Morning sunlight warms the dark stone towers of Phra Prang Sam Yot. Sweet pineapple scents float across the stone courtyard. Hundreds of long-tailed monkeys chatter along ancient walls. Below, local vendors set out massive ice blocks packed with fruit and sticky rice.
Planning this wild event takes clear facts on trains and safety. This Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide gives practical advice for solo travelers.
Here is what this complete guide covers:
- When to catch the four daily feast rounds at Phra Prang Sam Yot.
- How to take the scenic morning train from Bangkok for under two dollars.
- Where to stand to capture wild macaque photos without getting robbed.
- What local dishes to order at historic Old Town night markets.
- How to handle wild monkey bites and avoid aggressive animal encounters.
Quick Facts for Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival Visitors
- Event Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026 (Annual last Sunday of November).
- Location: Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan shrine, Lopburi, Thailand.
- Main Banquet Times: Four scheduled rounds at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
- Admission Cost: Free street viewing; 50 THB ($1.45 USD) for temple grounds.
- Transit from Bangkok: Northern Line trains take two hours and cost 28 THB ($0.80 USD).
- Living Population: Over 2,000 crab-eating macaques residing in Lopburi Old Town.
Confirmed 2026 Dates for the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival
The Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival takes place on Sunday, November 29, 2026. Lopburi celebrates this grand feast each year on the final Sunday of November. This date falls on the fifth waning moon of the twelfth Thai lunar month.
It follows soon after the nationwide Loy Krathong holiday. Festival events begin early in the morning around the three stone towers. In addition, workers set up long tables on ancient stone grounds.
An opening blessing also takes place near San Phra Kan shrine at nine o’clock. Most travelers arrive before ten. They want to find good viewing spots before the first food spread opens.
Crowds grow quickly by midday. Therefore, catching the earliest train from Bangkok offers clear views. Furthermore, this Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide helps you time your arrival for the best lighting.
The fun events run until four in the afternoon. Afterward, full monkeys climb back up to shaded roofs to rest.
Spiritual Origins of the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival
Local people trace Lopburi’s bond with monkeys back to the ancient Ramakien epic. According to legend, the monkey god Hanuman helped Prince Rama win a war. As a reward, Rama shot an arrow to mark city borders. That settlement became modern Lopburi.
Local townspeople treat the resident macaques as living disciples of Hanuman. For years, Lopburi merchants have lived side by side with these animals. In fact, many locals believe the primates bring good luck and business success.
As a result, harming a macaque is strictly forbidden across the province. In particular, understanding these sacred legends helps you appreciate our Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide.
The modern banquet custom began in 1989. Local hotelier Yongyuth Kitwatanusont started the feast alongside the Tourism Authority of Thailand. They wanted to thank the monkeys for bringing global guests.
Today, town leaders and local market vendors carry on the custom. Together, they donate over two thousand kilograms of fresh food each year.
Four Feast Rounds at Phra Prang Sam Yot
The feast runs in four separate rounds throughout the day. This schedule ensures every monkey group gets plenty of fresh food. In addition, each round brings out fresh tablecloths, fruit pyramids, and frozen fruit blocks.
Consequently, this setup lets guests take great feeding photos from multiple angles.
1. Morning Opening Ceremonies and Ice Blocks (10:00 AM)
The ten o’clock round serves as the official opening feast. Dancers in fine Thai silk perform graceful blessings outside San Phra Kan shrine. Next, workers roll out tall blocks of carved ice packed with ripe melon, pineapples, and dragon fruit.
Hundreds of macaques swarm down the three towers as soon as handlers step away. Young monkeys lick the cold ice while large males carry off whole fruit pieces.
Moreover, this morning round offers soft sunlight for photos. The scene matches the festive energy of the Songkran Thai New Year water festival.
2. Midday Fruit Towers and Sticky Rice (12:00 PM)
The noon round welcomes morning day-trippers arriving on trains from Bangkok. Caterers spread long buffet tables loaded with fruit salads, sweet corn, and sticky rice. In addition, workers serve sweet egg treats like thong yod and thong yip.
Midday heat rises quickly. Because of this heat, monkeys grab sweet food quickly and run to cooler perches. Guests should step back during this rush.
Meanwhile, small fights break out between rival troops over fresh corn cobs. These scuffles give great action shots for camera lenses.
3. Afternoon Jelly Pyramids and Cool Drinks (2:00 PM & 4:00 PM)
The afternoon banquets bring colorful treats. Local volunteers prepare giant wobbling jelly molds colored bright green, red, and yellow. Workers pack fresh fruit slices inside the sweet gelatin.
Monkeys dig their paws into the jelly. They pull out sweet treats with obvious joy. Handlers also pass out cans of sweet fruit juice.
Clever macaques pop open metal cans with their sharp teeth and drink the sweet juice. By the final four o’clock round, hundreds of tired monkeys nap calmly along ancient brick walls.
Where to Watch the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival
Finding the right spot keeps you safe and gives you great photos. The grass lawn in front of Phra Prang Sam Yot offers the best view. From here, you can frame the three Khmer spires behind the busy feeding tables.
San Phra Kan shrine sits across the railway tracks and hosts the morning blessing. The shrine courtyard provides welcome shade under tall trees. However, monkeys in this area roam along the ground. Therefore, keep your bags zipped tight while taking photos.
The pedestrian crossing between the two shrines offers wide open views. Police close the road to cars during feast hours, so guests can walk freely. You should stand near open spaces so young monkeys cannot jump onto your back.
Above all, rely on this Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide to navigate the busiest viewing zones safely.
