People often ask a traveller “What’s the best place you have ever been to?” Although it is an impossible question to answer definitively, The Monkey Temple in Lopburi, Thailand, or the Prang Sam Yod to give it its specific name, was one of my standout moments during my 3-month trip through South East Asia.
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TL;DR post highlights
- Arrive – Train or bus – find times via 12Go Asia. Or take a private tour with Get Your Guide.
- See – the Monkey Temple Prang Sam Yot is open daily from 8:30am – 6:00pm, and admission is 50 baht per person.
- Stay – not in Lopburi, I recommend the nearby town of Ayutthaya. The Ayutthaya retreat and Baan Mee Suk Ayutthaya both offer great value
- Don’t – fight with the monkeys. They will win 🙂
Your Guide to Lopburi Monkey Temple
So let’s kick this off and get straight down to business. Later on, I have some more FAQs, but here are some simple tips to stay safe when visiting the Lopburi Monkey Temple:
Top tips for visiting the Monkey Temple
So why visit Lopburi?
Well, simply put, monkeys.
If you love the furry little mischief-makers then this is a place you simply must visit. It can be done easily in a day trip from Bangkok, or even better, as part of an overnight trip and combine with a visit to the majestic city of Ayutthaya, this is what I did.
The good news is, that even if you’re not a monkey fan, but your travelling partner is, then it is still a pretty safe place to visit as the monkeys normally leave you alone if you’re not in the small temple complex. We’ll get onto that a little later.
Getting to Lopburi and the Monkey Temple
Lopburi is about 2 hours north of Bangkok and can be reached by car, train or bus or you can also find day trips from Bangkok such as this one from Viator or this from Get Your Guide. It can be easily visited on a day trip out of the capital or make a great stop for those taking the slow route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
As mentioned just a second ago, I decided to take the train to Lopburi for the day, starting in Ayutthaya. There is a regular, direct and cheap train service between Bangkok and Ayutthaya, and then again the following day to Lopburi.
If you are tight on time, there are many travel agents that offer day trips from Bangkok to Lopburi, normally combined with a visit to Ayutthaya, but it is also easy to get to via public transport.
Getting a train to Lopburi from Bangkok
You can catch a train from Bangkok’s Hua Lampong station, with morning departures at 7, 8:30 and 10:50am. The trip takes a little over 2 hours and you probably need no more than 3 hours in Lopburi, and even that would include time for lunch.
Check the Bangkok to Ayutthaya or Lopburi train timetable on 12 Go Asia, a great travel resource. A third class fare to Lopburi from Bangkok is the cheapest option at just 50 Baht ($1.30). However, if you would like a little more comfort, a second class (complete with air-conditioning) is around 350 Baht ($9.09).
Taking the bus
There are also buses that run regularly from the Morchit, or Northern, bus terminal. These cost in the region of 100 baht ($2.50) and also take about 2 hours.
The added benefit of doing it under your own steam, as opposed to taking a tour, is that it will feel like more of an adventure and you’ll probably be able to miss the big groups, so the odds are the temple will be quiet.
Book a day tour
During my visit, I had the luxury of time meaning I could catch the train the day before meaning it was much easier to get to Lopburi from Ayutthaya. However, if you don’t have that (or just prefer a simple life) you can book a day tour from Bangkok to visit the Monkey Temple.
Day tour ideas from Bangkok
My visit to Lopburi
It was yet another hot and humid day with the few wispy clouds in the sky offering little protection from the sun. After a short and sweaty train ride from Ayutthaya, I arrived at Lopburi train station at about 11am. I had been looking forward to this stop for a few weeks, having heard about it while searching out the best places to see monkeys in Thailand.
As I left the station, a charming chap offered to take me to the temple in his pedal-powered tuk-tuk for just 10 baht. Given that I didn’t know what direction to head in, it sounded like an excellent plan. The driver (or is it rider when pedalling) was a relatively slender old man, and with me in tow, he seemed to struggle with the slight incline.
I ended up feeling somewhat guilty and offered to take over, but he was insistent. After about 20 minutes we arrived at the temple, turns out wasn’t a long way and would have absolutely been faster to walk.
The Prang Sam Yod Temple
As a temple, the Prang Sam Yod is small and handsome, but nothing extraordinary compared to others in the region. But to be honest, I wasn’t there for the classic Khmer architecture, I wanted monkeys, lots of them.
The temple is in the centre of grassy field enclosed in by a small metal fence. While it can easily be seen from the outside, to get up close and personal to the vast majority of our little furry cousins, I had to pay to enter the temple site.
Lopburi monkey temple tickets cost just 50 baht (£1), payable at small hut manned by a guard and his stick. It is also possible to buy some food to feed the monkeys, but I would suggest caution with this; you’ll understand why in a bit.
Am I being watched?
