📝 Written 2 Jul 2026 · ✅ Fact-checked 3 Jul 2026 · prices and schedules can change — check with the operator before booking
If there's one place you have to stop by in Lopburi, the answer is almost always Phra Prang Sam Yot — three Khmer castle towers standing in a row on a small rise in the middle of the old town, facing San Phra Kan shrine and just a short walk from Lopburi railway station. The towers are built of laterite and brick, decorated with stucco patterns whose outlines are still visible, and date back to around the 13th century, when Khmer culture extended its influence into this region. That backdrop of ancient architecture is what sets the scene apart so clearly from a typical Thai temple.
But what makes Phra Prang Sam Yot famous well beyond the province is the troop of hundreds of long-tailed macaques living around the site, climbing over the towers all day long. The sight of monkeys perched on the archways of a Khmer castle has become the defining image of Lopburi, recognized by Thai and international visitors alike. In this page we review the experience in depth — both the side that makes people fall in love with it, and the side you should brace yourself for before you actually go, especially when it comes to the monkeys, who are as adorable as they are mischievous.
Phra Prang Sam Yot (Lopburi's Monkey City)
Phra Prang Sam Yot is a Khmer castle built around the 13th century, when Khmer culture held sway over the Lopburi river basin. It's believed to have originally served as a Hindu or Mahayana Buddhist shrine before being converted into a Buddhist site in a later era. Its defining feature is three prang towers standing in a row along a north-south axis, linked by porches and galleries, built of laterite and brick and decorated with stucco patterns on the archways and tower bodies whose outlines are still visible today. It sits on a small rise in the middle of Lopburi's old town, near the railway station and San Phra Kan shrine, making it easy to reach by train from Bangkok and then continue on foot. Today it's maintained by the Fine Arts Department and stands as a landmark stop on any tour of Lopburi's old town.
What sets Phra Prang Sam Yot apart from other Khmer castles is the troop of hundreds of long-tailed macaques living around the site, climbing over the towers as naturally as can be. The sight of monkeys perched on the stone archways or lined up along the old walls is something visitors recognize instantly as Lopburi the moment they get their photos home. These monkeys are very accustomed to people and aren't afraid of tourists, so they'll come in close, climb right up on you, or grab whatever you're holding at any moment. That makes a visit here both a fun experience and one that requires constant vigilance. Many visitors say seeing both the ancient ruins and monkey behavior in one place is a strange, unforgettable sight.
Based on real reviews from people who've visited, Phra Prang Sam Yot holds an average rating of around 4.0 out of 5 on Tripadvisor from several hundred reviews. The consistent feedback is that the castle itself is beautiful and stands out as a distinctly Khmer structure in the middle of a city — while the monkeys are both the main draw and the biggest thing to watch out for. Some reviews say watching the monkeys is entertaining and makes for fun photos, but many reviews warn consistently that the monkeys are mischievous and very skilled at snatching things. There are cases of monkeys grabbing glasses, hats, water bottles, or rifling through bags, and some visitors have even been bitten or scratched badly enough to need a vaccination afterward. Another thing to prepare for is the smell and monkey droppings in certain spots, and on public holidays the crowds get noticeably heavier than usual. As this is a protected historical site, visitors should behave respectfully and avoid climbing on the towers where signs prohibit it.
- The three-pronged Khmer castle in the old town is a uniquely distinctive piece of architecture, quite different from a typical Thai temple — many reviews praise its beauty and history
- The troop of macaques climbing over the towers is a sight you won't find anywhere else, making for fun photos and Lopburi's most recognizable image
- Centrally located near Lopburi railway station and San Phra Kan shrine — easy to reach by train from Bangkok and continue on foot
- Cheap entry fee and a short visiting time, making it an easy stop on a tour of Lopburi's old town
- Mischievous monkeys may snatch valuables like glasses, hats, water bottles, or rifle through bags — keep everything secured at all times
- Some reviews mention being bitten or scratched badly enough to need a vaccination — take extra care if visiting with young children
- Certain spots have a smell and monkey droppings, and crowds are heavier than usual on public holidays
💡 Know before you go: Phra Prang Sam Yot (Lopburi's Monkey City)
The macaques here are very used to people and skilled at snatching things. Put glasses, hats, phones, and water bottles into a bag that closes securely. Don't carry plastic or paper bags in with you, since the monkeys will assume they're food. Avoid feeding them or making prolonged eye contact. If you're visiting with young children, hold their hand at all times.
Entry costs around ฿10 for Thai nationals and around ฿50 for foreign visitors. Bring cash to pay at the entrance. The fee covers the entire prang area, which takes about an hour to fully explore.
Generally open for visits from around 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Mornings are cooler and the monkeys are less active than later in the day, making for a more comfortable time to walk around and take photos. Check the latest closing time before you go.
In late November each year, Lopburi holds the Monkey Buffet Festival, laying out tables of fruit and food for the monkey troops around Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan shrine. This is an especially crowded time. If you want to catch this atmosphere, check that year's exact festival date in advance.
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Where to stay when visiting Lopburi?
Done exploring Phra Prang Sam Yot and want to stay somewhere near the old town to keep exploring the ruins? Compare well-located hotels right here.
Search hotels on AgodaQuick trick: If you want a great shot of the monkeys and the Khmer towers without risking having something snatched away, try shooting from a distance using a zoom lens or your phone's zoom instead of walking in close and raising your camera up. The moment you lift something up is exactly when monkeys are most likely to jump in and grab it. Secure everything else first, then pull out your phone and shoot quickly — it's a safer way to get the shot.
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