This trip I invited you to follow the trail of the most popular Retro-Thai traditional drama “Or-Chao” from “Bupphe-Sanniwas”, that was hit on TV series during 2018. Went back through time to admire the city of Phra Narai, the former Lopburi province, and to extend historical knowledge, “The series had ended but the history learning continue”. Usually, whoever comes to travel here, will visit Phra Prang Sam Yot, which is considered to be the main landmark of Lopburi Province. But, in this review would focus more on the in-depth tour. Start the tour at the ancient royal palace in the reign of King Narai. After we parking the vehicle, bought admission tickets Then followed along with me.. (The photo in this review was taken on 18/04/2018)

Somdej Phra Narai National Museum : Opens Wednesday – Sunday from 09.00-16.00

Phra Narai Ratchaniwet Royal Palace Archaeological Site : Opens  Monday – Sunday from 09.00-16.30

Admission fee for Thai citizens is 30 baht and foreigners 150 baht. * Students in uniform, seniors of aged 60 years and over, novice, monks and priests in other religions are free of charges.

We recommend you to visit here in the morning, as the weather is nice, not too hot. We had a lot of fun taking pictures of the old buildings at King Narai Ratchaniwet Royal Palace first. The throne and various buildings were of an ancient palace in Ayutthaya city, which were important and valuable in architecture, showing the most prosperity period of Lopburi province. Let’s follow us to see along.

This zone is a group of buildings, called "Sib Song Thong Phra Klang" (12 of the royal Treasury halls), which is a warehouse to store items for official use.

This is the "City Reception Building", a place to welcome foreign ambassadors. (Under restoration)

Noted that the unique architecture of this era is the door and window style of lotus arches petal shaped.

"Phrachao Hao" mansion (there is a saying that the era of Phrachao Hao refers to the old things that are ancient, .. this is really genuine Phrachao Hao) is actually the Buddha hall of the Narai Ratchaniwet royal palace.

In the past, it would be very magnificent. Fortunately, the museum nowadays is still very well maintained these buildings for us, to touch a realistic picture of the greatness in history.

Thai-style patterned stucco above the facade European-style arched window looks harmoniously very beautiful.

A Royal Elephant sheds are similar to King’s garage. They are located in front of the palace's gate, with a total of 10 sheds. These sheds are home to royal elephants and royal forest journals for wild animal hunting.

The entrance to the middle zone of the royal hall (the middle gate). There are usually  tourists visiting on weekdays.

"Chantaraphisan Throne Hall", the former residence of the Government and the Privy Council meeting, Now is a museum exhibits in honor of King Narai the Great "The history of Thailand in the reign of King Narai the Great". It is very interesting. ... Let's followed us to visit inside.

"Chantaraphisan Throne Hall", the former residence of the Government and the Privy Council meeting, Now is a museum exhibits in honor of King Narai the Great "The history of Thailand in the reign of King Narai the Great". It is very interesting. ... Let's followed us to visit inside.

Image of the attendance to present Louis XIV's letter to King Narai the Great at the Grand Palace Ayutthaya.

Sculpture of Spring symbol or a flower goddess.

An ancient Dharma book chest collected by Somdej Krom Phraya Damrongrachanupab when he was the President of the Royal Society.

Old artifacts on display are well preserved.

“Dharmas Kosa Pan”, a large grille pattern Dharma Prayer seat made of carved wood looks like a supporting Krathong for the Bussabok House, is really beautiful.

We followed the history trail and arrived at "Phiman Mongkut Throne Hall". The hall is a 3-storey building with permanent exhibition portrays story about Lopburi Political Development from prehistory to the present.

As we walked inside, the air conditioner was so cool that dissipated the heat very well. Inside the 1st floor shows the history development sequence of Lopburi town, since the prehistoric period that was about 3500 years ago.

Continue until the early history, the Tawarawadee period, that was a beginning of a relationship with the Overseas Territories during the 12th-16th Buddhist Century.

Exhibits prehistoric artifacts found from various sites in Lopburi Province.

Statue of vishnu around the age of 12th -13th Buddhist Century found at Phra Kan Shrine, Lopburi .. People who have walked to take pictures in the Phra Kan shrine in the city of Lopburi, Probably remember that this statue had a long history as same as Phra Prang for sure.

