Angkor Thom South Side

A short visit was intended which turned out to be a long day spent first at some temples opposite the southern wall of Angkor Thom, then along the south west arm of the baray to Prasat Chrung Southwest - ប្រាសាទជ្រុង និរតី before entering Angkor Thom through the South Gate. On to Baphuon - ប្រាសាទ​បាពួន and then walking through the local Bon Om Touk (Water Festival) celebration in the Angkor Thom Royal Square in front of the Terrace of the Elephants - ព្រះពន្លាជល់ដំរី​ before going over to the remnants of Prasat Suor Prat - ប្រាសាទស៊ូរព្រាត.
Due to the large number of photos I’ve split them into three pages covering: the outside of Angkor Thom, The southern Gate and Baphuon and the festival and Prasat Suor Prat.

2. Prasat Bei - ប្រាសាទបី
Prasat Bei is only about 300 metres (if that) north west from Baksei Chamkrong Temple; it consists three short towers that sit on a low laterite platform. Construction commenced in the 10th century, but was never completed. As we were walking around we saw a place that was offering boat trips along the south west arm of the baray and thought since we were here: “why not”, even though it was a very touristy thing to do, but as it also included a stop off at Prasat Chrung Southwest it seemed a good way to go. 

3. Prasat Chrung Southwest - ប្រាសាទជ្រុង និរតី
Each of the four corners of Angkor Thom have a Prasat Chrun built to commemorate “the deeds of Jayavarman VII and [each] housed a stele [since moved elsewhere] extolling his accomplishments.” All of the towers were built on top of the wide city walls making access to them difficult and while the South East one is reputed to be the best preserved the South West is probably the most accessible (by water and road). See Asian Historical Architecture.