Lopburi 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.