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AMPHOE BAN MI
Ban Kluai
The village is well known for its carefully woven Mat Mi. The art
of weaving Mat Mi has been handed down over generations for more
than 135 years. The distinct features of Ban Kluais Mat Mi are its
unique pattern and supreme quality.
Wat Khao Wongkhot (Bat Cave)
Covering an area of 30 rai, Wat Khao Wongkhot is situated approximately
4 kilometers from Ban Mi city. The temple is built in the middle
of three mountains with the Reclining Buddha enshrined at the foot
of Sanam Daeng Mountain. Visitors are encouraged to stop at a pavilion
which keeps the un-deteriorated body of Charoen Ditsawanno venerable
Bhikku, former abbot of Wat Khao Wongkot who passed away in 1963.
Within the compound of Wat Khao Wongkhot is a bat cave which is
considered to be the largest in Lop Buri. With millions of bats
inhabiting the cave, the temple receives substantial revenues from
the sale of bat dung. The bats will fly out of the cave at 6 p.m.
to seek food. It takes up to 2 hours to empty the cave.
Wat Thammikaram
The canal side temple located on the west bank of Bang Kham canal,
Wat Thammikaram was formerly known as Wat Khang Khao (Bat Temple).
This was due to the fact that many thousands of bats used to live
there. Visitors to this temple usually marvel at its notable murals
which can be dated from the mid 1800s.
AMPHOE CHAI BADAN
 Nam
Tok Wang Kan Luang
Located approximately 12 kilometers from Lam Narai Market is a waterfall
that flows all year round. Perfect for people looking for a quite
and refreshing retreat from the town, the waterfall is accessible
via Chai Badan Tha Luang Road (Highway No. 2089). Look for the sign
of the waterfall and proceed for approximately 7 kilometers.
Wat Khao Somphot
This temple is located 38 kilometers from Chai Badan District. There
are 19 caves naturally decorated with stalactites and stalagmites
in the environs of the mountainous temple. Recommended caves to
visit include Tham Yai, Tham Chedi, Tham Phet, Tham Ram Wong, Tham
Singto, and etc.
AMPHOE LAM SONTHI
Sap Langka Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Kut Ta Phet Sub-district, Sap langka Wildlife Sanctuary
covers an area of 155 square kilometers or 96,875 rai of land. A
flatland amidst a valley, the Sanctuary is 140-846 meters above
sea level. This virgin and fertile jungle is where Maenam Lam Sonthi
originates and where the nearly-extinct animals dwell.
There are two natural trekking trails which are easy to follow.
The first is from Haui Prik to Tham (cave) Pha Pheung (a 3,200-meter
trip with a total travel time of approximately 2.5 hours). The second
is Haui Pradu trail which starts with a rafting trip to the 1,500-meter
trail along Tham Samui Kui and Tham Phra Nok.
(total travel time is approximately 1.5 hours)
Places of interest along both trails include Namtok Pha Phueng,
where water gushes down the high cliff all year round. The steep
trail winds through the side of the mountain to another part of
the waterfall. Nearby is the huge Pha Pheung Cave which is the home
of thousand bats. Stalagmites and stalactites are found in the cave
which ends at the high cliff. Other attractions include Pha Nam
Yoi and Namtok Sam Sai.
To get there by car, use Highway No. 205 from Chai Badan to Lam
Sonthi. Drive for 31 kilometers, turn to Kudtapetch Sub-district
and proceed for another 37 kilometers.
Please note that visitors are admitted only to certain areas. Contact
the Sanctuary Headquarters for more details on 02 562 0760 or visit
www.dnp.go.th.
AMPHOE MUEANG
Ban Hin Song Kon
The village located between Tha-le Chupson and Thanon Yai sub-districts
is famous for its chalk industry where Din So Phong (white clay)
is produced.
Kachornvit Mushroom Farm
Location: 71/1 Mu 6 Nikhom Sang Toneng Sub-District, Mueang District,
Lop Buri 15000
Since its establishment in 1981, the Mushroom Farm has developed
its technology to grow high-quality organic mushrooms using EM microbe.
Visitors can take a short tour of the farm or sample several kinds
of preserved mushrooms which are also available for sale. Farm-stay
accommodations are available but reservations must be made in advance.
Call 036 652442 or 07 0710683 for more details.
King Narai National Museum
This museum was established in 1924 by with the Phra Narai Ratchaniwet
as its exhibition halls. Currently, three historical buildings are
used to display various art objects, including an impressive collection
of Lop Buri-style sculpture and Khmer, Dvaravati, U-Thong and Ayutthaya
arts. In addition, traditional agricultural tools, including ploughs,
carts, grain separators and fish traps, are on display in different
buildings. The Museum opens daily except Monday and Tuesday, from
9.00a.m. to 4.00p.m. Admission fee is 30 baht. Museum services include:
lectures, tour guides, special exhibitions, slides, videos, postcards,
books and a gift shop.
King Narai the Great Shrine
The Statue of King Narai the Great is located near the town entrance.
It was built to honor King Narai the Great in forging ahead technological
development, foreign relations and prosperity to Lop Buri and the
Ayutthaya Kingdom. He was the first monarch to bring modern technology
into use such as the use of terra-cotta pipes and construction of
celestial observatory. He is also remembered for his neo-foreign
policy as he established close diplomatic ties with the European
powers.
Lop Buri Zoo
A 25-acre zoo is well known for its interesting residents: Asian
and Australian birds and mammals. The most striking feature of the
zoo is the unusual family of three tigers and four dogs who live
harmoniously together in the same quarters. The zoo is located behind
the Army Theatre near the Sa Kaew Circle. Opens daily from 8.00
a.m. 6.00 p.m.
Oasis Agro-Farm
Location: 85/2 Mu 13 Chong Sarika Sub-District, Phatthana Nikhom
District, Lop Buri 15220
An agro-tourism farm covering an area of 50 rai, Oasis Agro-Farm
was established in 2001 to raise imported ostriches from South Africa.
The farm is divided into different zones including a butterfly farm,
an ostrich ranch, a sunflower plantation, etc. Visitors can enjoy
hand-feeding the ostriches and driving a mini-tractor along the
sunflower plantation. Admission fee is 10 bahts/person. For more
information, contact Mr. Somchat Singhapol at 01 7808928 or 01 9941256
or you can visit www.oasisfarm.net to get a glimpse of the farm.
Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (King Narais Palace)
The palace was built in 1665 and 1677, when King Narai the Great
decided to make Lop Buri the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Although the buildings were designed by with the contributions of
French architects, the Khmer influence was still strong. The Palace
was a perfect blend of the both world, an awesome mixture of Khmer-European
styles.
After the death of King Narai the Great in 1688, the palace was
deserted. It was not until the reign of King Rama IV during the
Ratanakosin era, that the Palace was restored and renamed Narai
Ratchaniwet.
The Palace is located in the town center, between Ratchadamnoen
Road and Pratu Chai Road. The whole complex has been turned into
the Lop Buri National Museum (commonly known as King Narai National
Museum).
The Palace can be accessed through the Pratu Phayakkha, which is
currently a town park, located off Sorasak Road. The Palace opens
Wednesdays through Sundays from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Within the Palace lies a number of compounds containing pavilions,
some built during the reign of King Narai and others constructed
during the reign of King Rama IV.
Structures built during the reign of King Narai the Great include:
Chantara Phaisan Pavilion
The first Palace of King Narai the Great in Lop Buri, the Pavilion
was subsequently turned into an audience hall after he moved his
residence to the Suttha Sawan Pavilion. The fact that the building
is of pure Thai architectural style indicates that no French architects
were involved in the design and construction process. King Rama
IV (King Mongkut of the Ratanakosin era) restored the building in
1863. The Pavilion was once used by the privy-council as a meeting
hall. Now, it serves as a hall displaying archaeological and art
objects, especially the Lop Buri-style stone Buddha images, historic
paintings from the era of King Narai the Great and Buddhist art
objects from the Ayutthaya and Ratanakosin period.
Phra Khlang Supharat
This compound was built as a place to store royal treasures
and royal goods sold to foreign merchants during the late 1600s.
It is commonly known as the Twelve Treasure Houses.
Elephant and Horse Stables
This compound is located close to the wall separating the outer
and middle sections of the Palace.
The Water Reservoir
Constructed during the reign of King Narai the Great, the reservoir
stored water which came from a freshwater lake Tale Chupsorn, through
the well designed terra cotta pipes. Tale Chupsorn was the main
lake supplying drinking water to Lop Buri residents.
The Dusit Sawan Thanya Maha Prasat Hall
Constructed under the royal command of King Narai the Great,
the Hall was formerly used by King Narai as an audience hall receiving
high-ranking foreign ambassadors. This was the place where the King
received Chevalier de Chaumont, the representative of King Louis
XIV of France. The Hall was built in a perfect blending of French
and Thai architectural styles.
The Suttha Sawan Pavilion
The Pavilion was once located amidst a beautifully decorated
garden with ponds and fountains. This was the place where King Narai
the Great resided and died on 11 July 1688. Apart from the Pavilion,
which had been restored by King Mongkut, only the remains of man-made
hills and fountains can be seen.
