Lopburi

Lopburi is a historic city located just 3 hours north of Bangkok (~180 km), making it an ideal day trip or overnight escape from the capital's chaos. The city served as Thailand's second capital under King Narai the Great (1656-1688), leaving behind Khmer-style temples, royal palaces, and European-influenced architecture. Lopburi is world-famous for its monkeys, particularly around Phra Kahn Shrine and Phra Prang Sam Yot, where troops of macaques roam freely. The town has a very laid-back atmosphere compared to Bangkok, with affordable street food, minimal tourist crowds, and easy access via train from the capital.

Lopburi is well-connected to Bangkok by train, with services departing from Hua Lamphong Station. The journey takes approximately 3 hours. By bus, various services operate from Bangkok's major bus terminals, taking around 3-4 hours for the ~180 km trip. Lopburi Railway Station (listing_uid: 7de9e2dd622dbc79) is centrally located and serves as the main arrival point for train travelers. There is no airport in Lopburi; the nearest domestic airports are in Bangkok.

The blue local bus costs just 8 baht and circles constantly between the bus station (about 2 km from town centre), passing Phra Kahn Shrine, going south on Sorasak Rd, and ending at the TAT office on Phraya Kamuad Rd. Motorcycle taxis and car taxis are readily available throughout town. A recommended taxi driver can be contacted at 083-8982887. As of 2024, ride-hailing apps Grab and Bolt are unavailable in Lopburi. Walking is the best option for exploring the compact Old Town area with its temples and monkey zones.

Accommodation in Lopburi ranges from basic guesthouses to mid-range hotels, typically priced between 180-300+ baht. In the monkey-populated old town area, some hotels have enclosed "cages" to keep macaques out (Lopburi City Hotel, Sri Indra Hotel), while others have monkeys wandering through corridors (Muang Tong Hotel). For those preferring to avoid monkeys, Nett Hotel (180+ baht) offers a good location with a food market nearby and no monkey issues. O2 Hotel on Chaloem Phrakiat Rd offers superior rooms at 799 baht and deluxe rooms at 1499 baht, each with private balcony and free Wi-Fi. Noom Guesthouse near the train station offers fan rooms plus motorcycle rentals and rock climbing arrangements.

Street vendors in the Old Town offer tasty local food at budget prices. In the evenings, numerous street food stalls set up on the road in front of the railway station. For Western food, Louis Steakhouse (on Phahon Yothin east of the large roundabout near Big C) is owned by a Belgian. New World Steak House near Sakal town centre serves good English cuisine with huge steaks and Shepherd's pie by Barry and Noi. White House, behind the TAT office, offers romantic Western architecture with excellent crab meat fried rice and red curry. For drinking, the Butterfly Bar on Phayakamjad Rd (across from Narai Palace) serves beer and whisky for 50 baht with welcoming hosts. The Old Town has a few curbside bars popular with foreigners, while "The Bank" disco attracts Lopburi's young local crowd.

Lopburi's main historic sites include Phra Prang Sam Yot (50 baht for foreigners), a Khmer-style temple with three linked towers, and Wat Phra Sri Rattanamahathat (50 baht for foreigners), one of the town's most important monasteries from the 13th century with bas reliefs illustrating the Buddha's life. Phra Narai Ratchaniyet (King Narai's Palace) on Sorasak Rd charges 150 baht for foreigners and is open Wednesday-Sunday 8:30-16:00; the Somdet Phra Narai Museum inside houses prehistoric exhibits and Buddha images. At San Phra Kan shrine on Narai Maharat Rd (50 baht), hundreds of monkeys congregate—signs warn of purse-grabbing but they appear docile if not provoked. Nature attractions include Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary (free, 6AM-6PM), the last remaining forest in Lopburi with elephants and wild boars, plus Wang Kan Luang Waterfall and Khao Phraya Doenthong mountain for sunrise/sunset views with camping spots.

The best time to visit Lopburi is between November and February when weather is cooler and drier. Sunflower fields around Pa Sak Jonlasit Dam are particularly scenic between November and December when they bloom. February hosts the annual King Narai the Great Festival, a 10-day cultural celebration with traditional Thai attire, retro markets, and light shows. The hot season (March-May) brings many locals to Sub Lek Reservoir and waterfalls to cool down. The 15-day Wat Khao Wong Prachan Temple Festival occurs annually with food stalls and 3,790-step pilgrimages, with dates changing yearly per the Buddhist calendar. Avoid the monsoon season (July-October) when heavy rains may disrupt travel.

For longer stays or provisions, Lopburi has two main shopping centers: Big C mall (with KFC) and Tesco Lotus at Monkey Mall, which hosts a large outdoor market in the evenings. A small amulet market operates within Wat Sao Thong Thong grounds on Rue De France. The markets near Sub Lek Reservoir and at temple festivals offer local crafts and food products. Unlike Bangkok's massive shopping districts, Lopburi's retail is modest but functional for traveler needs.

Lopburi is generally a safe destination, but visitors should exercise caution around the macaque monkeys. Signs at San Phra Kan shrine warn of purse-grabbing by monkeys, who are attracted to food, drinks, and shiny objects. Do not feed the monkeys or provoke them, and keep belongings secure. The monkeys appear docile if not provoked, but their behavior can be unpredictable. Some drinking establishments on back roads cater to short-term female company and are not recommended for newcomers. Use standard urban precautions with valuables and avoid walking alone late at night in poorly lit areas.

From Lopburi, several destinations are within day-trip range: Sing Buri (30 km northwest), Ang Thong (40 km southwest), Saraburi (50 km southeast), and Ayutthaya (60 km south). Ayutthaya is particularly recommended as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with extensive historical parks. By train, Lopburi sits on the Northern Line with Bangkok to the south and Nakhon Sawan/Chiang Mai to the north. Highway 1 connects Lopburi to Bangkok via Ayutthaya and Saraburi to the south, and via Chainat and Chiang Rai to the north.