17th Century palace in Lopburi
King Narai’s Palace, officially named Phra Narai Ratchaniwet is the former palace of Ayutthaya King Narai. The ruins of the palace, locally known as Wang Narai are located in the old center of Lopburi.
King Narai the Great, King of Ayutthaya during the second half of the 17th century made Lopburi the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. He ordered a new palace built near the Lopburi river where he stayed most of the year. The palace was designed by French architects in a mix of Thai and European architectural styles. Construction started in 1665 and was completed 12 years later in 1677.
After King Narai’s death in 1688 the palace was abandoned. Nearly two centuries later King Mongkut ordered restoration of the palace and the construction of several new buildings. Nowadays, the palace buildings are in use as exhibition halls for the Lopburi museum.
The 17 acres palace grounds are enclosed by brick walls covered with plaster. In the walls are thousands...
Taling Chan Floating Market is a small market built on the banks of a local Klong (canal). It was founded in 1987 and has become a part of the local community.
In Thailand markets are part of the fabric of life, from morning fresh food markets to evening markets that seem to cover city blocks, shopping and food are necessities for Thai culture. One of the popular things to do is to take the family to a floating market to eat and shop from the locals.
Taling Chan Floating Market is just a short trip for people from Bangkok to escape the city and enjoy the market. About 30-45 minutes outside of downtown Bangkok it’s an easy trip to experience a great part of Thai culture.
In addition to food people can take boat tours on the canals and see more of the area. Worth a trip for anyone that has a half a day to spend making great memories.
Taling Chan Floating Market - Food, Shopping & Boat Tours - Bangkok Thailand 2025
Wat Chaiyaphrueksamala
Wat Chaiyaphrueksamala Ratchaworawihan วัดชัยพฤกษมาลาราชวรวิหาร known in short as Wat Chaiyaphrueksamala and Wat Chaiyaphruek is a second-class royal Buddhist temple in ratchaworawihan type. It is located beside Khlong Maha Sawat, around the mouth of the canal, where it converges with Khlong Bangkok Noi, northeast of Taling Chan District. Across Khlong Maha Sawat is an area of Tambon Wat Chalo, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province.
The temple was built during the Ayutthaya period. On founding the new city at Thonburi in 1767, some brick structures of the temple were disassembled and the brick removed for use in the construction of the new city wall.
During the reign of King Rama I (1782–1809), the Crown Prince Chim (later King Rama II) attempted to rebuild this abandoned temple, but the construction was not completed because of the war with Burma. The work was not undertaken again until 1851 when King Rama IV (1851–1868) ...
Wat Worapho (Wat Rakang วัดระฆัง)
Wat Wora Pho is located in the west of Cha Krai Ya (Klong Toh) canal. It is unknown when it was built or by who. Records indicate that Phra Si Sin who later become King Song Tham (1620-1628) was a high ranked monk at this temple. So the temple was built before the reign of King Song Tham.
Formerly. the temple was know as Wat Rakang or the temple of the bell. In the reign of King Borommakot (1732-1758) the name of the temple was changed as Wa Wora Pho. This because of a sacred banyon tree was sent to the king from Ceylon and it was planted at this temple.
The temple design is much different than what is normally seen in Ayutthaya. It’s also near many other sites and worth a short stop to see.
Wat Wara Pho (Wat Rakang วัดระฆัง) - Ayutthaya Historical Park - With Drone Footage - Thailand 2025
