Lopburi

Things to see and do

Narai Ratchaniwet Palace

Construction of Narai Ratchaniwet Palace was commenced during the rule of foreigner-friendly King Narai of Ayutthaya in 1665 and completed 12 years later. The king used the palace as a summer retreat for up to six months of the year. Following his death, the palace was used for the coronation of ... read more
Statue of King Narai the Great

This statue was erected in honour King Narai who has been credited with, among other things, being the first Thai monarch to establish diplomatic relations with France and to pursue a friendly policy towards foreigners, especially Europeans. The monument is at the centre of the large roundabout to ... read more
Phra Prang Sam Yot

The 'Temple of Three Prangs' is regarded as Lopburi's chief landmark. Built as a Hindu monument, the prangs of the laterite-sandstone structure are said to represent the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. During the reign of King Narai it was converted to a Buddhist temple and some ruined Lopburi ... read more
San Phra Kan or the Kala Shrine

This shrine is not particularly old but highly revered. Built in 1951, it's home to a stone statue of Vishnu with Buddha's head on it. The statue is completely covered in gold leaf but is still fairly unremarkable. What's most remarkable here is the sheer number of monkeys - they are such a menace ... read more
Prang Khaek

This small ruin was, like Prang Sam Yot, originally a Hindu shrine and has been restored several times. The site consists of three small brick Khmer prangs, the oldest in central Thailand.
Wat Nakhon Kosa

This temple was originally constructed by the Khmers, with the prang out front built in 1157. It may have originally been a Hindu site, as U Thong Buddha images found here are predated by the rest of the structure. The shrine is fairly run down now and restoration work has been haphazard.
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

This archaeologically important site was founded in the 12th century while Lopburi was under Khmer rule. The prang is the tallest in Lopburi and is distinct from its northeastern contemporaries by being so tall and slender. Built of laterite, much of the decorative work is eroded though some ... read more
Ambassador's Residence or Vichayen House

Originally constructed by King Narai as a residence for Chevalier de Chaumont, the first French ambassador to Thailand, Vichayen House's most famous resident was actually Constantine Phaulkon, a Greek advisor to the king. In 1688, while the king lay on his deathbed, Phaulkon was assassinated during ... read more
Wat Phra Phutthabat

Literally translated, this means 'Buddha Footprint', and that is exactly what this shrine houses. It was discovered during the rule of King Song Kham of Ayutthaya and is now considered to be one of the most significant in Thailand. The shape is unusual, looking more like a coffin than a footprint. ... read more