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A province in the central region of Thailand, Lop Buri Province is located approximately 154 kilometers north of Bangkok. Covering an area of 6,199 square kilometers, the province is situated on the western end of the Khorat Plateau. It borders Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces on the east, Phetchabun and Nakhon Sawan Provinces on the north, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya and Saraburi Provinces on the South. Lop Buri Province is one of several provinces in central Thailand where many significant historical artifacts and prehistoric settlements have been discovered.
Formerly known as Lawo, Lop Buri had for centuries been ruled by several Kingdoms. The remains of Lop Buri, dating over 1,200 years attests to the strategic significance of Lop Buri to many rulers. These relics, ranging from the Bronze Age to the Ratanakosin period, have made Lop Buri a blend of east and west and ancient and modern, revealing the citys turbulent and alluring history and a glimpse of Thailands extraordinary past.

The Past

Lop Buri was first developed into a major town during the Dvaravati Kingdom (6th 11th centuries). Most historians believed the first settlers of the town were the Lawa (an ethnic group related to the Mons) which is the reason for naming the town Lawo. In 10th century, the town came under absolute sovereignty of the Khmers who made it one of their oldest provincial capitals. The Khmer Mahayana Buddhism style was a major influence on the towns architecture and was later commonly referred to as Lop Buri Style. Remains of KhmerHindu architectural motifs found in the city include the Shivas Shrine (Prang Khaek), San Phra Kan, Phra Prang Sam Yot, and Wat Phra Si Mahathat.

It was in the late 13th century when the Thais, who migrated from the North, fought against the Khmers and declared their independence. Since then, Lop Buri has been ruled by Thai Kings.

Lop Buri first became known when King U-Tong, who established the Ayutthaya Kingdom, sent his son, Ramesuan the Crown Prince, to govern the city. The Prince commanded the building of moats, city walls and battlement towers.
Lop Buri reached its height in 1664 when King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya named Lop Buri the Kingdoms second capital, which came after a threat of invasion from Hollanders. King Narai the Great rebuilt Lop Buri with the help of French architects and ruled the Kingdom from there, instead of Ayutthaya., Thus the citys architecture mostly reflected a mixture of Thai and Western styles, which can be seen today in the remains of the Royal Palace, the Royal Reception House etc.

Lop Buri gradually faded from the political scene with the death of King Narai the Great. It, however, made a comeback approximately 200 years later when King Rama IV of the Ratanakosin Era decided to restore the city. He also commanded the restoration of the old Palace and named it Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (Narai Ratchaniwet Palace) in honor of King Narai the Great.

After Thailands democratic revolution, Marshall Poh Pibulsongkram rebuilt a military camp near the citys railroad, therefore, dividing the city into the old (ancient) and new zone.

The Present

Today, Lop Buri is administratively divided into 11 Amphoes (Districts) including Muang, Ban Mi, Chai Badan, Khok Charoen, Khok Samrong, Phatthana Nikhom, Tha Luang, Tha Wung, Sa Bot, Lam Sonthi and Nong Muang.
Apart from historical attractions, Lop Buri provides opportunities for nature lovers to visit its famous Sap langka Wildlife Sanctuary in the north.
Another special landmark of Lop Buri is monkeys. To tourists, the city is known as the land of monkeys. To the people of Lop Buri, the monkeys are descendants of Hanuman who, according to the Ramayana, built Lop Buri as his kingdom. The food offerings in San Phra Kan drew the monkeys from nearby forests. These mischievous monkeys have taken over several attractions such as San Phra Kan and Phra Prang Sam Yot. A big feast for the monkeys on the last Sunday of November is held annually at Phra Prang Sam Yot and is one of the most attractive and most talked about tourist events in Thailand.

By Car:

From Bangkok: The trip from Bangkok to Lop Buri by car may take up to 2 hours. It is possible to either drive along Highway No.1 via Saraburi (total distance is 153 kilometers), or use Highway No. 32 via Ayutthaya, and travel further along Highway No. 347 to Lop Buri via Tha Ruea District.

