From Wikitravel

Lopburi (ลพบุรี), also spelled Lop Buri or Lob Buri, is a city in Lopburi (province), in the Central Plains of Thailand.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By Bus 3 Get around 4 See 5 Do 6 Buy 7 Eat 8 Drink 9 Sleep 10 Get out

Understand

Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, a former capital and the second capital after Ayutthaya was established in 1350AD. It was abandoned after King Naral passed away in 1688, but parts were restored in 1856 by King Mongkut (King Rama IV) and in 1664 It was made the summer capital so the king could escape the heat of Ayutthaya.

These days, there is only one reason to go to Lopburi - Monkeys. The town is overrun with them. In the center of the town is a Monkey temple/amusement park. There you can buy some candies and drinks for the monkeys. Just don't get pooped on the monkeys hanging from trees and wires!

Get in

By Bus

From Ayutthaya, local buses run every 20 mins, take around 2 hours, and cost 35 baht.

From Bangkok, aircon buses leave every 20 mins, take either 2.5 hours and cost 117 baht, or take 3 hours and cost 96 baht.

From Kanchanaburi it's necessary to take a local bus to Suphanburi taking 2 hours and costing 40 baht, then another from there to Lopburi taking 3 hours and costing 52 baht.

Get around

The blue local bus circles constantly between the bus station about 2km from the town centre, passing Phra Kahn Shrine, going south on Thanon Sorasak, and ending up in front of the TAT office on Phraya Kamuad Rd. 8 baht.

See

• Phra Kahn Shrine, Narai Maharat Rd. The site of a small shrine, the remains of a Khmer prang, a few stalls and lots of monkeys. The stalls sell offerings to be dedicated at the shrine, and food and drink. The monkeys eat the food, drink, offerings and anything else going. Good for a few photos. There are signs warning of purse-grabbing by the monkeys, but they appear docile if not provoked. No charge.

• Ban Vichayen, Narai Maharat Rd. The remains of the official ambassadors residence, built during the reigh of King Narai the Great. Only the outer walls of the three main buildings remain, in a small grassy area. Daily 8:30AM-4:00PM. 30 baht.

• Wat Sao Thong Thong, Rue De France. A wiharn belonging to a working wat, which also has a small amulet market in the grounds. Previously used as a Christian chapel and a Mosque temple, it has now been restored and features a large buddha image, with several smaller Lopuri-era images in wall niches. No charge.

• Phra Narai Ratchanivet or King Narai's Palace, entrance on Thanon Sorasak on east wall. Built in 17th century under King Narai command with the aid of French and Italian engineers, the palace was used for receiving foreign officials and royalty. Restored in 1856 by King Mongkut and converted to a museum in 1924. It consists of the remains of various buildings in an enclosed park, and the central palace which holds prehistoric exhibits, buddha images of Dvaravati, Lopburi and Khmer styles, and King Mongkut's bedroom in its entirety. W-Su 8:30AM-4:00PM, closed M-Tu and national holidays. 30 baht.

• Wat Phra Phutthabat, 17km south-east of Lopburi. Take any Saraburi bus (#104) which leave the main bus station every 20 mins, take 30 mins to get to the side road 1km from the wat, and cost 21 baht.

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Lopburi Inn, 28/9 Narai Maharat Road. Holds annual November dinner party each year for the monkeys!

Get out

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