LOPBURI PROVINCE

'Lop Buri' () is one of the central provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Nakhon Sawan.

Contents

Geography

History

Symbols

Administrative divisions

External links

Geography

Lop Buri is located on the east side of the Chao Phraya river valley, between the Lopburi River and Pa Sak Rivers. 30% of the area of the province, including most of Tha Wung district, the southwestern parts of Mueang Lopburi and Ban Mi districts are a very low alluvial plain. The rest 70% is intermixed between plains and hills, with the Phetchabun Mountains form the eastern boundary of the province towards the Khorat Plateau.

History

Known as Lavo during most of its history, Lopburi probably dates back to prehistoric times. During the Dvaravati period (6th to 11th century) it was called Lavo. The Khmer and built many impressive temples. Lopburi might have liberated itself from the Khmer rulership at least temporarily, as it sent independent embassies to China twice in 1115 and 1155. In 1289 it sent an embassy again, but then soon became associated with the Thai kingdom Sukhothai and later Ayutthaya.
In Ayutthaya period, King Ramathibodi I sent Phra Ramesuan (later King Ramesuan) who positioned Uparaja to reign Lopburi. In 1665 King Narai the Great ordered to build the new palace on the east bank of the Lopburi River and made Lop Buri the second capital of the country in middle of the 17th century as Ayutthaya was threatened by the Dutch. After the king reign, the city was nearly empty and less important.
The city was enriched again when King Mongkut of Rattanakosin renovated the King Narai Palace in 1856. And in 1938 Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram started his plan to relandscape and set Lop Buri as the biggest military base of Thailand.

Symbols

Seal of the province

The provincial seal shows Vishnu in front of the Khmer temple Phra Prang Sam Yod.The provincial tree as well as the provincial flower is the Bullet Wood (''Mimusops elengi'').

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided into 11 districts (''Amphoe''). The districts are further subdivided into 124 subdistricts (''tambon'') and 1110 villages (''muban'').

#Mueang Lop Buri#Phatthana Nikhom#Khok Samrong#Chai Badan#Tha Wung#Ban Mi

Tha Luang Sa Bot Khok Charoen Lam Sonthi Nong Muang

External links

★ Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand

★ Website of province (Thai)

★ Lopburi provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp