Tra Pieng Tia (Ta Pieng Tia Castle)

Tra Pieng Tia or Ta Pieng Tia castle is located at Ban Nhong Kao, Tambon Ta Pieng Tia, Amphoe Lumduan, Surin. The castle is a stupa built from bricks, facing the east. The plan is 4-layer square plan with the budding lotus at the top. Considering from its architecture, the castle is of contemporary Laos and late Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin period.Tra Pieng Tia is local Khmer language. “Tra Pieng” means the pond or the hole dug by human or Barai pond often found in every Khmer castle of natural pond. The word “Tia” refers to ducks. Therefore, the meaning of “Tra Pieng Tia” is the duck pond. It is presumed that in the past, there were migrated ducks living in this area.Apart from this castle, there are other Khmer castles in Surin province one should pay a visit. At Amphoe Prasart, there are Hin Ban Pluang castle, Ban Prasart castle, Ban Plai castle. At Amphoe Phanom Dong Rak, there are Ta Muen Toj castle, Ta Muen Thom castle, Ta Muen castle. At Amphoe Sikoraphom, there are Sikoraphom castle and Ban Chang Pii castle. At Amphoe Lumduan, there is TraPieng Tia (which means the duck pond). At Amphoe Sangkla, there is Phumpon castle while at Amphoe Chom Pra, there is Chom Pra castle. To go to Tra Pieng Tia castle, take Highway Number 2077, turn into laterite road and drive for another 7 kilometres.