Backpacking in Thailand - 24 Dec 09

Day 6 - Day in Lopburi

Day 6 was spent exploring Lopburi old city in the morning and afternoon.

We boarded the Chiang Mai bound train at 5pm and had another sleepless overnight train ride.

Wat Sao Thong Thong This temple is just right next to the morning market. It is an interesting temple, having been a mosque and a church at some point in time. The first unusual thing which I noticed is the pointed arch -- more commonly found in mosques than in Buddhist temples. The main viharn enshrines a majestic Buddha image. There are antique Buddha statues on the niches on both side of the walls. The viharn is only open in the early morning. When I came by again in the afternoon, it was locked. So do drop by early if you want to visit the shrine hall.

Lopburi's "Chinatown" This was not mentioned in the guidebooks. I came upon this area by chance. The northern stretch of Phra Ram Road next to the Lopburi River from San Luk Son northwards has an old town charm to it. There were many old houses and many Chinese shops. It is an interesting area to explore. There are 2 Chinese temples around there. One is the San Luk Son and the other one the temple of the City God (Cheng Huang 城隍庙). There is also a small morning market in an alley.

The Luang Pho Saeng Pagoda and Wat Maneecholakhan The three tiered Luang Pho Saeng Pagoda is at the northwestern corner of Lopburi old town. The pagoda is unusual as it is not the usual like the usual round stupa nor like the Khmer prangs. Opposite the pagoda, there is a temple with a huge Buddha statue that over looks the Lopburi river.

King Narai's National Museum The museum is converted from King Narai's Palace. This is a sprawling compound with ruins in a garden setting. It's a good way to escape the mid-day heat. The collection in the museum is not too big, but still worth the visit. There are some interesting exhibits as well as a few beautiful Buddha images.

Wat Phra Sri Raitanamahathat Although this temple complex features Khmer style prangs, this is a distinctively Buddhist temple. There are images of Buddhas on the frescos, as well as round chedis (stupas). There is also a viharn (main shrine hall). This ruin complex is just opposite the railway station. In the evening, the school kids waiting for the train to get home treat the place as a play ground. There was a group kicking a soccer ball around, never mind the damage the flying ball could cause to the temple. A few couples were scattered all over the temple.

The railway station While quite not a place of tourist interest, the buzz at the railway station was very interesting in the evening. We were only in the railway station because we waiting for our Chiang Mai bound train. The station were full of high school students waiting for the local service train to the nearby towns. There was an interesting and lively atmosphere in that reeked the charm of a simple old town.