Lion Head Stucco, around the age of 16^th -17th Buddhist Century, found at the stupa in front of the Lopburi Post Office (Lopburi people should be able to imagine where Lopburi P.O. is)

Prehistoric human skeletons unearthed at Tha Khae archaeological site in Lopburi City.

Different gestures of ancient clay figurines

The 2nd floor exhibits artifacts influenced by Khmer culture in Ayutthaya period until the Rattanakosin era.

A reclining-styled clay Buddha image, gilded lacquer in the late Ayutthaya period around 22^nd -23^rd  Buddhism Century is very beautiful and in perfect condition.

Various types of weapons such as sword, spear, shield, hook, gun, etc. It's real.

This room is a collection of Khmer art styled stone carving. That was discovered in old Lopburi, very beautiful, real and in perfect condition,

Let 's follow me to the 3rd floor. This room is an exhibition in honor of King Mongkut (RAMA IV), portrays about history, politics, society, culture and his royal biography.

The royal bed of King Mongkut.

An ancient green teak building at the front of the museum is now a museum office. “Let's leave here, and move on to another place nearby”.

We had enjoy going back to the past. The next place to visit is the Official house for envoy, “Baan Vichayen”. The place is close to here in the city, and you can let GPS navigate there.

Thai people buy a 10 baht entrance ticket and follow in. The "Baan Wichayen" is on Wichayen Road Located in the north of King Narai Ratchaniwet Royal Palace, about 200 meters from Thawasathan Prang Khaek. Open hours are from Wednesday - Sunday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

“Baan Vichayen” or the official house for envoy was built to welcome the first French ambassadors who entered Ayutthaya in 1785 during the reign of King Narai. It is also a house in Lop Buri of Thao Thong Kipma and Chao Phraya Wichayen or Luang Surasakorn (Constantine Falcon), Greek Civil Service Chancellor, one of King Narai's favorite Chancellor.

Constantine Falcon was his original name when he joined the service in the reign of King Narai. Later he was appointed as "Chao Phraya Wichayen", for many good official serves, and received a residence on the west side of the official house for envoy, which was the origin of the name "Baan Wichayen.  

The dining room has a basement room to keep the wine ... imagine that going back hundreds of years from now , how luxurious this place would be.

An important event that I wanted to tell everyone to book the calendar in advanced is during the mid of February of every year (Stay tuned for the update again). Lopburi province will organize an event, "The Land of King Narai the Great": villagers, shops, markets, they all dress in Thai clothes throughout the city. Everyone wear Thai dress in this event, to taste take photos and share in a retro atmosphere, it's one of the greatest event in Lopburi.

Leaving from Baan Wichayen, We had continued to "Hor Sophon Silp Museum".  To get there was not difficult to find by setting the GPS coordinates to Wat Choeng Tha, Tha Hin Sub-district, Muang District, Lopburi Province. 

Phra Kru Sophon Thammarat Luang Por Thom, Abbot of Choeng Tha Temple had built a museum to be a place for collecting and exhibiting valuable religious, art, history and archeology for those who are interested to study and gain knowledge; as well as educating visitors on Buddhism. The museum is open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for free admission .

Today I had had so much fun time travelling and taking pictures since the morning until evening. So tonight, I chose to stay at at accommodation a bit out of town. I would like to feel the fields, forests, mountains, horses, cows, buffaloes, ....... Finally, I chose "Wanlapa Farm Stay", to be my resting place for tonight. 

Wanlapa Farm, is not only being a horse farm, but also suitable for a farm-stay tourism. There is also a restaurant with a rice fields view atmosphere. Another highlight here is the Archa Therapy (Horse healing therapy), which allows children to practice meditation on horseback, that suitable for ADHD children and special children. Normal children can also have fun riding on a horse.

There are various activities to choose from, such as horse riding, riding in the E-Tan carts seeing the fields, making Din So Phong salted eggs, horse-drawn carriages to pay respect to the monks, demonstration of farming, collecting eggs from the farm, clay molding, etc.

There are various activities to choose from, such as horse riding, riding in the E-Tan carts seeing the fields, making Din So Phong salted eggs, horse-drawn carriages to pay respect to the monks, demonstration of farming, collecting eggs from the farm, clay molding, etc.