"Lopburi - Ruins, royal palace & monkeys" Lop Buri by Willettsworld

Lopburi is the capital of Lopburi Province and is located about 150km north-east of Bangkok. Lopburi has made its way into the Thai history books on numerous occasions. The Khmer empire got their hands on it during the tenth century and held power in the region till the mid-thirteenth century, when the Thais clinched it. Many of the ancient ruins in and around Lopburi possess distinctly Khmer and Hindu characteristics, although over time many have been transformed into Buddhist monuments. Lopburi made the news again in 1664 when King Narai made it the second capital after Ayutthaya, when he built his palace here, which partly stands in ruins today, but parts were restored in 1856 by King Mongkut (King Rama IV).

Lopburi is famous for the hundreds of crab-eating macaques that overrun the Old Town, especially in the area around Phra Prang Sam Yot and Phra Kaan Shrine. They will want your bag, sunglasses, cap and lunch before allowing you a roam around. If you have a simian phobia, strike Lopburi off your list! The main sights are all within walking distance of the train station, which is handily located in the Old Town. I came here by train from Ayutthaya, which only took 45 minutes or so and spent the rest of the day visiting the sights. You really only need to spend a day here, which is how long I spent here before getting the train, north to Phitsanulok.