Lina Forrestal

There is a TON to do in the city of Bangkok. Like any big city, there are so many tourist attractions (and tourist traps!). If you’ve exhausted Bangkok tourist attractions and are looking for a fun and different day trip- visiting Lopburi is for you!

Lopburi is a city that’s run by monkeys. If you’re from the West, I can guarantee that you’ve never seen anything like it!

Getting to Lopburi from Bangkok:

Getting to Lopburi is really easy! I recommend taking the train at Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok. You can book tickets in advance on the State Railway of Thailand website. Book the Special Express train. It’s the nicest train (with air conditioning) and it will get you there in 2 hours instead of 3 hours. You’ll pay about $21.50 USD roundtrip. I recommend going early in the morning and coming back by mid afternoon. The monkey temple is less crowded in the morning, it’s cooler (temperature wise) and better for photo ops!

Once you get off the train, I recommend you use the restroom at the train station before you embark on your adventure. They charge you 3thb, but the restrooms are clean and once you leave the train station, public restrooms are scarce! Don’t forget to ask for toilet paper before you go in!

Upon leaving the train station itself, there will be tuk tuks and taxis trying to peddle you to take them to the temple, but it’s an easy 10 minute walk! If you turn directly right, you can see the Monkey Temple (Prang Sam Yot) right down the street. Walk along the sidewalk on the left side of the street until you get there. You might even seen some critters on your way there! See the map below for the walk from the train station to the temple.

Monkey Temple aka Prang Sam Yot

It will cost you about 50 baht ($1.50 USD) to get in. Prang Sam Yot is a great way to get up and personal with the macaques! They will jump on you, especially if you have a backpack on. If you don’t want them to jump on you, you can simply just shoo them away with your feet! It’s recommended to not wear hats or sunglasses because they will steal them off your head/face. Ladies, avoid wearing dangly earrings or bracelets. I also recommend wearing long pants and sneakers.

Disclaimer: Although no rabies cases have been reported in Lop Buri, it’s advised that if you get bit or scratched by a monkey that you visit the emergency room for rabies. They have been vaccinating monkeys for rabies in Lopburi, but if you get bit or scratched and it breaks the skin and there is blood, then there is the possibility of rabies being transmitted. You can die from rabies! It’s not one of those things where you only take action once there are symptoms. I highly recommend Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok if you need treatment! The facility is clean, the emergency room is fast, and all of the doctors, nurses, and front desk speak English.

Where to Eat in Lopburi

After you’re done getting assaulted by monkeys, you’ll probably be craving somewhere nice to get a bite to eat or drink before you return back to Bangkok. There are two places I recommend just a 5 minute walk from the temple.

There’s a cute little cafe that does lovely desserts and teas! It’s called เพ-ลา เพลิน. In English, it translates to “Pleasure Time”. I promise it’s a dessert cafe.