah Vihear. Tourists can travel approximately 60 kilometers along National Road No. 62, then turn right onto a dirt road for another 30 kilometers.

As someone who has personally visited Prasat Chatomuk, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Royal Government of Cambodia for its attention and initiative in restoring this temple, even though it had once collapsed nearly to the ground.

Finally, I would like to respectfully call on the relevant authorities, citizens, and all tourists to actively participate in preserving and protecting this temple to help promote Buddhism and enhance the value of our Khmer cultural heritage.