Lopburi day trip from Bangkok

Last updated: October 13, 2026

Lopburi sits about 150 km north of Bangkok, two and a half hours by private van. The town packs two very different sights into one day: Phra Prang Sam Yot, the 13th-century Khmer temple known as the monkey temple, and the sunflower fields around Khao Chin Lae, which bloom in the cool season from about mid-November to January. A van covers both in one loop, with the fields in the morning and the old town after lunch.

The cool season is the time to go. The weather stays comfortable, the sunflowers reach full height in December, and the town holds its Monkey Buffet Festival on the last Sunday of November, which falls on 29 November in 2026.

When is the Lopburi sunflower field season

The sunflowers around Lopburi bloom from about mid-November to January, with December the most reliable month for tall, full fields. The exact start shifts each year with the rains. A dry year can push the bloom back by a few weeks, and a wet one can bring it forward.

Check before setting off. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Lopburi office posts updates on which fields are flowering during the season, and the driver can confirm the latest on the morning of the trip.

Where are the Lopburi sunflower fields

The best-known Lopburi sunflower field sits at the foot of Khao Chin Lae, a limestone mountain in Phatthana Nikhom district, about 30 to 40 km east of Lopburi town. The mountain gives the fields their classic backdrop. Smaller fields line the roads in the same area, and farmers charge a small entry fee at some of them.

Morning light suits the fields best. The flowers face the sun early, the air stays cooler, and the crowds arrive later in the day. Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, the largest reservoir in central Thailand, sits in the same part of the province and makes a scenic stop on the way.

Lopburi monkey temple, Phra Prang Sam Yot

Phra Prang Sam Yot is a Khmer-style temple with three linked prangs (towers), built in the 13th century and registered as a historical site in 1936. Long-tailed macaques have lived around the temple and the nearby San Phra Kan shrine for generations, and locals regard them as followers of the spirit that protects the city.

Lopburi has changed in the last few years. The town moved many of its monkeys into a municipal enclosure about 2.5 km from the temple to reduce clashes with residents and shops. Monkeys still gather at Phra Prang Sam Yot, most of all late in the day, but fewer roam the streets than in older travel photos. Visit for the Khmer architecture first and treat the monkeys as part of the scene.

Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival 2026

Every year on the last Sunday of November, Lopburi lays out a feast of fruit, vegetables and sweets for the monkeys around Phra Prang Sam Yot. The 2026 festival falls on Sunday 29 November. Thousands of visitors come for the spectacle, so expect heavy traffic into town that morning and plan an early start.

Lopburi day trip itinerary with timings

This itinerary puts the sunflowers in the morning and the monkey temple in the afternoon:

On festival day, swap the order. Head to Phra Prang Sam Yot first for the buffet, then drive out to the sunflowers in the afternoon. Outside the sunflower season, drop the fields and add a slower morning in the old town.

For other ancient capitals within a day’s drive, our historical day trips from Bangkok cover the main routes.

Monkey safety tips at the Lopburi monkey temple

Lopburi’s macaques know how to open bags and snatch loose items, and bites happen every season. Follow these rules around the temple:

• Carry no food or drinks in view. Monkeys recognise plastic bags and snack wrappers on sight.
• Secure sunglasses, hats, earrings and phones. Anything loose or shiny becomes a target. A zipped bag worn on the front works best.
• Avoid staring or showing your teeth. Monkeys read both as a challenge.
• Skip feeding and touching. A monkey that expects food from you follows you and grabs.
• Stay still, then walk away slow, when a monkey climbs on you. Shaking it off or shouting makes it grip harder. Temple staff carry sticks and step in when needed.
• See a doctor after any bite or scratch. Clean the wound and get it checked the same day.

What to wear for a Lopburi day trip

The day mixes temples, open fields and plenty of sun:

• Cover shoulders and knees for Phra Prang Sam Yot, San Phra Kan and King Narai’s Palace. A light long skirt or trousers and a shirt with sleeves work in the heat.
• Wear closed shoes with grip. Field paths turn dusty or muddy, and temple steps stay uneven.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen and water. The sunflower fields have little shade.
• Leave dangling jewellery at the hotel. It attracts monkeys and catches on things.
• Pack a light layer. Cool-season mornings in central Thailand feel fresh before the sun climbs.

Why a private van beats the train to Lopburi

Trains run from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat station to Lopburi in about two hours, and Lopburi station sits a short walk from Phra Prang Sam Yot. For the monkey temple alone, the train works.

The sunflower fields change the maths. Khao Chin Lae lies 30 to 40 km east of the station, with no regular train or bus that drops visitors at the fields. Rail travellers arrive in town, then hire a local truck or taxi for the round trip to the fields, all on a fixed train timetable. Departures run at set hours and return seats fill on festival weekends.

A private van leaves your hotel at 06:00, reaches the fields while the flowers face the sun, adds the dam and the old town, and brings you back to the hotel door. Families with children or older travellers skip the station transfers, the platform waits and the truck hire. GoThai Transport prices each trip per vehicle, so a group of four or five shares one fare.

Lopburi day trip FAQ

How far is Lopburi from Bangkok?

About 150 km north of Bangkok. The drive takes around two and a half hours by private van, depending on traffic leaving the city.

When do the Lopburi sunflowers bloom?

From about mid-November to January, with December the most reliable month. The exact timing shifts with each year’s rainfall, so check the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Lopburi updates before going.

Where is the biggest sunflower field in Lopburi?

The fields at the foot of Khao Chin Lae in Phatthana Nikhom district are the best known, about 30 to 40 km east of Lopburi town.

Are there still monkeys at the Lopburi monkey temple?

Yes. Monkeys still gather at Phra Prang Sam Yot, though Lopburi moved many of them into a municipal enclosure, so fewer roam the streets than in past years.

When is the Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival in 2026?

Sunday 29 November 2026. The festival takes place every year on the last Sunday of November around Phra Prang Sam Yot.

Is Lopburi worth a day trip from Bangkok

Yes, from mid-November to January. The sunflower fields and the Khmer temples make a full day, and the cool season keeps the heat manageable.

Can I take the train from Bangkok to Lopburi

Yes. Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat station reach Lopburi in about two hours. The sunflower fields sit 30 to 40 km from the station, so train travellers need a separate vehicle to reach them.

What should I wear to the Lopburi monkey temple

Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, closed shoes, and no loose jewellery or sunglasses that monkeys can grab.

Book a private van for your Lopburi sunflower trip

Sunflower season lasts a few weeks, and the best mornings in the fields start early. GoThai Transport picks you up in Bangkok before sunrise, drives the loop between the fields, the dam and the old town at your pace, and brings you back the same evening. Out-of-Bangkok day trips start from 3,000 THB per vehicle; see the GoThai Transport price page for current rates, then message the team with your date, group size and pickup point.