Lopburi is a fairly small province in Central Thailand some 150 kilometers North of Bangkok. The province with the capital city bearing the same name is mainly known for its historical sites such as the Khmer style Prang Sam Yot and King Narai’s Palace, as well as for the large number of very cheeky monkeys hanging around in various parts of the city.
Lopburi is one of Thailand’s oldest cities, being inhabited continuously since the Dvaravati era, that started 15 centuries ago. During the 10th century Lopburi became part of the Khmer empire that was expanding towards the West. The Khmers built a number of impressive monuments, many of which still exist today.
Later the city came under the influence of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, that was founded around the middle of the 14th century. During the reign of King Narai the Great in the second half of the 17th century, Lopburi was made the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.