As soon as I walked in, I could sense eyes on me from every angle. It is times like these that remind me why I had that rabies shot before I left the UK.
Having done a bit of research before going myself (such as you may be doing now), I made sure to hide every bit of food I owned and zip everything up in my bag, meaning the monkeys weren’t overly interested in me.
It turned out to be a great research
Why you shouldn’t buy the food
Much to my amusement, the unfortunate lady arriving after me hadn’t read the same advice I did and she bought some food from the guard. I can only guess she thought that the cute little monkeys would sit on the floor, look up at her with wide eyes, arms out, pleading with her to hand over a bit of food.
No way. These guys are smart.
No sooner had she entered the temple area that one launched itself onto her back, she screamed as another climbed her leg and a third drew near. She started to go into full-blown panic mode and jerked around, trying to shake them off; it looked to me like she had just been tasered.
It wasn’t long before the other monkeys noticed the commotion and joined in the hunt.
I felt bad for her, kind of like I should help . . . but it was way too much fun just watching, and besides, what could I really do?
As the 4th monkey landed on her, the temple guard finally thought he should do something, having previously taken the same attitude as me, enjoying.
He ran over waving his big stick scaring the macaques away, they must know that sticks hurt, however, it wasn’t before the monkeys got away with all the food, along with a bottle of water and a packet of biscuits.
Double check everything is zipped up
Seeing the attack had made me somewhat apprehensive, I made sure that my bag was properly zipped up and sauntered off thankful I made the correct choice about not buying food!
It wasn’t until I knelt down to take a photo of an exceptionally handsome monkey that they decided to investigate me.
While checking that my aperture was set I felt an unexpected jolt on my back which coincided with an abrupt squeak from my friend. I knew right away I had a monkey on my back.
Luckily in the aforementioned research, it suggested that to remove monkeys, simply rotate at speed and the monkeys will fly off you in all directions.
It worked; monkey on . . . spin . . . monkey off.
It seemed after this initial breach I was now thought of as fair game. I am not sure if the others saw and assumed I was carrying something worth having but all of a sudden I had three monkeys bundling on me.
After a while, I learnt to accept it and enjoy the experience, especially the one that sat on my back and groomed me hunting for ticks.
Now while this would probably disgust many people, I remember as a kid watching countless documentaries about monkeys and watching them groom each other, always thinking, “That looks so nice”. And it was. I felt a genuine closeness to them, almost as if I was one of their crew.
In total, I spent about an hour in the monkey temple before heading off to wander around the town. It was then when I witnessed one of the most amusing events in my trip.
So do the monkeys have rabies and other FAQs
Are the monkeys in Lopburi dangerous?
Well, they are semi-wild animals, so as with any animal encounter, there is always an element of risk.
Is there a dress code for the Lopburi temple?
It’s not an active temple, so no. However, it is still a religious site so I’d recommend dressing with respect. Also, the more skin that is covered is less tasty flesh for the hungry rabid monkeys. But seriously, they aren’t hungry and rabid. Well, hungry possibly, especially at lunchtime.
Can I buy food to feed the monkeys in Lopburi?
Yes, but don’t, unless you really want to and if you do, stay close to the man with the stick.
I hate monkeys but my travelling partner really wants to go, will I be safe?
In my opinion, you will be fine The majority of the monkeys hang out at the temple, like teenagers in a shopping mall. As long as you stay outside the temple area, you will notice them, but they will more than likely leave you alone. However, you should still heed the warning about keeping your stuff zipped up, as we are about to find out.
How much is the entrance to the Lopburi monkey temple?
50 Baht for non-Thais and 10 Baht for native Thais or those holding a Thai work permit.
Can I get bitten?
Of course. But if you are sensible, the risk is minimal. The chances are if a monkey bites you, it feels threatened or stressed, it’s never going to look at you and just think you’re food. So, as long as you follow the tips above, you should be fine.
Most bites happen when someone tries to take a camera or phone back from a monkey or shakes around vigorously trying to get one off their arm. If you keep everything zipped up and use the aforementioned spin technique, you should be fine.
So, I’m reading this too late, I have been bitten . . . do they have rabies?
Probably not. The risk is absolutely minimal, however, if you do get bitten, then you make that call. There is a hospital nearby that will give you a rabies jab if you do ge bitten, just ask the guard, and it is then up to you to get the following 4 necessary injections throughout the course of a month to finish the treatment.
Have you been bitten by a monkey? Read this: NHS Rabies Advice
If you have a rabies vaccination before you travel, you will still need to seek treatment, it is just a lot less painful. I would always recommend the vaccination, as there are many animals that can carry the disease in South East Asia.
Just recently, the local officials have actually started to give the rabies vaccination to the monkeys in Lopburi. In the process, they have noted that they “have not found any serious communicable diseases among the monkeys” also that no rabies cases have been reported in Lop Buri.
