The monkeys get there first
Step out of the van in Lopburi's old town and the first thing you notice is not the ruins. It is the monkeys: on the walls, on the electric wires, on parked cars and on the steps of the shrines. Hundreds of long-tailed macaques live around Phra Prang Sam Yot, the three-towered Khmer-era shrine that is the symbol of the town, and around the San Phra Kan shrine nearby. Watching them is great fun, especially for children, but they are wild animals and very good at taking things.
- Put sunglasses, hats and phones away, or hold them firmly
- Do not carry food or plastic bags in your hand; that is what they come for
- Leave spare bags in the van with the driver while you walk around
- Do not stare at or tease the monkeys, and keep small children close
More than one shrine to see
Lopburi has a long history. The Khmer towers are the oldest part, and later King Narai of Ayutthaya made the town his second capital and built the palace that is now a museum, Phra Narai Ratchaniwet. With the shrine, the palace and the old-town streets, you have a full few hours of sightseeing without going far. The railway line runs right past Phra Prang Sam Yot, so do not be surprised to see a train roll by while the monkeys watch from the walls. The palace grounds are calmer and greener, a good place to slow down after the excitement at the shrine.
A van Pattaya to Lopburi heads north past Bangkok and on beyond Ayutthaya, so plan on about three and a half to four hours each way. That makes it a long day, not a quick outing. Most people leave early, see Lopburi through the middle of the day and are back in Pattaya in the evening, with a rest stop or two each way.
Ayutthaya on the same road
Because the route passes close to Ayutthaya, many visitors combine both into one trip, or stay a night on the way. If the old capital is also on your list, our Pattaya to Ayutthaya page explains how a day there usually works, and we can price the two together.
Send us your pick-up address, the number of people and the stops you want, and we confirm a fixed price for the whole vehicle in chat before the trip. That price includes tolls and fuel, and the driver waiting time and return journey are agreed in the same chat before you go, so a long day has no open questions at the end. No deposit is needed; you pay in cash after the ride. A Van Pattaya to Lopburi day in the Toyota Commuter seats up to nine people, which makes it an easy way for a family or a group of friends to share the drive.