Khok Tuek
| Native Name | โคกตึก, គោកទឹក |
|---|---|
| Alternative name | Kok Tuek, Prasat Tuek Eeka |
| BA# | T60017 |
| Size | Medium |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Type | Temple, Arogyasala |
| Location | |
| Commune | Kok Dua |
| District | Phaisali |
| Province | Nakhon Sawan |
| Country | Thailand |
| Coordinates | 15.65743, 100.63396 |
| History | |
| Founded | Late 12th Century |
| Builder | Jayavarman VII, Indravarman II (?) |
| Art Style | Bayon |
| Material | Laterite |
| Religion | Buddhist |
| Deity | Lokesvara |
Khok Tuek (โคกตึก - Pronounced: Kohk Took)
An isolated clump of trees, amid vast expanses of paddy-fields, is home to the ruins of a small laterite tower. There are traces of excavations by probable treasure hunters and looters and some of the blocks are scattered around the area although enough remains in situ to identify a square tower with the remains of an east-facing entrance porch. Beyond this, compacted sand indicates a rectangular courtyard area with Khmer-style roof tiles and fragments of pottery discernable while a small pond is situated immediately to the northeast. (These details were noted during an earlier, dry season survey, (see external link below), although when we visited in August 2022 the site was completely overgrown and only upper courses of a laterite wall were visible.)
Although a 'library' building and enclosing wall are absent, certain researchers (see link) have pointed out the similarity in layout to that of a Bayon-period arogyasala. In this case, however, the shrine appears to be unfinished and it is conceivable that the construction timeframe coincided with the decline in Angkorian political control during the first half of the 13th century. A group of large laterite blocks found aside the track to the east may fit with this theory and could conceivably correspond to remnants of an eastern gopura but this is speculative.
Any sandstone elements or decoration have long since gone, (if they ever existed), and so, while the presence of a late Khmer shrine on the site can be confirmed, its function as an arogyasala or hospital chapel remains speculative.
Map Location
Image Gallery
Small reservoir located south of the site
View from the south
Laterite blocks aside the track to the south
The site was completely overgrown during our trainy season visit
Blocks in the paddy-field a short distance to the south may correspond to remnants of an enclosing wall
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Historic Archive
A collection of historic photographs, artist sketches, maps etc. (Please ensure that anything you do upload is free of copyright and/or you have permission from the original photographer/artist/author to share)
Nearby Sites
External Links
Links to additional resources such as articles, websites, videos etc.
Detailed description and photos of Kok Tuek and nearby sites
References