Hanging Around Central Thailand

Five of us from International Community School decided to visit a mutual friend who is located a couple hours north of Bangkok, in Lopburi. I don't usually travel inland to the central part of Thailand so I jumped at the chance to head there with friends this past weekend. Most of the time I either fly to the southern islands, drive to the beaches on the bay or fly over the central zone to places like Chiang Mai in the north.

We decided to take the 10:50 train to the inner part of Thailand instead of hiring a driver and van for the day and I'm glad we did. This time, unlike the time we took the train to Hua Hin, we agreed to ride in an air conditioned car. No third class fans and open windows this time! It was an incredibly hot day (heat index over 100 degrees F) so, needless to say, I am glad our 4 hour travel time was in an air conditioned environment. It sure was worth the price: air conditioned ticket $11.50 vs non-airconditioned ticket $1.00.

Our first stop upon arrival in Lopburi was to eat lunch at an outdoor restaurant called NooM Guesthouse Restaurant that caters to the westerners -- everything from burgers on the menu to antique decor and genuine country music! I am continually baffled at what people call "antiques" these days, including bubble gum machines!? Doesn't seem that long ago when they were the rage on street corners and in drug stores.

By the way, Lopburi is known for gangs of monkeys roaming free around town. You don't have to venture far down any street in the central district before you see them walking the power lines or taking up residence in local stores. Interesting to watch these guys hanging around while we made our way to see the ruins at Somdet Phra Narai (see next post).

Amazing how the character of a place can be so different when traveling only a couple hours from your residence. Bangkok has its share of wildlife in the city -- such as monitor lizards, pythons and soi dogs -- but no monkeys hanging around!

Somdet Phra Narai Ruins

While in Lopburi, Christina recommended we visit a former royal palace called Somdet Phra Narai that was built in 1665 with the help of Italian and French engineers. Most of us agreed this was our favorite ruins visit to date in Thailand because a person can easily walk around and envision the premises the way it existed centuries ago.

Apparently the king of France, Louis XIV, send an envoy to Thailand where they met the king of Thailand in this royal palace. The king received guests from the upper tier and was apparently ticked off that the French visitors didn't know the appropriate protocol when approaching him, so the story goes.

It was wonderful to not only see the building ruins from the 17th century but to walk the manicured palace grounds. A definite must see for anyone traveling to Lopburi!