MARCHES PAST TOUR SUMMARY
LOPBURI HISTORICAL CITY - 25 January 2013
 Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

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Overview……..Lopburi some 150 kilometres north of Bangkok is an ancient town in central Thailand which has supported a sophisticated urban community as far back as the 7th century AD which predates Thailand’s (Siam’s) first monarchy. According to the Northern Chronicles it was founded by King Kalavarnadish, who came from Taxila (Takkasila) in Northwest India (now Pakistan) in 648 AD. It blossomed under an emerging Angkor regime and has remained an important economic, political, cultural and religious centre to this day. Lopburi's contunued settlement can be classified into five main periods. Pre-historic period 4,500-1,500 years ago. Dvaravati period 7th-11th centuries. Lopburi period 11th-13th centuries. Ayutthaya period 14th-18th centuries. Rattanakosin period restoration in the period of King Rama IV. Evidence of each of these periods can be found in or around Lopburi to this day. Lopburi province is symbolized by the monkey. In the town these creatures congregate in the daytime at Phra Prang Sam Yot to the amusement of visitors. They are revered locally and form part of Chinese New Year celebtation, this year held on February 10th.
Photo gallery click to view
STR 3rd class railway carriage Thailand State Railways preserved steam locomotive Lopburi railway station Wat Nakhon Kosa Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat
Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Lopburi street scene
Prang Khaek Sanctuary Ban Luang Rap Ratchathut (Ban Wichayan) Wat Peun Rue de France street sign Rue de France Lopburi resident Lopburi monkeys at Phra Prang Sam Yot Lopburi monkeys at Phra Prang Sam Yot
Lopburi monkeys at Phra Prang Sam Yot Lopburi monkeys at Phra Prang Sam Yot Buddhist relic at Phra Prang Sam Yot bats in the 'belfry' Phra Prang Sam Yot San Phra Kan (Phra Kan Shrine) entrance to new Phra Kan Shrine new Phra Kan Shrine
Itiniary……..For full report click on travel log
Day 1, Bangkok to Lopburi and return.
Excursions.....(These were entirely on foot).
Wat Nakhon Kosa, Prang Khaek Sanctuary, San Phra Kan (Phra Kan Shrine), Phra Prang Sam Yot, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Phra Narai Ratchaniwet, Ban Luang Rap Ratchathut (Ban Wichayan), Wat Peun, Rue de France
Weather
rain shower at midday, otherwise overcast but hot and humid 30-35c.
Dining out
I found a cosy little restaurant near Phra Narai Ratchaniwet and noticed they did a northern speciality noodle soup called kow soi. It seems this restaurant is popular with tourists.
Transport used
Bangkok aircon. city bus 554, 2 way around 20 baht each.
Ordinary train 201 for Pitsanulok, Don Meuang to Lopburi, 24 baht.
minivan Lopburi to Rangsit, 120 baht.