Thommanon is a small temple built at the end of Suryavarman II's reign,
around the middle of the 12th century. It is nearly symmetrical to Chau
Say Tevoda, another of Suryavarman's temples that stands nearby. Although
the placement of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda neatly frame the east causeway
to the Angkor Thom complex, this was probably not the original intention,
since in Suryavarman's time the center of the capital was closer to Angkor
Wat. Thommanon is architecturally more advanced than its predecessors.
The designers took advantage of the natural qualities of sandstone, rather
than simply carving it in imitation of wood.
 
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