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| Lop Buri | ||
| province | Lop Buri | |
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| Residents | 24.166 (2014) | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
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Lop Buri(Thai: ลพบุรี) is the capital of the eponymous province in Central Thailand.
background
Lop Buri (formerly Lavapuri or Lavo) is one of the oldest and most historic cities in Thailand. According to the Chronicle of the North, it was founded in 468 by Indian colonists who named it after lava, the son of Rama and Sita in the Indian Ramayana epic. The majority of the population probably belonged to the Mon people. Lop Buri was initially a center of the Indian Buddhist Dvaravati culture. From the 10th century it belonged to the area of influence of the Khmer empire of Angkor, was one of its most important provincial centers and was ruled by viceroys. At times, however, these also showed aspirations for independence, which speaks for the sending of their own embassies to China. Temple ruins in the Khmer style are evidence of this time. The variant of the Khmer style that is widespread in today's central Thailand is therefore also called the Lop-Buri style.
In the 13th century it then came into loose dependence on the Thai kingdom at times Sukhothai, moreover, it was a direct precursor of the kingdom Ayutthaya, whose founder may have come from Lop Buri. After Ayutthaya was founded in 1351, Lop Buri was something of a “second capital”: it was customary for the designated heir to the throne to reside here as viceroy. With the growth of Ayutthaya, Lop Buri initially lost its importance until König Narai In the 17th century the city was expanded into a fortress and the stone palace Narai Ratchaniwet (one of the first secular stone buildings in Siam). The king preferred to stay here than in the actual capital Ayutthaya and resided here for most of the year. That is why a French traveler wrote at the time: “Lop Buri is something for Siam Versailles for France. "[1] Also the adventurer from Greece Constantine Phaulkonwho rose to become the highest minister under Narai, had his palace in Lop Buri.
The city has a conspicuous population of crab monkeys that roam freely around the city and mostly hang around the historical monuments.
getting there
By train
Lop Buri has one 1 railway station directly at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathatan on the northern line of the Thai railway (route Bangkok–Chiang Mai). 16 trains per day run between Bangkok and Lop Buri in each direction. The Special Express or sprinter (four times a day) takes two to two and a half hours, slower trains up to three. In the air-conditioned Special Express A ride costs 374 THB (including meal), also in air-conditioned sprinter 204 THB, in Ordinary 3rd class travel is free. Of Ayutthaya the fastest trains take 40 minutes, the slow trains around 1½ hours (Special Express 340, sprinter 170 THB, Ordinary free). Of Chiang Mai there are five continuous trains per day in each direction (via Lampang, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan), according to the plan they need between 8½ and 11½ hours (Special Express 596, 2nd class sleeping car 746–836, 1st class THB 1,153–1,353).
By bus
Long-distance buses run from Bangkok's northern bus station Mo Chit every half hour to Lop Buri. You end in the new town, a good 2 kilometers away from most of the sights.
Minivans go from Victory Monument in Bangkok to Lop Buri for THB 120. The journey takes two and a half to three hours.
| Distances | |
| Bangkok | 138 km |
|---|---|
| Ayutthaya | 70 km |
mobility
There are local buses in Lop Buri, the ride costs 8 THB in the city area. The main attractions are only a few hundred meters apart, so you can walk from one to the other.
In many corners near the train station there are motorcycle taxis that will take you to your desired destination in the city for THB 20-30.
Tourist Attractions
A combined ticket for the main attractions Prang Sam Yot, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, Ban Wichayen and Kraison Siharat Throne Hall costs 150 THB.
temple
- 1 Prang Sam Yot (พระ ปรางค์ สาม ยอด, "Three Holy Prangs"). Old Khmer sanctuary from around 1200 and the city's most famous landmark: three laterite prangs connected by corridors, today a museum.Open: Wed-Sun 8 am-5pm.Price: Entry 50 THB.
- 2 Prang Khaek, Thanon Wichayen / Sura Songkhram (250 m west of the Prang Sam Yot). Originally a Hindu shrine made of three smaller (but not connected) brick prangs from the 10th century; oldest surviving Khmer building in Lop Buri. The Buddhist Wihan was added during Narai's reign in the 17th century.
- 3 San Phra Kan (ศาล เจ้าพ่อ พระ กาฬ). Brahmanic shrine at an old Khmer shrine, a retreat for the crab monkeys. The original sanctuary consists of laterite blocks stacked on top of one another and is believed to date from the 11th century. The current pavilion was built in 1951. More about the history in Wikipedia article.Open: daily 7 am–6pm.
- 4 Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (วัด พระ ศรี รัตน มหาธาตุ). About 25 hectares of grounds with imposing temple ruins from the Khmer period near the palace. The great main prang dates from around 1200 (same phase as Bayon in Angkor), the chedis were added later, in the Ayutthaya period. More about this in Wikipedia article.
Palaces and more
- 5 Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (พระ นาย ราย ณ์ ราช นิ เวสน์, "Palace of King Narai"), Soi Sorasak. magnificent palace complex originally from the 17th century. It was designed by French Jesuits on behalf of King Narai, who was very interested in exchanges with Europe; restored by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the 19th century. More about this in Wikipedia article.
