Lopburi (Thai: ลพบุรี, RTGS: Lop Buri, pronounced [lóp bū.rīː]) is the capital city of Lopburi Province in Thailand. It is about 150 kilometres (93 mi) northeast of Bangkok. It has a population of 58,000. The town (thesaban mueang) covers the whole tambon Tha Hin and parts of Thale Chup Son of Mueang Lopburi District, a total area of 6.85 km2.
Lopburi
ลพบุรี Lavo | |
|---|---|
 San Phra Kan shrine, downtown Lopburi | |
| Nickname: Monkey City | |
  Lopburi Location in Thailand | |
| Coordinates: 14°48′0″N 100°37′37″E / 14.80000°N 100.62694°E | |
| Country | Thailand |
| Province | Lopburi Province |
| District | Amphoe Mueang Lopburi |
| Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 58,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
History
editThe city has a history dating back to the Dvaravati period more than 1,000 years ago.[1]: 302, 308 According to the Northern Chronicles, Lavo was founded by Phraya Kalavarnadishraj, who came from Takkasila (Modern Day Tak, Thailand) in 648 CE.[2][3] According to Thai records, Phraya Kakabatr from Takkasila (it is assumed that the city was Tak or Nakhon Chai Si)[4][5]: 29 [6] set the new era, Chula Sakarat in 638 CE, which was the era used by the Siamese and the Burmese until the 19th century. His son, Phraya Kalavarnadishraj founded the city a decade later. Lopburi, or Lavapura as it then was, was under the rule of the rising Angkor regime and became one of the most important centers in the Chao Phraya Basin from then on.[7] Epigraphic evidence indicates that the dominant population of the city was Mon.[8]
The earliest confirmed occurrence of the name Lavapura is on silver coins inscribed "lava" on the obverse and "pura" on the reverse in a Pallava-derived script of the seventh or eighth century; several such coins were recovered in 1966 from a hoard found in an ancient jar in U Thong.[9][10]
Inscriptions say that Lopburi was incorporated into the administration structure of the Khmer Empire during the reign of Suryavarman I.[11] Control of Lopburi gave the Khmer Empire access to trade going through the Kra Isthmus. There is some evidence the Khmer Empire, under Suryavarman II, fought against the Mons in the 12th century over suzerainty. Lopburi sent embassies to China in 1115 and 1155.[12]: 161
Lopburi (Lavo) is described in Book III of Marco Polo's Travels, where it is called Locach. This came from the Chinese (Cantonese) pronunciation of Lavo, "Lo-huk".[13] The city is referred to as "Lo-ho" in chapter 20 of the History of Yuan (元史 : Yuán Shǐ), the official history of the Mongol, or Yuan Dynasty of China. Due to a scribal error in Book III of Marco Polo's travels treating of the route southward from Champa, where the name Java was substituted for Champa as the point of departure, Java Minor was 1,300 miles to the south of Java Major, instead of from Champa, on or near an extension of the Terra Australis.[14] As explained by Sir Henry Yule, the editor of an English edition of Marco Polo's Travels: "Some geographers of the 16th century, following the old editions which carried the travellers south-east of Java to the land of Boeach (or Locac), introduced in their maps a continent in that situation".[15]
After the foundation of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 14th century, Lopburi was a stronghold of Ayutthaya's rulers. It became the capital of the kingdom during the reign of King Narai the Great in the mid-17th century and the king resided there about eight months a year.
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Water buffalo, Lopburi, 2300 BCE -
Ceramic, Lopburi, 2300 BCE
Archeological finds
edit- several flaked stone tools were discovered in Ban Mi district dated back to the Paleolithic Age in 1931.[16]
- a number of tools, human burial sites and bronze accessories belong to Iron Age were found in Lop Buri river Basin in 1964.[16]
- Bracelets and beads dated back 2700–3500 years were revealed at Ban Khok Charoen in 1966–1970.[16]
- Prehistoric human skeletons and clay jugs were found in Ban Tha Kae in 1979.[16]
- A Copper source was discovered in Khao Wong Phrachan in 1986–1994.[16]
Geography
editLopburi lies on the Lopburi River at an elevation of 20 metres (66 ft) mostly surrounded by alluvial plains, although some hills rise to between 300 metres (980 ft) and 600 metres (2,000 ft) to the north-east.
