Lopburi Monkeys: Phra Prang Sam Yot, Festival and Safety

Lopburi is the Thai town where hundreds of long-tailed macaques wander through Khmer-era ruins, and the star ruin is Phra Prang Sam Yot, three connected towers beside the railway. The short answer: go early, keep your hands free and your face uncovered by loose accessories, pay the small entrance fee at the gate, and plan the visit around either the daily temple walk or the Monkey Banquet on the last Sunday of November. You can see monkeys without paying, but the ruin itself is worth the ticket.

We checked every number below on 2026-10-16. The Fine Arts Department's own pages for its big historical parks are easy to find, but we could not find an equivalent page for Phra Prang Sam Yot, so the fee and hours come from Thai travel sites and disagree. We show the conflict rather than pick a winner.

Verified facts, and what conflicts

The temple, in brief

According to Wikipedia, King Jayavarman VII built the temple in the early 13th century and it later switched from Mahayana to Theravada Buddhism under Ayutthaya, when a prayer hall was added during King Narai's reign (1656-1688). The three towers are brick with a stucco finish. The temple is on the Lopburi provincial seal and flag, and it is more famous today as the "Monkey Temple" than as a ruin. The monkeys are not allowed inside the temple itself, which is why the carvings survive better than you might expect.

What to see around it

You can see the ruin from the road and the monkeys on the street, so the paid part of the visit is the compound itself. A good short route:

1. Phra Prang Sam Yot. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
2. San Phra Kan. A small shrine across the railway line, central to the legend of the monkeys as followers of the spirit Jao Paw Phra Kan, per Wikipedia.
3. Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat. A large ruin directly opposite the railway station; A dayscape describes its central prang as 30.7 metres tall and gives 50 baht for foreigners.
4. Phra Narai Ratchaniwet. King Narai's palace compound, partly ruined brick and partly a national museum (fee and hours above).
5. Wichayen House. A ruined mansion built for foreign envoys and priests at Narai's court and later the home of the Greek adviser Constantine Phaulkon, per A dayscape.

The monkeys: what has changed

Wikipedia says the monkey population grew to about 3,000 by 2024, with macaques snatching bags and drinks and entering homes, and that a government sterilisation campaign began. The Bangkok Post reported on 11 June 2025 that trapping, neutering and relocating continues to reduce numbers in the town centre; the operation began in May 2024. A tour operator's 2026 review says the temple has noticeably fewer monkeys than before. That is anecdotal, so expect monkeys but fewer than the old photographs show.

The Monkey Banquet (Monkey Buffet Festival)

Wikipedia says the festival began in 1989 and is held annually, and that it honours the local belief that the monkeys are disciples of Jao Paw Phra Kan while also drawing tourists. Tables of fruit, vegetables and sweets are laid out around the temple for the monkeys. The event date follows the last Sunday of November (30 November 2025). One holiday site lists 29 November 2026, but we found no official announcement, so confirm with the Tourism Authority of Thailand Lopburi office. Expect big crowds and not much room at the temple.

Safety: how not to get bitten

On 30 December 2024 a Swedish tourist was bitten on the neck at Phra Prang Sam Yot and treated and vaccinated at hospital, according to Khaosod English and the Bangkok Post. The caretaker said the macaques here can be provoked by many things, including standing too close to the monkeys or their young, and that they are drawn to sunglasses, headbands, colourful bags and food. Police have also told visitors to feed monkeys only at designated places.

• Remove loose items. Take off glasses, hats and dangling accessories, and carry a plain bag zipped shut.
• Do not hold food or drinks in the open. Do not feed them off-site.
• Keep your distance from mothers and babies. Do not touch infants.
• Do not stare or show your teeth. Move away calmly if a monkey approaches.
• Follow the staff. They sometimes use sticks to move persistent monkeys.
• If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound well and go to a hospital for rabies advice. See Thailand safety, scams and health for emergency numbers.

Getting there

The booking box on this page opens the 12Go Bangkok to Lopburi route page, which lists train, van, bus and taxi operators (we opened it in a browser on 16 October 2026). It covers transport to Lopburi town only, not the monkey sites, the temples or any ticket for them. It is a partner link, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For wider planning use Thailand getting around and the Bangkok day trips page.

A half-day plan

1. Morning: Arrive by train. Walk to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, opposite the station.
2. Late morning: Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan, before the heat and crowds.
3. Lunch: Eat away from the temple, where monkeys cannot reach your table.
4. Afternoon: Phra Narai Ratchaniwet and Wichayen House, if open, then the train back.

When to go

The dry season, November to February, is cooler for walking, and the Monkey Banquet falls in that window. Hot months are hard on the open ruins. See Thailand best time by region and the temple etiquette guide.

Costs

See Thailand budget per day for a trip budget.

FAQ

Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.