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Captain Sensible · 09-02-2006, 05:01 PM

Timeless Lopburi.

It is 14 years since I last journeyed to Lopburi and when I alighted from the train some lovely memories flooded my thinking. I had travelled to Lopburi with an English galfriend all that while ago and I was struck by how much nothing had changed in that time.
I walked around the town centre and photographed some monkeys swinging from the overhead lines before heading to the hotel that we had stayed in at back in '92. The Lopburi Asia Hotel.
Lopburi isnt for everyone though and you should be aware that unless you have some Thai language under your belt it might be a bit daunting as very little English is spoken here. That said, even the most white legged farang will be made to feel welcome here in Lopburi as it is a colourful, friendly, regional centre like so many in Thailand.

Lopburi was once the capital of Siam and is bespeckled with Khmer ruins throughout the city centre. As this thread continues, perhaps some of its history will come to light but at the time of writing this wee blog I really have little idea as to Lopburi's real history other than its heyday was around 1570 in falang years. Although I am aware that it was King Narai the Great who was the monarch who made Lopburi the capital.

Only two hours and 24 baht north of Don Muang on the train, Lopburi should be on the agenda of anyone touring Thailand. To my way of thinking it is a gentle immersion into Thailand proper as the falang here are so few and far between that we simply are not catered for. Well not like they are in Bangkok or Pattaya anyway.

I believe that Lopburi's significance is tied in with the silk industry but again, I want to do some more research on this. I did see a few shops specializing in silk garments and I also spied a number of gals wearing silk smock type outfits. If anyone has any knowledge of this please feel free to comment.

Shortly, I shall shower, put on my kissing gear and venture out to capture the Lopburi nightlife but I have got this funny feeling that I will be back in room 410 at The Asia Hotel watching Thai movies with Chinese subtitles before 10pm

aging one · 09-02-2006, 07:37 PM

You have a TV in that room? The same non air room as before?

Torbek · 10-02-2006, 07:01 AM

Didn't know you were coming up my way.

We could have caught up and I could have shown you the Lopburi nightlife...although it did close early a couple of nights last week!

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torbek

Didn't know you were coming up my way.

We could have caught up and I could have shown you the Lopburi nightlife...although it did close early a couple of nights last week!

Damn! I hadnt realized that you were in Loppers Torbek. Now that is a shame. Never mind. I will catch up with you in March in Bangers.

Ken May · 10-02-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torbek

Didn't know you were coming up my way.

We could have caught up and I could have shown you the Lopburi nightlife...although it did close early a couple of nights last week!

Torbek, I didn't know that you were living in the monkey city. I am practically at your doorstep in Ayutthaya. I heard a rumour that there were three of you English teachers in Lopburi now. In 2002 there was no one there. Its about time that had a few English teachers, the locals knew very little of it in the past.

I enjoy the khmer ruins and the river in that area. I can't remember any nightlife. Basically, I just bought a few large beer changs and hung out with the monkeys. Those monkeys are total bastards, but then again, so are some of my friends.

I even stayed in that same room in the pix. If I remeber right, there weren't any tuk-tuks in Lopburi. Transportation was a pain in the ass, but everything was in walking distance anyway.

Torbek · 11-02-2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken May

I heard a rumour that there were three of you English teachers in Lopburi now. In 2002 there was no one there.

Perhaps pushing 20 foreign teachers here now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken May

Its about time that had a few English teachers, the locals knew very little of it in the past.

They still don't...so the increase in teachers hasn't followed through...yet...perhaps...ever...

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:17 PM

Here is a pic of a Holden complete with monkey. I took this in the old town centre. The bloody monkeys are all over the gaff. Yesterday morning I woke up and found a monkey clinging to the bars outside my window. Nice chap actually. Name of Pedro, or so he said.

MeMock · 10-02-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Sensible

Here is a pic of a Holden complete with monkey. I took this in the old town centre. The bloody monkeys are all over the gaff. Yesterday morning I woke up and found a monkey clinging to the bars outside my window. Nice chap actually. Name of Pedro, or so he said.

Great pic CS. It always amazes me where holdens end up in thailand.

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:19 PM

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:22 PM

dirtydog · 10-02-2006, 03:24 PM

How comes they let the monkeys live in the town center?

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydog

How comes they let the monkeys live in the town center?

Not sure mate but the are certainly looked after. There are statues of monkeys all over the town as well. There are literally thousands of them there. Its worth the journey just to see the monkeys roaming all over the place. That said, I should point out that there are none in the town centre proper. This is the old town centre.

poolcleaner · 10-02-2006, 03:33 PM

Do the females sit side saddle when they take a motocy?

