Lop Buri, formerly known as “Lawo”, was one of the important ancient towns of the Khmers from the 10th-13th century. Many Khmer ruins are found in and around this town. During the Ayutthaya period. King Narai the Great established Lop Buri as the second capital with the help of French architects. Most of the architecture of that time reflects the mixture of Thailand Western styles. Attractions Phra Prang Sam Yot – This former Hindu
shrine is some 200 metres from the railway
Wat Phra Sri Rattana Maha That – This temple is
located behind the railway station near Phra Kan Shrine. The Lop
Buri style prang or tower fronting the temple was built around
1157 when the town was ruled by the Khmer. The U-Thong style Vichayen House – was a residence for Chevalier de Chaumont, the first French ambassador to Thailand during the reign of Louis XVI. Later, the place was occupied by Chao Phraya Vichayen. Many ruined buildings dot the compound, one served as a Roman Catholic chapel. Others were residences for the ambassador and mission members. Ruined brick water tanks and fountains are visible. Narai Ratchaniwet Palace – This palace in the town centre was built by King Narai and took 12 years to be completed (1665-1677). Now the whole compound has been turned into the Lop Buri National Museum and houses the following historical buildings.
King Narai Reign Fair- This fair commemorates
the reign of King Narai the Great, the Ayutthaya monarch best
known for his promotion of diplomatic relations with European
powers during the mid-1600s. The fair is centred at King Narai’s
Palace and features processions, a light and sound presentation,
folk entertainment and sales of local products. |
station
and is Lop Buri’s best known landmark. The laterite and
sandstone structure was constructed in the Lop Buri style and
decorated with stucco. The three adjoining towers signify the
Hindu Trinity of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and
Shiva the destroyer. During the reign of King Narai, the shrine
was converted to a Buddhist temple.
This former Brahman shrine is adjacent
to Phra Prang Sam Yot. It consists of an ancient Khmer ruin and
a shrine constructed in 1951 for a worshipped four-armed deity
figure with a Buddha image’s head. The monkeys living in
the compound sometimes cause mischief when approached.
Buddha
images on the prang were added at a later date. The temple was
probably restored during the reign of King Narai the Great.
Sunflower
Field – Some 45 kms from the town, Thailand’s
largest sunflower plantation in Amphoe Phatthana Nikhom attracts
all passersby when the flowers are in full bloom from November
to January.