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Lop Buri
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.
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.
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| Destinations in "Ban Mi" district - Lop Buri province - Thailand |
Ban Kluai - Ban Mi - Lop Buri
The village is well known for its carefully woven Mat Mi. The art of weaving Mat Mi has been handed ....
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Wat Khao Wongkhot (Bat Cave) - Ban Mi - Lop Buri
Covering an area of 30 rai, Wat Khao Wongkhot is situated approximately 4 kilometers from Ban Mi cit ....
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Wat Thammikaram - Ban Mi - Lop Buri
The canal side temple located on the west bank of Bang Kham canal, Wat Thammikaram was formerly know ....
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| Destinations in "Chai Badan" district - Lop Buri province - Thailand |
Nam Tok Wang Kan Luang - Chai Badan - Lop Buri
Located approximately 12 kilometers from Lam Narai Market is a waterfall that flows all year round. ....
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Wat Khao Somphot - Chai Badan - Lop Buri
This temple is located 38 kilometers from Chai Badan District. There are 19 caves naturally decorate ....
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| Destinations in "Lam Sonthi" district - Lop Buri province - Thailand |
Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary - Lam Sonthi - Lop Buri
Located in Kut Ta Phet Sub-district, Sap langka Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 155 square kilo ....
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| Destinations in "Mueang" district - Lop Buri province - Thailand |
Ban Hin Song Kon - Mueang - Lop Buri
The village located between Tha-le Chupson and Thanon Yai sub-districts is famous for its chalk indu ....
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Kachornvit Mushroom Farm - Mueang - Lop Buri
Location: 71/1 Mu 6 Nikhom Sang Toneng Sub-District, Mueang District, Lop Buri 15000
Since its estab ....
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King Narai National Museum - Mueang - Lop Buri
This museum was established in 1924 by with the Phra Narai Ratchaniwet as its exhibition halls. Curr ....
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King Narai the Great Shrine - Mueang - Lop Buri
The Statue of King Narai the Great is located near the town entrance. It was built to honor King Nar ....
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Lop Buri Zoo - Mueang - Lop Buri
A 25-acre zoo is well known for its interesting residents: Asian and Australian birds and mammals. T ....
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Oasis Agro-Farm - Mueang - Lop Buri
Location: 85/2 Mu 13 Chong Sarika Sub-District, Phatthana Nikhom District, Lop Buri 15220
An agro- ....
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Phra Prang Sam Yot - Mueang - Lop Buri
Located on Vichayen Road, approximately 200 meters from the railway station, Phra Prang Sa ....
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Prang Khaek - Mueang - Lop Buri
Prang Khaek is the oldest monument of Lop Buri and the oldest Khmer-style Hindu Shrine to be found i ....
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Vichayen House - Mueang - Lop Buri
The Vichayen House was built at the royal command of King Narai the Great. It initially served as a ....
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Wat Mani Chonlakhan - Mueang - Lop Buri
Built during the reign of King Mongkut, the temple was originally called Wat Ko Kaew as it was locat ....
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Wat Nakhon Kosa - Mueang - Lop Buri
Located north of the railway station near San Phra Kan is Wat Nakhon Kosa which may have originally ....
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Wat Phra Si Maha That - Mueang - Lop Buri
The oldest temple with tallest Prang in Lop Buri, Wat Phra Si Maha That is located behind ....
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Wat San Paulo - Mueang - Lop Buri
A Jesuit Church founded by the Portuguese during the reign of King Narai the Great, Wat San Paulo is ....
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Wat Sao Thong Thong - Mueang - Lop Buri
Situated on Rue de France, to the north of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, this western style viharn was bel ....
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Wat Yang Na Rangsi (Lop Buri Boat Museum) - Mueang - Lop Buri
Located on the bank of the Lop Buri River, 9 kilometers south of the town center along the Lop Buri- ....
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| Destinations in "Phatthana Nikhom" district - Lop Buri province - Thailand |
Bee Farm
Location: Soi 24 Sai Tri, Mo 9 Phatthana Nikhom District, Lop Buri 15220 - Phatthana Nikhom - Lop Buri
The center distributes information and knowledge on Bee cultivation in Thailand. It is also a place ....
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Khuen Pa Sak Cholasit - Phatthana Nikhom - Lop Buri
The biggest reservoir in Central Thailand, the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam was constructed as part of the Ma ....
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| Destinations in "Tha Wung" district - Lop Buri province - Thailand |
Wat Lai - Tha Wung - Lop Buri
Located on the bank of Maenam Bang Kham in Tha Wung District, approximately 24 kilometers from town, ....
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