Wandering Wonderful Phra Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat

The understated highlight of Lopburi is a rambling old Khmer-era temple complex, Wat Phrasi Rattana Mahathat. Spread out, plenty of stupas, nice lawn, a few delightful details.

It's a royal temple complex, initially built in the 12th and 13th centuries. The structures have a classic, Khmer, Angkor style to them.

A couple of impressive stupas and a later addition from the 1600s, by King Narai the Great as part of his palace there.

The main prang, still with original stucco.

Mini shrine. The best stupa, featuring a ring of angel figures at the top.

Another look at the spread.

Peeking At The Past At King Narai's Palace

King Narai's Palace, located in Lopburi, Thailand, is a beautifully restored area of town that's now a nice museum, renamed with the longish title Somdet Phra Narai National Museum. No matter the identity, the partially ruined grounds and restored museum buildings are a nice place to visit.

The palace was built by King Narai the Great in 1666 and he used it for about eight to nine months each year, avoiding the rainy season. Hunting, relaxation, riding the elephants.

A view of Phiman Mongkut pavillion and Chantara Phisan Hall.

Impressive palace grounds. Big, white gates and brick elephant stables.

Inside the museum, a romp through hundreds of years of Lopburi history, up to colonial times.

Archeological finds and traditional Thai artifacts.

Ruins on the lawn.