Lop Buri

Lopburi is an ancient city and the capital of Lopburi Province in central Thailand, about 150 km northeast of Bangkok. Known as Monkey City, it combines Khmer-era ruins, 17th-century royal architecture and a busy provincial centre, with long-tailed macaques roaming the old town.

Its history stretches back to the Mon and Khmer kingdoms, when it was known as Lavo or Lavapura. It became a second capital under King Narai the Great in the 17th century, and King Narai's Palace, known as Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, together with the Somdet Phra Narai National Museum preserves that period, while the 13th-century Phra Prang Sam Yot reflects its Khmer heritage.

Around the old town, San Phra Kan shrine, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat and the railway station area are focal points. The monkeys are most visible near Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan, and the annual Monkey Festival on the last Sunday of November draws many visitors. Sunflower fields and Pa Sak Jolasid Dam offer nearby day trips.

Modern Lopburi is a provincial commercial and administrative centre with a strong military presence, markets and local restaurants. Its compact old town is easy to explore on foot, with tuk-tuks, songthaews and trains connecting it to Bangkok and the rest of the province.

For travellers, Lopburi offers a distinctive mix of history, wildlife and local life within easy reach of Bangkok, making it a rewarding cultural stop or a base for exploring central Thailand.