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poolcleaner

Do the females sit side saddle when they take a motocy?

*sigh* Yes Pooly, the gals sit sidee ways when they tae a motorsai.

poolcleaner · 10-02-2006, 03:37 PM

I meant the female monkeys!!

marklatham · 18-02-2006, 05:31 PM

A monkey sitting on top of an HT kingswood in lop buri.
Here in australia they used to sit inside them.

poolcleaner · 18-02-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marklatham

A monkey sitting on top of an HT kingswood in lop buri.
Here in australia they used to sit inside them.

You rac*st bastard!!

What would 'Our Kathy' have to say about that!!!!!

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:25 PM

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:32 PM

The old town is where you will find the ancient walled temple complex where King Narai the Great lived. I would guess at being on about 30 rai with fabulous gardens and loads of Khmer ruins.

_

Captain Sensible · 10-02-2006, 03:34 PM

09-02-2006, 05:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	Timeless Lopburi. Timeless Lopburi. It is 14 years since I last journeyed to Lopburi and when I alighted from the train some lovely memories flooded my thinking. I had travelled to Lopburi with an English galfriend all that while ago and I was struck by how much nothing had changed in that time. I walked around the town centre and photographed some monkeys swinging from the overhead lines before heading to the hotel that we had stayed in at back in '92. The Lopburi Asia Hotel. Lopburi isnt for everyone though and you should be aware that unless you have some Thai language under your belt it might be a bit daunting as very little English is spoken here. That said, even the most white legged farang will be made to feel welcome here in Lopburi as it is a colourful, friendly, regional centre like so many in Thailand. Lopburi was once the capital of Siam and is bespeckled with Khmer ruins throughout the city centre. As this thread continues, perhaps some of its history will come to light but at the time of writing this wee blog I really have little idea as to Lopburi's real history other than its heyday was around 1570 in falang years. Although I am aware that it was King Narai the Great who was the monarch who made Lopburi the capital. Only two hours and 24 baht north of Don Muang on the train, Lopburi should be on the agenda of anyone touring Thailand. To my way of thinking it is a gentle immersion into Thailand proper as the falang here are so few and far between that we simply are not catered for. Well not like they are in Bangkok or Pattaya anyway. I believe that Lopburi's significance is tied in with the silk industry but again, I want to do some more research on this. I did see a few shops specializing in silk garments and I also spied a number of gals wearing silk smock type outfits. If anyone has any knowledge of this please feel free to comment. Shortly, I shall shower, put on my kissing gear and venture out to capture the Lopburi nightlife but I have got this funny feeling that I will be back in room 410 at The Asia Hotel watching Thai movies with Chinese subtitles before 10pm __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-02-2006, 03:25 PM	#18 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	_ _

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09-02-2006, 07:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
aging one Elite Member Last Online: Yesterday 05:51 PM Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,343	You have a TV in that room? The same non air room as before?

10-02-2006, 07:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Torbek Thailand Expat Last Online: 18-11-2009 06:52 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,188	Didn't know you were coming up my way. We could have caught up and I could have shown you the Lopburi nightlife...although it did close early a couple of nights last week!

10-02-2006, 03:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	Here is a pic of a Holden complete with monkey. I took this in the old town centre. The bloody monkeys are all over the gaff. Yesterday morning I woke up and found a monkey clinging to the bars outside my window. Nice chap actually. Name of Pedro, or so he said.

10-02-2006, 03:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	_

10-02-2006, 03:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	_

10-02-2006, 03:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
dirtydog The Dog Last Online: Today 04:10 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pattaya Jomtien Posts: 42,363	How comes they let the monkeys live in the town center?

10-02-2006, 03:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
poolcleaner Aspiring Guru Last Online: 27-07-2006 10:21 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pratunam Posts: 4,576	Do the females sit side saddle when they take a motocy?

10-02-2006, 03:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
poolcleaner Aspiring Guru Last Online: 27-07-2006 10:21 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pratunam Posts: 4,576	I meant the female monkeys!!

18-02-2006, 05:31 PM	#16 (permalink)
marklatham Udon Thani Last Online: 11-11-2006 02:29 PM Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 142	A monkey sitting on top of an HT kingswood in lop buri. Here in australia they used to sit inside them.

10-02-2006, 03:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	The old town is where you will find the ancient walled temple complex where King Narai the Great lived. I would guess at being on about 30 rai with fabulous gardens and loads of Khmer ruins. _

10-02-2006, 03:34 PM	#20 (permalink)
Captain Sensible Elite Member Last Online: 20-09-2006 10:55 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,067	_

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