Climate
editLopburi has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April, which is very hot with the average daily maximum at 36.8 °C (98.2 °F). The monsoon season runs from late April through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.
| Climate data for Lop Buri (1991–2020, extremes 1951-present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 38.4 (101.1) |
38.6 (101.5) |
40.6 (105.1) |
41.8 (107.2) |
41.5 (106.7) |
39.5 (103.1) |
38.3 (100.9) |
37.7 (99.9) |
36.2 (97.2) |
35.6 (96.1) |
35.8 (96.4) |
36.2 (97.2) |
41.8 (107.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.8 (91.0) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.9 (96.6) |
36.7 (98.1) |
35.7 (96.3) |
34.6 (94.3) |
33.9 (93.0) |
33.5 (92.3) |
33.0 (91.4) |
32.9 (91.2) |
32.8 (91.0) |
32.1 (89.8) |
34.0 (93.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.7 (80.1) |
28.2 (82.8) |
29.7 (85.5) |
30.5 (86.9) |
30.0 (86.0) |
29.3 (84.7) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.5 (83.3) |
28.2 (82.8) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.6 (81.7) |
26.4 (79.5) |
28.5 (83.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.7 (71.1) |
23.3 (73.9) |
25.1 (77.2) |
26.0 (78.8) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.2 (77.4) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.7 (76.5) |
23.3 (73.9) |
21.5 (70.7) |
24.4 (75.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 8.4 (47.1) |
13.5 (56.3) |
16.4 (61.5) |
19.7 (67.5) |
17.9 (64.2) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.5 (70.7) |
21.5 (70.7) |
20.5 (68.9) |
17.0 (62.6) |
10.5 (50.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
8.4 (47.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 9.7 (0.38) |
8.7 (0.34) |
36.9 (1.45) |
79.2 (3.12) |
133.3 (5.25) |
113.8 (4.48) |
122.2 (4.81) |
151.5 (5.96) |
266.8 (10.50) |
135.8 (5.35) |
30.1 (1.19) |
7.8 (0.31) |
1,095.8 (43.14) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 4.4 | 9.7 | 9.3 | 10.7 | 12.4 | 14.4 | 9.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 77.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 63.2 | 64.6 | 67.4 | 68.8 | 73.4 | 75.8 | 76.7 | 78.6 | 81.4 | 76.9 | 66.6 | 60.6 | 71.2 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | 18.5 (65.3) |
20.1 (68.2) |
22.3 (72.1) |
23.6 (74.5) |
24.2 (75.6) |
24.2 (75.6) |
24.0 (75.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
24.5 (76.1) |
23.3 (73.9) |
20.4 (68.7) |
17.7 (63.9) |
22.2 (72.0) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 263.5 | 245.8 | 238.7 | 240.0 | 155.0 | 114.0 | 117.8 | 117.8 | 108.0 | 182.9 | 219.0 | 260.4 | 2,262.9 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 8.5 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 5.9 | 7.3 | 8.4 | 6.2 |
| Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[17] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department (sun 1981–2010)[18](extremes)[19] | |||||||||||||
Transportation
editThe main road through Lobpuri is Route 1 (Phahonyothin Road), which starts in Bangkok, and continues through Lopburi, Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, Chiang Rai, and the border with Burma at Mae Sai. Route 311 leads west to Sing Buri, and Route 3196 leads south-west to Ang Thong.
Lopburi is a station of the State Railway of Thailand's Northern Line, forming the end of Bangkok's suburban service. Train service from Bangkok railway station (Hua Lamphong) in Bangkok usually takes about 2 hours. The third class train costs less than $1 and is a great way to experience the local culture and the "Real Thailand".
Lopburi had a short-lived tramway system, operating between 1955-1962. It was the only provincial tramway system outside Bangkok.
The Khok Kathiam Air Force Base is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northeast of the town.
Monkey population
editToday, the city is best known for the thousands of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that live in the city, especially around the Khmer temple, Prang Sam Yot and a Khmer shrine, Sarn Phra Karn. It is suspected that urban expansion caused the monkeys to adapt to city life. They are fed by the local people, especially during the annual Monkey Festival. This festival usually occurs on the last Sunday of November. The monkeys can be aggressive, are not afraid of humans, and often steal whatever items or food they can find from unwary visitors. Most of the hotels and guesthouses in Lopburi are "monkey-proofed" using screen wire or sealed windows.
In the city, signs are posted reading:
To prevent monkeys attacking people, the officer will feed monkeys in 3 designated areas outside San Phrakan twice a day, at 10am and 4pm. Those who want to feed monkeys other than these times, please contact the officer or caretaker
During the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic, lack of tourists prompted hungry monkeys to harass local residents.[20][21] To address the problem, the government implemented a mass roundup and sterilization program. Within five months, 1,600 of the estimated 3,000 monkeys had been captured for neutering.[22]
Notable personalities
edit- Jessica Amornkuldilok, first winner of Asia's Next Top Model
References
edit- ^ Higham, C., 2014, Early Mainland south-east Asia, Bangkok: River Books Co., Ltd., ISBN 9786167339443
- ^ พระราชพงศาวดารเหนือ (in Thai), โรงพิมพ์ไทยเขษม, 1958, retrieved March 1, 2021
- ^ Adhir Chakravarti, "International Trade and Towns of Ancient Siam", Our Heritage: Bulletin of the Department of Post-graduate Training and Research, Sanskrit College, Calcutta, vol.XXIX, part I, January–June 1981, pp. 1-23, nb p. 15; also in The South East Asian Review (Gaya, India), vol. 20, nos.1 & 2, 1995.
- ^ Huan Phinthuphan (1969), ลพบุรีที่น่ารู้ (PDF) (in Thai), p. 5, retrieved March 1, 2021
- ^ Saritpong Khunsong (2010), พัฒนาการทางวัฒนธรรมของเมืองนครปฐมโบราณในช่วงก่อนพุทธศตวรรษที่ 19 (PDF) (in Thai), retrieved March 1, 2021
- ^ กําแพงเพชร เมืองก่อนประวัติศาสตร์ (PDF) (in Thai), February 28, 2021, retrieved March 1, 2021
- ^ Dhida Saraya, "Lavo — A Coastal State of the 11th Century", Muang Boran, vol.11, no.2, 1985, pp.35-51.
- ^ Peter Skilling, "Dvaravati: Recent Revelations and Research", in Dedications to Her Royal Highness Princes Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra on her 80th birthday, Bangkok, The Siam Society, 2003, pages 87–112, p.105; Pan Hla Nai, The Significant Role of the Mon Language and Culture in south-east Asia, Tokyo, Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, 1992; Pierre Dupont, The Archaeology of the Mons of Dvāravatī, translated by Joyanto K.Sen, Bangkok, White Lotus Press, 2006, pp.1, 3, 10.
- ^ Boeles, J.J. "A Note on the Ancient City Called Lavapura" (PDF). Siamese Heritage. Siamese Heritage Trust.
- ^ Robert S. Wicks, Money, Markets, and Trade in Early south-east Asia: The Development of Indigenous Monetary Systems to AD 1400, SEAP Publications, 1992, pp.165-166.7-8th century Lavapura coin
- ^ Hall, Kenneth R. “Khmer Commercial Development and Foreign Contacts under Sūryavarman I.” Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, vol. 18, no. 3, 1975, pp. 318–336. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3632140. Accessed 3 June 2020.
- ^ Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella (ed.). The Indianized States of south-east Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
- ^ Paul Pelliot, Notes on Marco Polo, Paris, Imprimerie Nationale, 1963, Vol.II, pp.768-9, note 2.
- ^ Paul Pelliot, Notes on Marco Polo, Paris, Imprimerie Nationale, 1963, Vol.II, p.769; James R. McClymont, "The Theory of an Antipodal Southern Continent during the Sixteenth Century", Report of the Fourth Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, Hobart, January 1892, Hobart, the Association, 1893, pp.442-462.
- ^ Yule, Sir Henry, ed. (1921). The Book of Ser Marco Polo. London: Murray. pp. 276–280.
- ^ a b c d e "Past lives". bangkokpost.com. Bangkok Post.
- ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "ปริมาณการใช้น้ำของพืชอ้างอิงโดยวิธีของ Penman Monteith (Reference Crop Evapotranspiration by Penman Monteith)" (PDF) (in Thai). Office of Water Management and Hydrology, Royal Irrigation Department. p. 75. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Climatological Data for the Period 1981–2010". Thai Meteorological Department. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Macaque attack: humans try to take back Thai city from monkeys". France 24. June 24, 2020.
- ^ "This is bananas! Monkey gangs return to terrorize Thailand streets". New York Post. 2021-07-31. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26.
- ^ Thirasupa, Chalinee; Pookasook, Artorn (November 13, 2024). "No more monkey mania in Thai town after clamp down". Reuters. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
External links
edit
Lopburi travel guide from Wikivoyage
