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 city’s turbulent
and alluring history and a glimpse of Thailand’s 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 town’s
architecture and was later commonly referred to as “Lop Buri
Style”. Remains of Khmer–Hindu architectural motifs
found in the city include the Shiva’s 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 Kingdom’s 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 city’s 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 Thailand’s democratic revolution, Marshall Poh Pibulsongkram
rebuilt a military camp near the city’s 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.
Distances from Amphoe Muang to Other Districts:
| Tha Wung |
15 kms. |
| Ban Mi |
32 kms. |
| Khok Samrong |
35 kms. |
| Phatthana Nikhom |
51 kms. |
| Nong Muang |
54 kms. |
| Sa Bot |
65 kms. |
| Khok Charoen |
77 kms. |
| Tha Luang |
83 kms. |
| Chai Badan |
97 kms. |
| Lam Sonthi |
120 kms. |