By Bus:

From Bangkok: Air-conditioned coaches and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal) every 20 minutes from 5.30 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. The ticket costs 62 baht (ordinary bus) and 85 bahts (air-conditioned). The journey takes 3 hours. Call 02 936 2852-66 for more information.

From Ayutthaya: There are buses that leave every 10 minutes from Ayutthaya Bus Terminal to Lop Buri. The price is half of the fare from Bangkok.

Lop Buri can be reached by taking buses from Kanchanaburi (the west), Suphan Buri, Sing Buri, Ang Thong (the central), and Nakhon Ratchasima (the east).

By Train:

From Bangkok: Ordinary northern-route (Bangkok-Chiang Mai) trains leave Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station at 7.05 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. Both are third class only. Rapid trains leave the station 5 times a day (Travel time is 2.5 hrs.) For more updated schedules and reservations, call 1690, 0 2223 7010, 0 22237020 or visit www.railway.co.th.

From Ayutthaya: regular 3rd class trains depart Ayutthaya to Lop Buri. Travel time is 1 hour.

Travelling in Lop Buri:

There are plenty of Song thaews running along Wichayen and Phra Narai Maharat Roads connecting the old and new towns. The cost is 5 baht per person. City buses are also available. It costs 4 baht per passenger. Sam lors will go anywhere in the old town from 30 to 50 baht.

Statue of King Narai the Great This statue is situated at the entrance of the town. It was erected to honour King Narai the Great who made Lop Buri an important and prosperous town. He commanded many magnificent structures built in this town including the Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Palace, several fortifications and a Buddhist sanctuary. He was the first one to apply modern technology in the observatory and in laying terracotta pipes to supply water to the palace.

As for his foreign policy, King Narai was the first Thai monarch who established diplomatic relations with France and attributed friendly policy towards other foreigners. Especially the Europeans.

Phra Prang Sam Yot This former Hindu shrine is some 200 metres from the railway station and is Lob Buri's best known landmark. The laterite and sandstone structure was constructed in the Lop Buri style and decorated with stucco. Adjoining towers signify the Hindu Trinity of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. During the reign of King Narai, the shrine was converted to a Buddhist Temple.

San Phra Kan This former Brahman shrine is adjacent to Phra Prang Sam Yot. It consists of an ancient Khmer ruin and a shrine constructed in 1951 for a worshiped four-armed deity figure with a Buddha image's head. The monkeys living in the compound sometimes cause mischief when approached.

Prang Khaek This charming and petite Khmer ruin is in the market place on Vichayen Road. The structure was built in the 15th century as a Hindu shrine with three adjoining towers, but it is much smaller than Phra Prang Sam Yot. It is considered to be the oldest monument of Lop Buri.

Wat Phra Si Maha That This temple is located behind the railway station near Phra Kan Shrine. The Lop Buri style prang or tower fronting the temple was built around 1157 when the the town was ruled by the Khmer. The U-Thong style Buddha images on the prang were added at a late date. The temple was probably restored during the reign of King Narai the Great.

Vichayen House was a residence for Chevalier de Chaumont, the first French ambassador to Thailand during the reign of Louis XVI. Later, the place was occupied by Chao Phraya Vichayen (a Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon ) until he was executed by the revolutionaries in 1688. Many ruined buildings dot the compound, one served as a Roman Catholic chapel. Others were residences for the ambassador and mission members. Ruined brick water tanks and fountains are visible.

Narai Ratchaniwet Palace This palace in the town centre was built by King Narai and took 12 years to be completed (1665-1677). Now the whole compound has been turned into the Lop Buri National Museum and houses the following historical buildings:

Water Reservoir stored water which came through terracotta pipes from Tha-le Chupson, a large freshwater lake which supplied drinking water to the inhabitants of Lop Buri.

Phra Khlang Supharat commonly known as the twelve treasure houses, stored the royal treasures as well as royal goods for selling to foreign merchants.

Elephant and Horse Stables located close to the wall separating the outer section of the palace from the middle section.

Chanthon Phisan Phisan Pavilion was built as a royal residence of King Narai in 1665. It was subsequently used as an audience hall after King Narai had moved his residence to Suttha Sawan Pavilion. The building was constructed in pure Thai style, thus indicating that no French architects were involved in its construction. The building was restored by King Rama IV in 1863 and is now used as a hall for displaying archaeological art objects. Many Lop Buri style stone Buddha images are kept in the building.

