Lopburi was the first destination on my recent, epic road trip around central Thailand. And although I was sad—as always—to leave Bangkok behind, I felt surprisingly motivated as I sped northward away from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Part of this (and I’m trying not to spoil too much here in the intro) was because of the fact that I headed first to where the action was. Or lack of action, rather—the Khao Chin Lae Sunflower Field was surprisingly empty of other people, even considering that it was a Monday morning.
Indeed, beyond the particular things to do in Lopburi (which I’ll outline more specifically in just a moment), a big part of why I love this province so much is just how…separate it feels, in spite of being day-trip distance from the capital. Allow me to explain.
How to Get to (and Around) Lopburi
Getting from Bangkok to Lopburi is relatively quick and easy, so much so that a certain number of travelers come here on day trips. You basically have two options for how to do this: Train from Bang Sue Station (for now, some from Hua Lamphong also head here); or minivan from Mo Chit Bus Terminal. Depending on which departure you take, you can expect a journey time of around 2-4 hours door-to-door.
However, it’s not getting to Lopburi that’s typically the problem—it’s getting around. If you simply plan to explore the town center (i.e. Phra Prang Sam Yot and the monkeys that may or may not be there, plus the night market), you can probably get by e entirely on foot. If, on the other hand, you want to visit the sunflower fields or other attractions outside of town, you might consider getting your own set of wheels, be that a rental vehicle, or hiring a car and driver from your hotel.
What to Do in Lopburi
See the monkeys—if you can find them
Up until a couple of years ago, you could get off the train or bus in Lopburi and find hundreds, if not thousands of monkeys. Then, in 2024, local authorities removed most monkeys, as they had become a menace. While you can still see a dozen or two or the critters at iconic Phra Prang Sam Yot temple every evening just before sunset, I wouldn’t count on them being central to your trip, as they might’ve been in the recent past.
Lunch on Texas-style BBQ
A completely unexpected addition to my Lopburi itinerary occurred when I arrived in the town center (I actually began at the next attraction I’m about to spotlight) and set out to find something to eat. To my surprise (and, later, delight) the guest house I happened upon (Noom) served Texas-style BBQ ribs. They were juicy and delicious, with flavorful, authentic sauce. And I say this as someone who was born in Houston!
Come in winter to see the sunflowers
As I referenced above, I actually began my time in Lopburi at the Khao Chin Lae sunflower field. Located about 30 minutes east of town, it’s not the only place in the Lopburi area to see sunflowers, though both during my research and my on-the-ground exploration, I found it to be the one that I preferred. Surprisingly, there were very few people there, though this might have been because it was a Monday.
See other attractions outside of town
Many other things to do in Lopburi are located outside the city center, from Pasak Jolasid Dam (where a local train famous “floats” over the flooded scene) to the Wat Khao Wong Prachan Buddha, an image of which I saw on social media was what actually sealed the deal for me that I needed to go to Lopburi in the first place. Now, you don’t necessarily have to visit either of these spots (or the others), though if you do, a car will come in handy.
Stay to enjoy the night market
Whether or not you sleep in Lopburi (a topic I’ll cover in greater detail in just a moment), you will want to stay until after night falls. Not only to watch sunset behind Phra Prang Sam Yot, mind you, but also to eat your way through the Train Station Night Market. This place is as much a feast for the eyes as it is one for the stomach, and is a fantastic place to end your day, no matter what you got up to while here.
Should You Stay Overnight in Lopburi?
As I mentioned earlier in this piece, Lopburi is a quasi-popular day trip destination, both among local Thais as well as foreign tourists. If you’re fine heading out early and going back late, and have a relatively compact list of things you want to do in Lopburi, then it is certainly not “necessary” to stay here overnight. You can come for a very full day, and sleep back in the capital.
Likewise, most Lopburi hotels leave a lot to be desired, further hurting arguments in favor of staying overnight. On the flip-side, staying overnight here can be useful if Lopburi is one of many stops in central Thailand, be that as part of a road trip like I took, or in some other arrangement. Spending a night or two here can also take some pressure off you if you want to explore far and wide, but don’t plan to have a car or motorbike.
Other FAQ About Visiting Lopburi
Is Lopburi worth visiting?
Lopburi is definitely worth visiting, if you are intentional about what you want to see. For better or worse, there aren’t nearly as many monkeys in the center of town, which reduces the appeal of a mindless day trip. By contrast, if you plan to have your own vehicle and/or stay overnight, attractions outside the town center tip the fulcrum more in favor of making the journey here.
How long to spend in Lopburi?
It’s totally possible to visit Lopburi on a day trip, particularly if you head out early, and either plan to spend all day in the city center, or are comfortable organizing transportation to see particular attractions well in advance. On the other hand, I did enjoy my overnight stay here, if only because it left space for me to explore much more than I would’ve otherwise been able to see.
What is Lopburi known for?
Historically, Lopburi was known for the large number of monkeys in its center, particularly at the Khmer-style Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. In recent years, however, the monkeys have been “cleaned up,” and many tourists instead flock here in December and January, to see the sunflowers of Kao Chin Lae.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re searching for things to do in Lobpuri, or need more of a metaphorical kick in the pants to take a trip to this underrated corner of Thailand, you’re in the right place. Lopburi, whether you go on a day trip (as most travelers do) or stay overnight (ideally, as part of a central Thailand road trip), is absolutely lovely. I appreciated it even more, in fact, in the context of an adventure that also saw me visiting Phetchabun, Ayutthaya and Ang Thong within the span of a few days. Need personalized help planning out your central Thailand trip? Consider commissioning a custom Thailand itinerary, and let me do the heavy lifting.