- 6 King Narai National Museum (King Narai National Museum), Thanon Phra Ram. National museum in reconstructed buildings of the former palace of King Narais, mainly Buddha statues and works of art from the Dvaravati, Khmer and Ayutthaya periods are on display.
- 7 Ban Wichayen (บ้าน เจ้าพระยา วิ ชาเยนทร์), Thanon Wichayen. Ruins of the European Renaissance style residence of the French embassy from 1765, later the summer residence of the Greek Foreign Minister and Chancellor Constantine Phaulkon, who received the Thai title Chao Phraya Wichayen wore.
- 8 Statue of King Narai. Orientation point in the middle of the large roundabout in the new town, approx. 4 km east of the old town with the main sights.
activities
shop
kitchen
- 1 Budsi's, Soi Ratchadamnoen 1 (very close to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat).
Restaurant popular with western travelers in particular, offering Thai and Mexican / American dishes (tacos). - 2 Namaste India, 2 / 3-4 Soi Surasak (halfway between Narai Ratchaniwet and Wat Phra Sri Mahathat).Indian restaurant.
- 3 Thai sawang, 11/8, Thanon Surasak (right across from Narai Ratchaniwet, a few steps from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat). Tel.: (0)36-411881. Thai-Vietnamese cuisine and steaks.
nightlife
accommodation
Cheap
- 1 The Little Lopburi Village, 58/2 Mu 2 T. Pho Kao Ton, A. Mueang Lop Buri 15000. Tel.: (0)36-617735, (0)89-0814923, Email: [email protected]. Small individual accommodation ("homestay") in traditional wooden houses on the edge of the old town (600 m to the National Museum, 1 km to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat) on the bank of the river; Room partly with shared bathroom, partly with private bathroom; partly fan, partly AC; Family bungalows for up to 4 people; Restaurant, terrace with garden view; WiFi incl., Pick-up from train station, bus or minivan as well as city tour incl.Price: double room (venti / shared bathroom) from 500 THB, triple bungalow (AC / private bathroom) from 1500 THB.
- 2 Noom Guest House, 15-17 Thanon Phraya Kamchat, T. Tha Hin, A. Mueang, Lop Buri 15000. Tel.: (0)36-427693, (0)89-1041811, Email: [email protected]. Simple accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the main attractions (100 m from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, 300 m from the train station or Prang Sam Yot).Price: Double room (venti / shared bathroom) 355 THB.
medium
- 3 Benjatara Boutique Place Resort, 123/33 Mu 1 T. Khao Sam Yot, A. Mueang Lop Buri 15000. Tel.: (0)36-422608, (0)81-9461108. Comfortable, clean accommodation, a good 5 km from the old town. All rooms with private bathroom (shower), AC, flat screen TV, refrigerator; Restaurant and mini market in the house, WiFi incl.Price: Double room from 600 THB.
- 4 Windsor Resort, 321 Mu 8, T. Pa Tan, A. Mueang, Lop Buri 15000. Accommodation that imitates the look of a Dutch windmill, a good 1 km from the train station and Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat. Rooms in light colors, all with private bathroom (shower), flat-screen TV, sofa, refrigerator, e. T. balcony.Price: Double room from 590 THB.
security
If the idea of long-tailed macaques roaming around seems daunting, Lop Buri should perhaps avoid it completely, because the old town with all the important sights is monkey territory. The primates are pretty clever, stronger than you think, and very curious. Many accommodations have barred windows or facades to prevent animals from entering.
It is recommended to carry a bamboo stick with you to ward off particularly aggressive specimens. In no case should you carry food with you (at least not if you want to eat it yourself); Valuables should be kept safe, otherwise they can be stolen very quickly. People who wear glasses should pay particular attention to their visual aids, as these can also appear desirable to the animals. You should absolutely avoid earrings, because glittering objects arouse the monkeys' interest and then possibly pull them. Long hair should never be worn open, the monkeys could cling to it.
The city council advises that the monkeys are already being fed regularly and is asking tourists not to do so. Otherwise they get used to it, then expect from all People get fed and potentially become aggressive when they don't. It's also dangerous because in some cases they also bite the hand that is feeding them. If you really want to do it anyway, you should just throw the food down, not let it eat out of your hand, or even try to irritate the monkeys.
health
If, despite all precautions, you are bitten by a monkey, your skin is more than superficially injured and you have not yet been vaccinated against rabies, you should do so immediately. In the vicinity of Prang Sam Yot there are several medical practices that have rabies vaccinations available; the doctors have at least a basic knowledge of English (rabies means "rabies").
Practical advice
| Phone code | 036 |
|---|---|
| Post Code | 15000 |
trips
- 9 Ang Sap Lek, the small lake located 20 km to the east is a popular destination for the locals. There are restaurants floating on bamboo rafts (menus mostly only in Thai) and bathing facilities. A little off the north-west bank, the temple, which is well worth seeing, sits enthroned on a rock 10 Wat Suwankhiri Pidok.
- Sunflower fields from Phatthana Nikhom. Approx. 50 km east of the provincial capital, the largest sunflower plantation in Thailand.
Footnotes
- ↑Nicolas Gervaise in a letter dated November 17, 1670. Quoted from Dirk van der Cruysse: Siam and the West, 1500-1700. Chiang Mai 2002, p. 89.