Kraison Siharat Hall
Commonly known as Phra Thinang Yen, the Hall is located on an
island in a dried up lake, Thale Chupson, which once supplied fresh
drinking water to the people of Lop Buri. Kraison Siharat Hall was
used as the residence of King Narai, Jesuits and envoys of King
Louis XIV of France when they came to witness a lunar eclipse on
11 December, 1685
Phra Chao Hao Building
Built by King Narai the Great, the building is located to the
south of the outer section of the palace. Serving as the Kings private
audience hall, the building featured Thai-style architecture of
which it is currently possible to see only the remains of wall sections
with visible decorative motifs at the doors and windows.
Banquet Hall
Surrounded on three sides by ponds, the Hall was built to entertain
important foreign visitors. One of the remains includes a brick
platform facing the Hall, which was used as a stage or theater possibly
for shadow plays or dances indicating that the place was once used
as an entertainment compound.
Phiman Mongkut Pavilion
This pavilion was a three-story brick building where King Rama
IV (King Mongkut) resided when he visited Lop Buri during the renovation
of the Palace. Connected to the pavilion are three other buildings
namely Suttha Winitchai Pavilion, Chai Sattrakon Pavilion and Akson
Sattrakhom. All of these buildings are now being used as the offices
of the Lop Buri National Museum.
Phra Prathiap Building
A group of eight two-story buildings built behind King Mongkut's
residence (Phiman Mongkut Pavilion), which were used as residences
for inner court officials.
Royal Guards Residence
This is located at the entrance of the middle court.
 Phra
Prang Sam Yot
Located on Vichayen Road, approximately 200 meters from the railway
station, Phra Prang Sam Yot is Lop Buris best known landmark and
provincial symbol. A former Hindu Shrine built in the 13th century
in the classic Bayon style of Khmer architecture, the compound comprises
three prangs (towers) linked by a corridor. The three laterite and
sandstone spires decorated with classic stucco are believed to have
originally represented the Hindu Trimurti; Brahman (the creator),
Vishnu (the preserver) and Siva (the destroyer). During the reign
of King Narai, the shrine was converted into a Buddhist temple when
a brick viharn located to the east which houses a grand U-Thong-Ayutthaya
style Buddha image was probably built. Buddha images were later
added to the two prangs. The temple is open at 8.00 a.m. until 6.00
p.m., admission fee is 30 baht.
Prang Khaek
Prang Khaek is the oldest monument of Lop Buri and the oldest Khmer-style
Hindu Shrine to be found in Thailands central region. A fascinating
small compound of Khmer remains, it consists of the three brick
prangs constructed without adjoining corridors. Prang Khaek was
restored by King Narai the Great in the 17th century. Recently restored
by the Fine Arts Department, it is located on Vichayen Road, near
the Narai Ratchaniwet Palace.
San Phra Kan
Another former Brahman Shrine located next to Wat Phra Prang Sam
Yot, across the railway station, is San Phra Kan. The compound is
comprised of both old and new sections. The former can be dated
back to the Khmer period, as attested by the laterite mound that
was found. The new section, constructed in 1951, contains a famous
object of worship a four-armed Vishnu figure fixed with a Buddha's
head. Located nearby is a guardian house in which various Buddha
and Hindu images are enshrined. A troop of monkeys begging for food
usually surrounds the Shrine. Sometimes, they can become offensive
to visitors, especially those giving out food for their photographs.
Vichayen House
The Vichayen House was built at the royal command of King Narai
the Great. It initially served as a residence of Chevalier de Chaumont,
the first French ambassador to Thailand during the reign of King
Louis XIV. Later on, it was occupied by the Greek, Constantine Phaulkon,
who later became King Narais advisor and was granted the position
of royal minister Chao Phraya Vichayen. Located just 300 meters
from Prang Khaek, the compound has many interesting visible ruins
including the Roman Catholic Chapel, a hall of residence for ambassador
and mission members, brick water tanks and fountains. Admission
fee is 30 bahts.
Wat Mani Chonlakhan
Built during the reign of King Mongkut, the temple was originally
called Wat Ko Kaew as it was located on a small island. Remains
found in the compound include the Chedi Luang Pho Saeng, the ubosot,
the viharn and a large Buddha image situated along the riverside.
Wat Nakhon Kosa
Located north of the railway station near San Phra Kan is Wat Nakhon
Kosa which may have originally been a Hindu Shrine as the temple
was built in 1157 by the Khmers. Later on, U-Thong style cement
Buddha images were added on the prangs.
 Wat
Phra Si Maha That
The oldest temple with tallest Prang in Lop Buri, Wat Phra Si Maha
That is located behind the railway station near the San Phra Kan.
