🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Most people picture the monkeys the moment they think of Lopburi, and that's fair enough. But the city really has two main areas that you visit in completely different ways. There's the old town in the center, with its palace, temples, shrine and monkeys, all walkable within a short distance. And there's the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam area over in Phatthana Nikhom district, roughly 40–50 km out, which is all nature, the dam, the floating train and the sunflower fields. Knowing this split up front makes planning a lot easier.
The Monkeys — Where and How to Be Careful
Lopburi's monkeys aren't spread across the whole city the way they used to be. After 2024 there was a serious effort to manage them, and the number in the city center has dropped noticeably. These days the monkeys are only concentrated at a few spots — you won't run into them on every street corner the way a lot of people fear.
- Phra Prang Sam Yot — the spot with the most monkeys. They're used to people and bold about approaching, so be especially careful here.
- San Phra Kan Shrine — directly across from Phra Prang Sam Yot, with its own resident troop. Plenty of people come to pay respects, and the monkeys follow.
- Around these two spots — you'll still see the odd monkey on the nearby streets and shophouses, but it's much thinner now.
Rules for Surviving the Monkeys
Don't walk around holding a plastic bag or food out in the open — the monkeys will rush in to grab it · Take off your sunglasses, hat and earrings, and keep your phone tucked away, because they love yanking at anything shiny · Don't stare a monkey down for too long; they read it as a challenge · Don't hand-feed them · If you want a close-up photo, watch what's in your bag — a zipped, fully closed bag is your friend.
Book the activities in your Lopburi trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
When Do the Sunflowers Bloom?
This is the question people ask most before heading to Lopburi. The answer: the sunflowers mostly bloom from November through January. Some off-season plots may start flowering as early as late October. Lopburi grows more sunflowers than anywhere else in Thailand, and the fields bloom at different times rather than all at once across the province.
Check Before You Set Off
Each field blooms on its own schedule and the flowers fade fast. Before you go, check the field's Facebook page or call TAT Lopburi (036-770096) to ask which plots are in good bloom — it'll save you a wasted trip · Khao Jeen Lae sunflower field is the most popular spot, since it has mountains as a backdrop.
If you come to Lopburi outside the November–January window, you'll still have a great time, because the old town, the dam and the floating train run year-round — you just won't catch the yellow fields. Don't plan a trip around the sunflowers in April or mid-year, because there won't be any.
Getting to Lopburi and Around the City
- Train — the popular choice. Take it from Hua Lamphong/Bang Sue to Lopburi station, around 2.5–3 hours. The station is right by the old town, so you can walk straight to Phra Prang Sam Yot.
- Private car — about 150 km from Bangkok, a 2–2.5 hour drive. Best if you're heading out to Pa Sak Dam and the sunflower fields, which are far out and hard to reach by public transport.
- Van/coach — runs from Mo Chit and Rangsit, dropping you in Lopburi town.
- Within the old town — the main historic sites are close together and walkable. For anything farther out, use a motorbike taxi or a songthaew.
You Need Wheels for the Dam Area
Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, the Khao Jeen Lae sunflower field and the Phatthana Nikhom viewpoints are in a different zone from the old town, 40–50 km out. Without your own car you'll want to rent one or hire a driver, otherwise it gets really difficult.
A 2-Day, 1-Night Plan for First-Timers
This plan covers both zones on a first visit. Day one is the old town on foot — palace, temples and monkeys. Day two heads out to nature on the Pa Sak Dam side with the floating train. Adjust the timing to suit you.
Lopburi Old Town · Palace, Temples and Monkeys
Pa Sak Dam · The Floating Train and Nature
Food You Shouldn't Skip
Lopburi has local food made the same way for generations, both in the old town and around the dam. If you're short on time, just grab a bite along the route the plan takes you.
Old-town eats
Long-running eateries and local sweets are scattered around King Narai's Palace — easy to graze on between the historic sites
Khok Salung station market
Local food and OTOP goods from villagers, right by the floating-train line — a good stop on the way to the dam
Pa Sak Dam-side restaurants
Several dam-view restaurants in the Phatthana Nikhom zone, nice for a breezy lunch by the water
When to Go and How Many Days
- November–January — the best window: cool weather, sunflowers in bloom, and the floating train usually running.
- Outside sunflower season — the old town, the dam and the temples are open all year; you just miss the flower fields.
- 1 day — enough for a quick run through the old town, good as a there-and-back day trip by train.
- 2 days, 1 night — about right: you get both the old town and the dam area without rushing.
See where to stay and the full Lopburi travel guide
See the Lopburi guide →