Lopburi

Lopburi (ลพบุรี) is a historic city roughly 180 km north of Bangkok in the Chao Phraya Basin region of central Thailand. It offers a laid-back atmosphere and an escape from the capital's congestion, while packing nearly 1,500 years of history into a compact, walkable area. The city is famous for its large troops of macaque monkeys that roam the old town, its Khmer and Ayutthaya-era ruins, and the sunflower fields that bloom across the surrounding countryside from November to January.

History: Founded as Lavapuri (or Lavo) in 468 AD by Indian colonists — named after Lava, a son of Rama in the Ramayana — Lopburi is one of Thailand's oldest continuously inhabited cities. It was a centre of the Dvaravati Buddhist network in the 7th–8th centuries, fell under Khmer influence after the 10th century, and emerged as the second capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom. The city's golden age came in the 17th century when King Narai made it his favourite residence, spending eight months a year here and building a palace that a French traveller compared to Versailles. After Narai's overthrow in 1688 the city was largely abandoned, but parts were restored in 1856 by King Mongkut (Rama IV), who made Lopburi his summer residence.

Orientation: The town splits into two main areas — Old Town, where most of the historical sites, the train station, and the monkeys are found, and New Town, where the bus station and most modern amenities are located.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Don Mueang (DMK, 130 km) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK, 155 km), both in Bangkok. From either, take a taxi or airport rail link into the city and then a bus or train north to Lopburi.

By Train

Lopburi Railway Station is in the Old Town. Trains from Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal take about 3 hours. From Ayutthaya the journey is roughly one hour; a third-class ticket costs around 20 baht, while a second-class air-conditioned express seat is about 260 baht. As of late 2025, Lopburi 2 (Tha Wung) railway station handles some long-distance services.

By Car / Road

From Bangkok take Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road) via Saraburi — 153 km total. Alternatively take Highway 32 via Ayutthaya and then Route 311 (Singburi–Lopburi) through Tha Wung District. Air-conditioned minivans leave Bangkok's Mo Chit northern bus station and take about 2 hours, costing around 110 baht; the last departure is around 18:00. Local buses from Ayutthaya run every 20 minutes, take about 2 hours, and cost 35 baht.

A blue local bus (8 baht) circles between the bus station, Phra Kahn Shrine, Sorasak Road, and the TAT office on Phraya Kamuad Road. Motorcycle taxis and car taxis are available — a recommended driver can be reached at 083-8982887. As of 2024, Grab and Bolt are not available in Lopburi, so flag down a tuk-tuk or arrange a taxi by phone.

Khmer-era Temples

• Phra Prang Sam Yot — A Khmer-style temple with three linked towers, Lopburi's most iconic landmark, now inhabited by hundreds of monkeys. Foreigners 50 baht, Thais 10 baht.
• San Phra Kan (Phra Kahn Shrine) — Small shrine, the remains of a Khmer prang, stalls selling offerings, and lots of monkeys. 50 baht.
• Wat Phra Sri Rattanamahathat — Important 13th-century monastery with a bas-relief illustrating the Buddha's life on the central prang. Foreigners 50 baht, Thais 10 baht.

Ayutthaya-era Sites

• Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (King Narai's Palace) — Built in 1677 by French, Italian, and Portuguese engineers; now houses the Somdet Phra Narai Museum with prehistoric exhibits and Buddha images. W–Su 08:30–16:00, closed M–Tu and holidays. Foreigners 150 baht, Thais 30 baht.
• Ban Vichayen — Ruins of Constantine Phaulkon's residence from the Narai period. Daily 08:30–16:00. 50 baht.
• Wat Sao Thong Thong — A viharn that has served as a Christian chapel, a mosque, and now a Buddhist temple, with a small amulet market. Free.

Natural Attractions

• Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary — The last remaining forest in Lopburi province, home to elephants and wild boar, with hiking trails, waterfalls, and caves. 06:00–18:00. Free.

• Wang Kan Lueng Waterfall — Turquoise waterfall active year-round, very popular with locals during the hot season. 09:00–17:00.

• Sunflower Fields — Lopburi is one of Thailand's largest sunflower growers; fields around Pa Sak Jonlasit Dam are at their best November–December.

• Khao Phraya Doenthong — A viewpoint for sunrise and sunset over the dam; a road leads to the top so no hiking is needed. 06:00–18:00.

• Wat Khao Wong Phrachan — Temple on Lopburi's highest peak, reached by a 3,790-step stairway. Free, 07:00–17:00.

• Wat Khao Wong Prachan Temple Festival — An annual 15-day festival with food stalls and all-night lights along the stairway.

• King Narai the Great Festival — A 10-day cultural celebration every February, with traditional Thai costumes, retro markets, and light shows.

• Rock Climbing at Jiin Lay Mountain — Near Suwannahong Temple in Baan Nong Kham.

• "Floating Train" Excursion — A special train across the elevated railway over Pa Sak Jonlasit Dam, occasionally run by the State Railway of Thailand with photo stops on the tracks.

Old Town street vendors serve a variety of Thai dishes. In the evenings, many food stalls set up on the road in front of the railway station. For sit-down dining: Bualuang (46/1 Moo 3, Tasala, in New Town, cash only) offers Thai fare; Louis Steakhouse (on Phahon Yothin east of the big roundabout) serves Belgian-owned Western food; New World Steak House (near the fountain square) is run by an English-Thai couple and does good steaks and shepherd's pie.

Bottled water is advised — tap water is not potable. Local cafés in the Old Town serve Thai iced tea, coffee, and fresh fruit shakes. Alcoholic drinks are available at restaurants and the few bars near the train station area.

• Budget: Several guesthouses in the Old Town near the railway station offer basic rooms from 300–500 baht per night.
• Mid-range: Hotels such as Lopburi Inn Resort and Asia Lopburi Hotel offer air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms from 600–1,200 baht.
• Upscale / heritage: There are limited upscale options in town; most travellers on a higher budget base themselves in Bangkok or Ayutthaya and visit Lopburi as a day trip.

Big C (with a KFC) and Tesco Lotus in Monkey Mall are the two department stores. Tesco Lotus has a large outdoor market in the evenings. Street stalls in the Old Town sell local snacks and souvenirs.

• Ayutthaya (60 km south, ~1 hr by train) — The former Siamese capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site packed with temple ruins.
• Phra Phutthabat (50 km south) — Houses a revered Buddha footprint shrine.
• Saraburi (40 km south) — Gateway to Khao Yai National Park and the sunflower fields of the central plains.
• Kanchanaburi (250 km west) — Known for the Bridge on the River Kwai and Erawan National Park.
• Nakhon Sawan (120 km north) — A bustling transport hub on the way to northern Thailand, with a large Chinese-Thai community.