The Lop-Buri style prang in front of the temple was built around
1157 when the town came under Khmer rule. The U-Thong style Buddha
images on the prang and the large viharn were later added by King
Narai the Great. The laterite prang still has some original lintels
and stucco work intact. A number of other chedis and prangs - most
of which were restored were greatly influenced by both the Sukhothai
and Ayutthaya styles.
Wat San Paulo
A Jesuit Church founded by the Portuguese during the reign of King
Narai the Great, Wat San Paulo is situated approximately 3 kilometers
east of town, off of Ramdaecho Road. The word San Paulo was probably
dubbed by Thais especially when they pronounced Saint Paul or Saint
Paulo in Thai style. Visible in the site are the remains of a brick
wall and stucco tower, as well as an octagonal, 3-story, observatory.
Wat Sao Thong Thong
Situated on Rue de France, to the north of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet,
this western style viharn was believed to have originally been built
by King Narai the Great as a church for Christian envoys. It was
subsequently restored by King Narai the Great, who ordered the replacement
of Thai windows with Western-style windows with Gothic-designs in
the secondary chapel. Later on, the viharn was converted into a
Buddhist temple. It contains a large seated Ayutthaya-style Buddha
image.
In addition, assorted Lop-Buri style Buddha images can be found
on the surrounding walls.
Wat Yang Na Rangsi (Lop Buri Boat Museum)
Located on the bank of the Lop Buri River, 9 kilometers south of
the town center along the Lop Buri-Bang Pahan route is Wat Yang
Na Rangsi. The temple is famous for its Buddha images which were
made of sandstone and quartz. It is also notable for its wooden
sala (a wooden teaching hall) which was built in 1927 in a typical
central region style. The sala has been converted into the Lop Buri
Boat Museum, where a large collection of local vessels, in particular
a one-seat barge, are exhibited.
AMPHOE PHATTHANA NIKHOM
Bee Farm
Location: Soi 24 Sai Tri, Mo 9 Phatthana Nikhom District, Lop Buri
15220
The center distributes information and knowledge on Bee cultivation
in Thailand. It is also a place where natural bees products including
royal jelly, honey (from sunflower, natural honey extracts, etc.)
and other honey-related products are on sale.
Khuen Pa Sak Cholasit
The biggest reservoir in Central Thailand, the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam
was constructed as part of the Maenam Pa Sak Royal Development Project,
an initiative of King Bhumibol. Constructed in 1989, the earth (soil)-filled
dam with a clay core was granted the name by His Majesty the King
who presided over its opening on 25 November 1999. The Dam stretches
over Lop Buri and Saraburi Provinces. It is 4,860 meters long with
a capacity of 785 million cubic meters.
Pa Sak Cholasit Dam is a major source of water for household, agriculture
and industrial use in Lop Buri and Saraburi Provinces. Moreover,
it helps prevent flooding on the Pasak riverside and Bangkok and
its outskirts. The dam also provides large-scale, fresh-water fish
for locals.
An emerging tourist attraction, Pa Sak Cholasit Dam offers a unique
opportunity to travel across the reservoir by train. The railway
was constructed along the dams ridge which leads to Pa Sak Basin
Museum and a scenic lookout point above the dam. The journey offers
a breathtaking and refreshing view of the reservoir, and also a
bed of sunflowers.
Getting to Pa Sak Cholasit Dam is easy. By car from Lop Buri city,
take Highway No. 3017 (Phatthana Nikhom Wat Mueang) for a total
distance of 60 kilometers. It is highly recommended to take the
trip by train during November January. The State Railway of Thailand
operates a special route to and from Bangkok-Pa Sak Cholasit Dam
every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. For more information,
contact tel: 02 223 7101 or 02 223 7020.
 Sunflower
Field
The largest sunflower field in Thailand is located in Tambon Chong
Sarika, Phatthana Nikom District. The panoramic sunflower field
has become Lop Buri's major tourist attraction especially during
November to January when they are in full bloom. To travel from
Bangkok, drive along the Lop Buri-Saraburi Road for approximately
30 kilometers, then turn left into Highway No. 21 and proceed for
another 15 kilometers. Traveling from Lop Buri town center, the
sunflower field is located approximately 45 kilometers from the
town.
AMPHOE THA WUNG
Wat Lai
Located on the bank of Maenam Bang Kham in Tha Wung District, approximately
24 kilometers from town, the Ayutthaya-period temple is famous for
its chapel. Decorated with stucco in various designs showcasing
Buddhas previous life and his first sermon after attaining enlightenment,
the chapel illustrates extraordinary Thai craftsmanship which is
truly exquisite. There is also the Phra Si Ari Buddha image which
local people have worshipped for generations.
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