Phiman Mongkut Pavilion is a three-storied brick building used as a residence of King Rama IV when he visited Lop Buri during the renovation of the palace. Connected with the pavilion are the other three buildings namely Suttha Wintchai Pavilion, Chia Sattrakon Pavilion and Akson Sattrakhom. All of these buildings are now used as the offices of the Lop Buri National Museum.

Dusit Sawan Thanya Maha Prasat Hall King Narai had this building constructed to be used as an audience hall for high-ranking foreign visitors and ambassadors. He probably received Chevalier de Chaumont, King Louis XIV's representative, in this hall. The building was constructed in a mixed Thai and Western architectural style.

Suttha Sawan Pavilion This residence is where King Narai died on 11 July,1688, while the palace was under the control of revolutionaries. Ruins of the pavilion, artificial hills and fountains remain. It has been recorded that the pavilion stood amidst a beautiful garden in which there were many fountains.

Phra Chao Hao Building located in the south of the outer section of the palace was built, probably as a private audience hall, in Thai style. Only wall sections remain, but the decorative designs at the doors and windows are still visible.

Banquet Hall built to entertain important foreign visitors, is surrounded on three sides by ponds. A brick platform fronting the hall may have been a stage or theatre where guests were entertained, perhaps by shadow plays or dances, after dinner.

Wat San Paulo This is situated on Ruam Decho Road, some 1.5 Kms. east of the town. It was originally a church of the Jesuits founded during the reign of King Narai, and also the first observatory in Asia. Now only a brick wall of a high tower remains behind the church site. The name "San Paulo" called by Thais probably derive from "Saint Paul".

Wat Sao Thong Thong is to the north of the Royal Palace. The wihara and the main Buddha image were created in the Ayutthaya period. Later, King Narai restored this monastery and changed the windows of the windows of the wihara into a western style.

Wat Mani Chonlakhan The monastery was originally called Wat Ko Kaeo because it was located on a small island. Interesting to see are, Chedi Luang Pho Saeng, the ubosot, the wihara and the large Buddha image along the river.

Lop Buri Zoo This 25-acre enclave is near Sa Kaeo circle. The zoo includes favourite Asian and Australian birds and mammals. The most unusual spectacle is that of three tigers and four dogs living in unique harmony and the love story of a couple of orangutans.

Wat Khao Wongkot Located at the foot of Sanam Daeng Mountain, this temple is noted for a large bat cave where bats fly out around 6.00 p.m.in great numbers to seek food. The temple derives income from bats' droppings.

Kraison Siharat Hall or Phra Thinang Yen Located on an island in a dried up lake, Thale Chupson, formerly supplied drinking water to Lop Buri residents. This hall was built and used as a residence of King Narai, Jesuits and Louis XIV's envoys to witness a lunar eclipse on 11 December, 1685.

Wat Yang Na Rangsi This temple is located by the Lop Buri River, 9 kms. South of the town centre on the Lop Buri-Bang Pahan route. The four Buddha images made of sandstone and quartz in the temple could have been built during the Lawo period. The old wooden teaching hall was built in 1927 in a typical style of the rural central region. After the restoration in 1998, it was turned into a local boat museum. A collection of local boats and oars in various types are displayed, particularly a rare one-seat barge, which plied local waterways in the old days.

Wat Lai This Ayutthaya period temple is located on the bank of the Bang Kham River, Amphoe Tha Wung, some 24 kms. from the town. It is noted for a chapel decorated with stucco in various motifs, depicting Lord Buddha's previous life story and the first sermon. The exquisite craftmanship makes this a masterpiece of Thai sculpture.

Sunflower Field Some 45 kms. from the town, Thailand's largest sunflower plantation in Amphoe Phatthana Nikhom attracts all passersby when the flowers are in full bloom from November to January.

Nam Tok Wang Kan Luang This 10-tiered waterfall is about 12 kms. from the Lam Narai Market, Amphoe Chai Badan via Route No. 2089. Thanks to a nearby underground water source, a flow of water is visible all year round.