About Phra Prang Sam Yot
Phra Prang Sam Yot is a 13th-century Khmer temple in central Lopburi town, Tha Hin Subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi District. Known for its three interconnected laterite and sandstone prangs linked by corridors, it exemplifies Bayon-style architecture from the reign of Jayavarman VII. Originally a Hindu shrine later used as a Mahayana Buddhist temple and restored in the 17th century, it is Lopburi's most iconic landmark and famous for the large population of macaques inhabiting the site.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact archaeological compound in the heart of Lopburi town featuring three tall, corncob-shaped prangs connected by corridors, built of laterite decorated with sandstone stucco. The site is open-air with limited shade, surrounded by roads and town buildings. Inside and around the prangs are stucco carvings and Buddha images from later periods. A large troop of crab-eating macaques lives on and around the ruins, and visitors can walk around the exterior and enter accessible parts of the shrine.
Key highlights
- 01
Three interconnected Khmer prangs symbolizing the Hindu Trimurti and later Buddhist use
- 02
Classic Bayon-style architecture from the reign of Jayavarman VII
- 03
Intricate stucco decoration and later Ayutthaya-period Buddha images
- 04
Iconic resident crab-eating macaques that inhabit the temple grounds
- 05
Central location in Lopburi old town near other historic sites
History of Phra Prang Sam Yot
Built in the early 13th century during the reign of Khmer King Jayavarman VII in Bayon style, Phra Prang Sam Yot was originally a Hindu shrine and later a Mahayana Buddhist temple. It is one of the most complete Khmer monuments in central Thailand. In the 17th century, King Narai of Ayutthaya, who made Lopburi his second capital, restored the temple and converted it for Theravada Buddhist use, adding a brick viharn.
Culture & Context
Phra Prang Sam Yot is the emblematic symbol of Lopburi Province and appears on the provincial seal. It represents the Khmer cultural influence in central Thailand and the later Ayutthaya heritage of Lopburi. The site remains a respected religious monument and a focal point for local festivals, including the annual Lopburi Monkey Festival held nearby.