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Region: Northern Thailand> Province: Lopburi>Location: Lopburi

Lopburi sights and attractions

Narai Ratchaniwet Palace - A highlight

Surasongkhram Rd

Description
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 his successor but then deserted until restoration works were undertaken by King Mongkut in 1863.

Although the buildings within the high-walled enclosure are ruins, the grounds are very well kept and pleasant to wander through, with remnants of elephant and horse stables, a large water reservoir and a series of halls which King Narai once used to store all his goodies all on display. At the southern end of the outer palace grounds lie the remains of what was probably an audience hall used by the monarch to greet important visitors.

Further into the enclosure you will reach the Chantara Phisan Pavilion. Originally built as the royal residence, it was transformed into another audience hall after the king moved his residence to the Suttha Sawan Pavilion in the southwest. This building is considered to be a fine example of classic Thai architecture, was restored by King Mongkut in 1863 and is now home to a collection of Thai artefacts.

To the south of the Chantara Phisan Pavilion is the Dusit Sawan Thanya Maha Prasat Hall. Built by the king for meeting VIPs, this is was where he probably greeted Chevalier de Chaumont, the representative of France's Louis XIV. Although the roof is long gone, it is believed to have been multi-tiered and topped by a tall spire. What's left now shows a meld of Thai and French architectural styles.

In the far southwestern corner is the Suttha Sawan Pavilion which was the later residence of the king. Before he died he dedicated both this pavilion and its immediate surrounding grounds to a monastery in order to protect it from plotters awaiting his death. The pavilion was surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains, with some of the landscaping still evident.

In 1856 during the reign of King Rama IV, the palace grounds were restored and the Phiman Mongkut Pavilion was built and used as his residence when he visited. The three-storey brick building is linked to three other buildings, all of which are now used as part of the Lopburi National Museum.

The museum is home to a range of Lopburi period sculpture and artefacts along with a smattering of historic goods connected to visits by the French.

Monday and Tuesday admission is free but you cannot enter any of the buildings.

Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00

Statue of King Narai the Great - Not worth the trip out to

Eastern edge of town

Description
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 the east of the historic quarter.

Phra Prang Sam Yot - Worth a look - lots of monkeys

Vichayen Rd

Description
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 period Buddhas remain as evidence of this. The southern prang is probably the best preserved of the three, with decorative carving still visible. Like many sites in Lopburi, Phra Prang Sam Yot is overrun by monkeys, so keep hold of your baseball caps, sunglasses and scarves.

San Phra Kan or the Kala Shrine - Monkey central

Vichayen Rd

Description
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 that the entire area was caged in to try to control them and stop monkeys being killed on the road outside.

Prang Khaek - A small site

Vichayen Rd

Description
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 - Run down

By the train tracks

Description
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 - An interesting site

By the train station

Description
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 lintels and stucco work are still evident, allowing one to conjure up an image of what at one time must have been an impressive construction. The Thai Fine Arts Department restored it.

Ambassador's Residence or Vichayen House - Certainly worth a look

Vichayen Rd

Description
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 a power struggle. Today the house is roofless but the grounds are very well kept and worth wandering through to see what's left of the distinctly European architecture. The complex consists of the residence to the left, a church in the centre and a reception hall on the right along with the remains of water tanks and fountains.