Thailand
Lopburi
CityCulture
Lopburi is one of Thailand's ancient cities and famous for its macaques. In the city center, buildings from several eras stand close together: Khmer sanctuaries, Ayutthaya-period temples, and remnants of a 17th-century palace.
by Felix Gillen
Lopburi is one of Thailand's ancient cities and famous for its macaques. In the city center, buildings from several eras stand close together: Khmer sanctuaries, Ayutthaya-period temples, and remnants of a 17th-century palace.A landmark is Prang Sam Yot, a three-towered Khmer shrine right by the railway line. Opposite the old station lies Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat with its towering prang. The Palace of King Narai (Phra Narai Ratchaniwet) now houses a museum and recalls the time when Lopburi was the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the mid-17th century.Due to a sharp rise in the monkey population, the government began capturing and sterilizing many animals from 2024, calming the situation in the old town. Still, keep bags closed and do not feed the animals. Early morning is the quietest time, and the heat is more bearable.
Sights in Lopburi
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Samnaksong Tham Champa
Small forest hermitage in a cave outside the city, inhabited by monks and not set up for visitors. Those who come should remain silent, not take photos, and keep their stay brief. Only accessible by private vehicle.
Wat Phrabat Namphu
Temple north of the city, known for its hospice caring for people with HIV and Aids. This is a care facility, not a tourist attraction: visit discreetly, without photos of patients, and by arrangement with the temple.
Kraison Siharat Palace (Yen Palace)
Remains of King Narai's residence outside the Old Town by a water basin, also called Phra Thinang Yen. Walls and foundations are preserved on a quiet site with few visitors and little shade.
Prang Sam Yot
The city's landmark: three towers of laterite and sandstone in Khmer style, connected by passages, originally Hindu and later Buddhist. Remains of stucco decoration are preserved. Macaques continue to live here; keep bags closed and do not visibly carry any food.
Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (Palace of King Narai)
King Narai's 17th-century palace complex, enclosed by a high, crenellated wall. Inside are remains of audience halls, water basins, and storehouses; one section houses the Somdet Phra Narai National Museum, featuring artifacts from the Lavo and Ayutthaya periods.
Essen & Trinken
Small independent burger spot in Lopburi, no chain. Compact menu, limited seating, evening hours. Great for a change after days of rice dishes.
Food and Drink in Lopburi
Lopburi's cuisine is Central Thai: rice dishes, noodle soups, stir-fried dishes, plus Chinese-influenced soup and Suki kitchens, as is common in the trading towns of the plain. Food stalls line the streets around the train station and in the market; from late afternoon, a night market sets up. A practical detail: Don't eat on the go and don't put anything down where monkeys can reach it.
Khao Man Kai
Cooked chicken on rice, simmered in chicken broth, with a ginger and soybean paste sauce. Find it at several stalls in Lopburi, freshest at lunchtime.
Suki
The Thai version of hotpot with broth, vegetables, glass noodles, and meat, also available stir-fried without broth.
Nightmarket
Late afternoon, stalls set up BBQ skewers, to-go curries, and fruit. Cheap, limited seating.
Noodle Soup
Kuay Teow in many varieties, available all day in small eateries. Chili, sugar, vinegar, and fish sauce are on the table for seasoning.
Cafes in the Old Town
In the alleys between station and palace are cafés in older shophouses, air-conditioned and a good break from the midday heat.
Lavo, King Narai and the Monkeys of Old Town
Khmer HeritageLopburi was long known as Lavo. After flourishing during the Dvaravati era, the city became part of the Khmer Empire under King Suryavarman I. This is primarily evidenced by Prang Sam Yot, three laterite and sandstone towers connected by passageways, originally Hindu and later Buddhist. Other prangs are located in the district of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat.King Narai's PalaceIn the mid-17th century, King Narai made Lopburi the second capital and commissioned the palace Phra Narai Ratchaniwet. During this time, the court maintained relations with European powers. Ban Wichayen, the residence of French envoys and Minister Constantine Phaulkon, is just a few minutes away.The MacaquesFor a long time, many long-tailed macaques lived around San Phra Kan Shrine and Prang Sam Yot, an estimated 3,000 before the pandemic. When tourists stopped visiting during the pandemic, the hungry animals became a problem. From 2024, the government began capturing and sterilizing many monkeys; by the end of 2024, around 1,600 were housed in enclosures. Since then, the streets have been quieter. Annually, usually on the last Sunday in November, the Monkey Festival with its fruit buffet takes place.Do not carry open bags or visible food. Feeding them makes the situation worse.Do not stare or reach for the animals; if they approach, continue walking calmly. In case of a bite or scratch, seek immediate medical attention. Health advice can be found at the German Federal Foreign Office.Temple EtiquetteSeveral wats in the town are actively in use. Keep shoulders and knees covered, remove shoes before entering prayer halls, and do not climb on masonry.
Exploring locally
The Old Town is small: From the old train station to the Palace, Prang Sam Yot, and Ban Wichayen, each is just a few minutes on foot.Train: Lopburi is on the Northern Line. From December 5, 2025, rapid and express trains will stop at the new Lopburi 2 (Tha Wung) station outside the Old Town; a free railway bus connects both stations. Only local and commuter trains will continue to stop at the old station in the heart of the Old Town. Check where your train stops before you travel.On Foot: A walk around the Old Town takes two to three hours. There's little shade, so mornings are preferable.Songthaew and Motorcycle Taxi: Connect the Old Town and the New Town in the east. Agree on prices beforehand.Bicycle and Scooter: Useful for destinations outside the Old Town, but rather cumbersome within it.
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