LOPBURI 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.
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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.
Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts:
Tha Wung 15 kms.
Ban Mi 32 kms.
Khok Samrong 35 kms.
Phatthana Nikhom 51 kms.
Nong Muang 54 kms.
Sa Bot 65 kms.
Khok Charoen 77 kms.
Tha Luang 83 kms.
Chai Badan 97 kms.
Lam Sonthi 120 kms.
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.
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