King Narai's Palace

Narai the Great ruled Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688 and spent much of each year at Lopburi, where he built a walled palace with the help of French and Italian engineers - the architecture mixes Thai and European forms, with pointed Gothic-influenced window openings unusual in Siamese building. His reign was the high point of Franco-Siamese relations: embassies went both ways, Louis XIV received Siamese ambassadors at Versailles, and the Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon rose to become Narai's chief minister. It ended badly. In 1688, with Narai dying in this palace, Phetracha seized power in a coup, Phaulkon was executed, the French garrison was expelled and Siam closed to the West for a century and a half. Narai died here during the coup. The grounds now hold ruins of the audience halls, reservoirs and elephant stables, with a national museum in a later Rama IV building.

What you actually see

• The palace ruins - audience halls, reservoirs and elephant stables in a walled compound.
• The European influence - Gothic-style window openings on Thai buildings.
• The 1688 revolution - where Narai died and Siam closed to the West.
• The museum - in a Rama IV-era building within the grounds.

When to go

November to February. Early or late - the grounds are largely unshaded. Two hours covers the ruins and the museum. Closed on some weekdays.

Honest expectations

Mostly foundations and shells rather than intact buildings. Little shade. The museum has limited English labelling. Lopburi's macaques range into parts of the town around it.

Nearby

Phra Prang Sam Yot is a short walk; Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat is by the station.