Following Khmer-temple tradition, the temple was oriented facing east.

A portion of the outer gallery enclosing the temple grounds, with the main entry gopura, or entrance pavilion, at center

View from within the outer gallery looking toward the second, inner gallery that encloses the central sanctuary

Within the outer enclosure at Muang Tham, four L-shaped ponds, almost certainly meant to represent the cosmic ocean on which the universe rests, surround an inner gallery and the main sanctuary. The ponds' large size is unusual, creating the appearance of an enclosing moat intersected by broad causeways.

Naga balustrades—one of which is seen here in the foreground—top the embankments circling the ponds, their tails connecting to form low gateways leading into the ponds, most likely used for ritual purposes.

One of the gateways. Steps beyond it descend into the pond.

Pediments and lintels throughout the temple were richly carved.

On the lintel over a portal in the outer gallery, a kala demon, a threshold guardian, grasps a vegetal garland streaming from his mouth.

Interior entrances align precisely with those of the exterior galleries.

Another low gateway leading into one of the enclosing ponds

A side view of the two towers to the back in the central sanctuary

A doorway and lintel—now freestanding—within the inner temple

Note the five-headed (three visible here) naga—serpentlike creatures serving as guardians, at each of the outer corners of the entryway.

Decoration on an interior threshold just within the eastern gopura

A view of the inner sanctuary from the east, with three of the main towers partially visible (at center and to the left). The raised platform on the left was where the principal tower once stood, at the center of the three towers in the front row. The tower to its right (to the north) has the lintel seen in the next photo.

The lintel over the entrance to the north tower in the front row of the inner sanctuary depicts Shiva and Uma on Shiva's traditional mount, the sacred bull Nondi, accompanied by attendants, all on a platform above a kala's fierce face.

This 11th-century lintel, now in the Phimai National Museum, is from the principal tower at Muang Tham. It depicts the marriage of Shiva and Uma. Shiva is the large figure seated on the kala, with Uma on the left (Shiva's right); both hold lotus buds. On the right is the severely damaged figure of Himavanta, Lord of the Himalayas and father of Uma.

The lintel over the door of the north tower in the back row of the central sanctuary depicted Krishna, earthly avatar of Vishnu, lifting Mount Govardhana to protect cowherds and their cattle from a rainstorm visited upon them by a wrathful Indra.

Pediment and lintel above the interior of the eastern entry of the inner gopura. On the pediment, a singha, or lion, preying on an elephant is seen above the kala demon. The lintel shows Krishna doing battle with the naga Kaliya.

Lotus pads and flowers from a flame-of-the-forest tree (Butea monosperma) in one of the temple ponds

The striking flame-of-the-forest tree at this temple dedicated to Shiva is, probably by coincidence, a tree whose flowers are said to be used in a ritual ceremony honoring that same god in the Indian state of Telangana.