Lopburi

[BigHewer]

Lopburi is not my cup of tea. Spread out, transport sucks, monkeys everywhere. 

Not walkable at all, if you’re passing through, base yourself around the train station for the ruins, spend an hour or two and get out of there fast.

[Polkadot]

Thanks for tip. What about Ayuthaya?

I like Khon Kaen , Udon and Nong Khai.

[BigHewer]

  On 2/17/2025 at 6:42 AM, Polkadot said:

Thanks for tip. What about Ayuthaya?

I like Khon Kaen , Udon and Nong Khai.

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Ayutthaya is okay. I like those three too.

[Polkadot]

I like trying new towns and new suburbs in large ones. 

[BigHewer]

  On 2/17/2025 at 1:22 PM, Polkadot said:

I like trying new towns and new suburbs in large ones. 

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Same here. Can experience a lot more by trying out new places.

[BlueSphinx]

  On 2/17/2025 at 6:34 AM, BigHewer said:

Lopburi is not my cup of tea. Spread out, transport sucks, monkeys everywhere. 

Not walkable at all, if you’re passing through, base yourself around the train station for the ruins, spend an hour or two and get out of there fast.

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Fully agree with your view on Lopburi,  If the town is on your route elsewhere, it's worth a 2-3 hour visit for the ruins and the sight of monkeys everywhere.  Seeing them use the telephone cables as elevated highways is quite amusing, but their sheer population has clearly gotten out of hand. 

[BlueSphinx]

  On 2/17/2025 at 6:42 AM, Polkadot said:

Thanks for tip. What about Ayuthaya?

I like Khon Kaen , Udon and Nong Khai.

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Ayuthaya is definitely worth a visit. 

A 1-day visit is well doable from Bangkok, and best way to do so is by asking your Bangkok Hotel for a cab-driver that knows Ayuthaya and its sights, and having previously made a list of the temples you'd like to visit (for inspiration you can check out the itinerary of 1-day Tours to Ayuthaya). 

And if you are somewhat of a temple buff, you could consider staying overnight, and make it a 2-day visit.

[BigHewer]

  On 2/17/2025 at 11:54 PM, BlueSphinx said:

Seeing them use the telephone cables as elevated highways is quite amusing, but their sheer population has clearly gotten out of hand.

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They’re amusing in spells for sure, but they leave a mess and cause havoc. 

One of them stole my son’s macha shake, drank it and then did a big turd in the middle of the sidewalk on Wichayen Rd.

[Ikariotiko]

  On 2/17/2025 at 6:34 AM, BigHewer said:

Lopburi is not my cup of tea. Spread out, transport sucks, monkeys everywhere. 

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The authorities have been trying ineffectually to do something about the monkey problem for years, but do not have the albodingas to invoke the only real solution, which is a mass cull.

As an alternative, Chantaburi is quite pleasant. There is a fine Old Town down by the river, and a magnificent cathedral, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and you're not far from beaches and mountains.

[Polkadot]

  On 2/18/2025 at 12:01 AM, BlueSphinx said:

Ayuthaya is definitely worth a visit. 

A 1-day visit is well doable from Bangkok, and best way to do so is by asking your Bangkok Hotel for a cab-driver that knows Ayuthaya and its sights, and having previously made a list of the temples you'd like to visit (for inspiration you can check out the itinerary of 1-day Tours to Ayuthaya). 

And if you are somewhat of a temple buff, you could consider staying overnight, and make it a 2-day visit.

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I prefer to self explore local stuff. 

[BigHewer]

  On 2/18/2025 at 1:19 AM, Ikariotiko said:

As an alternative, Chantaburi is quite pleasant. There is a fine Old Town down by the river, and a magnificent cathedral, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and you're not far from beaches and mountains.

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Chanthaburi is what Lopburi isn’t in terms of walkability and finding neat little points of interest. Great town.

I like Chao Lao as a beach area too, great value hotel-wise and plenty going on. The drawback is the dogs… Not to harp on annoying animals, but Chao Lao Beach Rd has the worst soi dogs in the country IMO, a no go zone on foot late at night. Theparak Rd in Khon Kaen a close second.

[BigHewer]

  On 2/18/2025 at 12:01 AM, BlueSphinx said:

Ayuthaya is definitely worth a visit. 

A 1-day visit is well doable from Bangkok, and best way to do so is by asking your Bangkok Hotel for a cab-driver that knows Ayuthaya and its sights, and having previously made a list of the temples you'd like to visit (for inspiration you can check out the itinerary of 1-day Tours to Ayuthaya). 

And if you are somewhat of a temple buff, you could consider staying overnight, and make it a 2-day visit.

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Definitely agree and still not overrun by tourism despite its reputation. 

The temples in the historical park all lit up at night are incredible. 

[AussieBob]

Interesting discussions - we once passed through many years ago and aside from a couple of Wats it was not worth the visit - especially the monkeys. I said back then (9 years ago?) that they better do something soon or they will take over. But just like Thais do - they did not address the issue and it has become much worse. Same thing is happening about Soi Dogs and same for Pigeons.  As I said in another post, unless it affects the powerful wealthy elite in Thailand, nothing will be done about it - unless there is money to be made from it. 

[Ikariotiko]

  On 2/18/2025 at 11:25 PM, BigHewer said:

Not to harp on annoying animals, but Chao Lao Beach Rd has the worst soi dogs in the country IMO, a no go zone on foot late at night.

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I got bitten last year in Chao Lao at 4.30pm!

[BigHewer]

  On 2/19/2025 at 4:54 AM, Ikariotiko said:

I got bitten last year in Chao Lao at 4.30pm!

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Obviously not only a problem late at night

[Khunmark]

And in a role reversal, it wasn’t the humans that were the invasive species….

[Polkadot]

  On 2/18/2025 at 11:25 PM, BigHewer said:

Chanthaburi is what Lopburi isn’t in terms of walkability and finding neat little points of interest. Great town.

I like Chao Lao as a beach area too, great value hotel-wise and plenty going on. The drawback is the dogs… Not to harp on annoying animals, but Chao Lao Beach Rd has the worst soi dogs in the country IMO, a no go zone on foot late at night. Theparak Rd in Khon Kaen a close second.

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Good tips.

[Polkadot]

  On 2/18/2025 at 11:28 PM, BigHewer said:

Definitely agree and still not overrun by tourism despite its reputation. 

The temples in the historical park all lit up at night are incredible. 

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Sukhothai is nice too.