Looking for more monkey action? Check out my tips for visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest
Where is the best place to stay when visiting the Lopburi Monkey Temple?
To be brutally honest, there isn’t much in Lopburi to keep you entertained for more than half a day. If you have time to include an overnight stop (or more) I’d recommend staying in the nearby city of Ayutthaya. The small city has a great night market, many ancient temples to explore and in a little under an hour away from Lopburi by train.
Find your place to stay
Here are a few recommendations for places to stay in Ayutthaya, or use the map below to find some other ideas.
Recommended hotels in Ayutthaya
- Luxury – One Dhatu Ayutthaya
- Midrange – Ayutthaya retreat
- Backpackers budget private room – Baan Mee Suk Ayutthaya
- Shared hostel dorm – 11:11 Hostel
- Book a whole house! – Cattani’s Riverside Home
That monkey stole my phone!
So back to my experience. As I made motions to leave and head back to the train station, I noticed a lady pulling up to the local bank on her moped with an interesting-looking plastic bag on her handlebars.
Within moments, a curious little bugger had ripped the bag open and grabbed what was inside.
The immense disappointment was clear on both sides as the poor lady had just lost her brand new mobile phone and the monkey; as much as he tried, couldn’t eat it.
Sensing the imminent danger from the bank security the monkey scarpered with his bounty, edible or not, straight to the top of a post.
The bank team were extremely helpful in trying to get the phone back. The tactic they used was tossing a small packet of rice at the monkey in the hope that he would catch the rice and drop the phone.
After a couple of throws, they were right in one sense; the monkey caught the rice, however, clever little monkey turned out to be ambidextrous and now he had a phone and a bag of rice.
The guards, seeming disappointed, had to play their trump card . . . a fine ripe mango.
Mango Vs. Rice Vs. Phone
The first mango toss got the monkeys attention but was off target. The following attempt was a big success; you could see the monkey making a calculation in his brain, rice vs. mango . . . versus calling his mum.
It was no contest, as he seized the mango out of mid-air he dropped the phone and the guard was able to catch it, aside from a couple of teeth marks; good as new and everyone was happy.
Between the lady losing a bag of food and the monkey stealing a phone it was rather an eventful trip and with that number of monkeys around I’m sure there will always be some shenanigans going on.
Time to go home for me
Having witnessed something that seemed straight out of a Carry on Movie (if you are not familiar with what I mean by that, check them out, 60s and 70s British humour at its finest . . . possibly), I was ready to head back to Ayutthaya.
It was a nice walk through Lopburi that took me back to the station, it passed by a couple more temples with fewer monkeys. Check out this DIY day trip for more information.
What else is there to do in Lopburi aside from the monkey temple?
I know I was a little dismissive before about the other things to do in Lopburi besides the monkey temple, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing. There are a number of other templates and sites to explore. Here are a few ideas if you have a little bit longer in town.
- King Narai’s Palace (Phra Narai Ratchaniwet): Built in the 17th century, this well-preserved palace was the residence of King Narai the Great. You can stroll through sprawling grounds and explore the various buildings, including reception halls, residential quarters, and temples. The palace also houses the Lopburi National Museum, where you can delve into the rich history of Lopburi and Thailand.
- Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat: This is one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist temples in Lopbur, with stunning architecture and a peaceful ambience. A nice spot to spend some quiet time, absorbing the spiritual atmosphere and admiring the intricate detailing on the temple structures.
- San Phra Kan: Not too far from Prang Sam Yot, you’ll find another monkey-inhabited shrine, San Phra Kan. The shrine is an important religious site with a history dating back to the Khmer period.
- Wichayen House (Ban Wichayen): This site was once the residence for foreign diplomats during the reign of King Narai. An interesting blend of Thai and European architectural styles, the Wichayen House offers a unique perspective into Thailand’s historical interactions with the outside world.
- Explore the Sunflower Fields: Plan your visit between November and January to witness Lopburi’s countryside transformed into a sea of yellow sunflowers. As one of the major sunflower-growing regions in Thailand, Lopburi’s sunflower fields are an enchanting sight that nature-lovers shouldn’t miss.
- Lopburi Zoo: If you’re travelling with kids, you may want to visit the Lopburi Zoo. It may not be the largest zoo, but it offers a diverse range of animals in a well-maintained environment. It’s an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
- Local Markets: Soak in the local culture by visiting Lopburi’s vibrant markets. Especially the night markets are a gastronomic delight. Try out various local delicacies, shop for unique souvenirs, and mingle with the locals. It’s an experience that will enrich your understanding of Thai life and culture.
- Khao Wong Phrachan: For those who crave a bit of adventure, Khao Wong Phrachan, the highest mountain in Lopburi, offers a challenging yet rewarding hiking experience. The trek to the top is steep, but the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape make it all worthwhile.
Lopburi Monkey Temple Buffet Festival
I can’t finish this piece without mentioning the Monkey Buffet Festival. While I wasn’t there for it, I would love to return to witness this occasion.
Once a year the residents of the town put on a celebration in honour of the monkeys and give them loads of food to say thank you for keeping their town prosperous.
The main reason I want to go is to watch them set it up and just see how they get it all that food into the temple without the monkeys ripping it away from them. I guess with very big sticks!
Watch the video:
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Thanks for sharing this quality information with us. I really enjoyed reading. Really Nice Post, Thanks for sharing & keep up the good work.
Very nice post, and photos too….You describe so well the places and how do you felt there. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Paul, happy you enjoyed the post 🙂
I would just LOVE it there. I visited Monkey Beach in Thailand, but this looks even cooler. You are right about the food, my friend didn’t want to listen and she got attacked by a dozen of wild monkeys over a bag with bananas. She threw the bag and started screaming and ran back to the boat. haha! I was lmao! You took the best pictures Matt!
MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!! I would cry with happiness here. I swear down now I nearly cried the first time i saw a baby orangutan in real life. This is one of my number one bucket list locations so now I know everything important. Thank you ??? though as I’ll be sure to keep my belongings away. Someone else can take pics with their phone ???
This is seriously one of my favorite posts because I love monkeys! They are very mischevious and its never good to feed them. We have a lot of monkeys in Flordia. Where I’m from a bunch of kids/family were taunting a group of monkeys and then they went crying and complaining on social media and the news about it. All of us natives were mad at them for messing with the monkeys because the state wanted to remove them from the park. Anyways, great post and I’m glad yall had fun.
Wow. So many monkeys ? so close… I’m
little confused whether to go or not. As I’m so scared of them. If I do gather the courage the next time I’m in Bangkok il set out for this adventure. Let’s see!
Monkey temple, This sounds so cool and interesting 🙂 Would love to go one day , Thanks for sharing!
I find monkeys cute, but I am also scared of them because they seem to be very mischievous. Haha ! But yes, your experience sounds like a mini-adventure 🙂
I like that “hide your food” technique and also that rice vs phone thing too!.
You sure had a great time!
Enjoy!!!
Great post! I think the temple is beautiful, but I would hesitate to visit because I am scared to be so close to monkeys! I have had bad experience with them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hahaha that’s hilarious about that poor lady..I would have laughed my bum off too! My son spends half a year in thailand and I remember the first time he encountered monkeys and he thought they were cute too until they showed their true colours!! Great blog!!
Sounds like a crazy and memorable time! I love the story with the phone, although I doubt the woman felt like it was enjoyable at the time!
I visited a monkey temple in Nepal and it was so memorable and interesting!
Great post!
Wow, you’re so lucky! I would LOVE to be able to be that close to monkeys! Now I’ll be begging my husband to take me here one day, haha! That is such a cool experience. I don’t know that I’d handle myself well if one jumped on me though… ha. 🙂
Loved this article. I really like monkeys but I was robbed once by them, they stole my purse! I would love to visit the monkey temple one day if I get the chance.
Thanks, I highly recommend it, but then I highly recommend anything involving monkeys!
What an adventure. I am sure I don’t want to be “investigated” by monkeys . hahaha. Good to see that the monkey business is over and you could your monkey off your back!
This was an enjoyable read indeed! Haha. These guys are smarter than we think! In a tiny town of vrindavan in India, they are exceptionally adept at stealing food ( making people squeak in fright), spectacles ( they promptly come and grab them out while you are wearing them) , hats ( their favourite!) and cameras( intriguing right!?). Most of the time the only way you can get your stuff back is barter ( not just ripe mangoes, a mango drink works too!)
Btw there is a monkey temple in Rajasthan too. Near jaipur 🙂
Haha, you’re right, they are super smart and sounds like you’ve had your fair share of interaction! I hope to visit India soon so thanks for the tip on the monkey temple, I can’t get enough of them! Happy travels!!
What pesky little things… They are just so unpredictable. But I can’t help enjoy your stories on them. It was fun reading them. Seems like you spend a lot of time observing them
Haha. I grew up in an area where we don’t have monkeys, except in zoos, so I am fascinated by them. I love watching and interacting with them, but I can see how this would change in different parts of the world! Thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed it.
Cool article. I would love to visit the monkey temple one day. However,I must be very wary with the monkeys as they will steal your items. Imagine this monkeys steal your wallet,phone or passport. It will be a difficult task to chase after them.
You’re right, keep everything locked away as once they have it, you’re unlikely to get it back. The lady that lost the phone was quite lucky I think. I highly recommend it as a place to visit for a few hours, well worth the trip. thanks for reading.