Getting to Lopburi: Express Trains and Highway Transit
Traveling from Bangkok to Lopburi is simple and very cheap by rail. Trains run by the State Railway of Thailand depart often from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.
In addition, commuter trains stop at Don Mueang Airport station. This stop offers easy connections for flying visitors.
Taking the train is the top route recommended in this Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide. Third-class tickets cost just 28 THB ($0.80 USD). The ride takes two scenic hours across flat rice fields.
Meanwhile, air-conditioned second-class seats cost 94 THB to 150 THB ($2.70 to $4.35 USD). You can book your Bangkok to Lopburi train and van tickets online before holiday weekends sell out.
Lop Buri Railway Station stands directly in Old Town, just two hundred meters from the temples. You simply walk three minutes down the street to reach the buffet.
In addition, this train line links travelers to the historic ruins of Ayutthaya. Travelers can visit both ancient cities with ease.
Heading north to Chiang Mai next? Read our Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train guide. Passenger minivans also run from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal 2. They charge 120 THB ($3.50 USD) for a three-hour highway trip.
Where to Stay for the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival
Lopburi divides into historic Old Town and modern New Town. Pick your base based on your plans. Walk to the feast or sleep far from monkeys.
We recommend booking rooms four weeks ahead, as regional hotels fill up quickly for the festival weekend.
Lopburi Old Town Guesthouses (Walking Distance to Temples)
Old Town inns sit a short walk from Phra Prang Sam Yot and the train station. Staying here lets you stroll directly to the morning feast without hiring morning transport. Modest local guesthouses offer clean fan and air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms at very low rates.
However, Old Town has one clear drawback: macaques rule the streets. Monkeys sit on balcony rails and peek through windows to search for snacks. For this reason, keep your bedroom windows latched shut at all times. Never leave food on outdoor terraces.
Lopburi New Town Hotels (Quiet Base Away from Macaques)
New Town lies three kilometers east of the train station along Narai Maharat Road. This shopping area offers broad streets, shopping centers, and zero monkey presence. It provides peaceful evenings for travelers wanting quiet sleep and secure parking.
Stay at HOP INN Lopburi. This tidy modern hotel offers cool air conditioning and fast internet. Frequent shared songthaew trucks run to Old Town in ten minutes for 15 THB ($0.45 USD).
Check other vetted Lopburi accommodations search on Booking.com to compare holiday rates.
What to Eat in Lopburi: Southern and Central Thai Specialities
Lopburi serves wonderful central Thai food shaped by royal palace history and rich farmland. After watching the monkeys enjoy their fruit, head to street stalls near the train station for tasty meals.
Tasting local food completes your journey with this Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide. Order a plate of kai yang, tender grilled chicken flavored with garlic, lemongrass, and coriander.
Pair it with fresh green papaya salad (som tum) and warm sticky rice served in woven baskets. A hearty street lunch costs only 60 THB to 80 THB ($1.75 to $2.30 USD).
Another local dish is khao kha mu. Cooks simmer tender pork leg in sweet soy broth with star anise. Vendors serve it over rice with sour greens and eggs for 50 THB ($1.45 USD). Enjoy your meal with a glass of sweet iced Thai milk tea.
Temple Etiquette and Macaque Safety Rules
Visiting Phra Prang Sam Yot during the feast calls for sensible wildlife precautions. The Fine Arts Department of Thailand protects the site. They ask guests to treat the ruins with care.
When dressing for your trip, wear modest temple clothes similar to guidelines for sacred Buddhist temples in Bangkok.
Follow these basic rules to prevent monkey theft and bites:
- Never carry plastic bags: Macaques link crinkling plastic with food and will jump to take them.
- Hide shiny objects: Place sunglasses, earrings, and hats deep inside zipped pockets before entering the temple.
- Avoid tugging back items: If a monkey grabs your water bottle, let it go immediately to prevent bites.
- Do not stare at monkeys: Primates view direct eye contact and bared teeth as direct threats.
- Keep food off your clothes: Feeding monkeys by hand tempts them to climb onto your head.
Staying connected with an Airalo Thailand eSIM lets you check live train times and maps on your phone. If a monkey scratches or bites you, wash the skin with soap and clean water for fifteen minutes.
Then visit King Narai Hospital in Lopburi right away for rabies shots. Always travel with SafetyWing Nomad Insurance to cover emergency medical care abroad.
Step-by-Step Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival Itinerary
This one-day plan helps you see the best feast rounds. It also leaves time to tour royal palaces.
| Time Window | Location & Activity | Key Experience & Practical Advice
|
|---|---|---|
| 07:00 – 09:30 | Train from Bangkok to Lop Buri | Take the morning express train from Krung Thep Aphiwat. Enjoy views of green rice fields across central plains. |
| 09:30 – 10:45 | San Phra Kan & Phra Prang Sam Yot | Watch the opening dance blessings and the 10:00 AM fruit banquet. Photograph macaques atop ice blocks. |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Phra Prang Sam Yot Courtyard | Observe the 12:00 PM midday banquet round. Stand back to see troops sharing fresh corn and sticky rice. |
| 12:30 – 14:00 | Old Town Market & Lunch | Walk two minutes to local food stalls. Enjoy grilled chicken kai yang, fresh som tum, and cold Thai milk tea. |
| 14:00 – 15:30 | King Narai’s Royal Palace | Visit the 17th-century palace museum. Enjoy quiet grassy courtyards completely free of monkeys. |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Phra Prang Sam Yot Perimeter | Watch the 4:00 PM sweet jelly round. See macaques dig into colorful fruit gelatin before heading to the station. |
| 17:00 – 19:30 | Return Train to Bangkok | Board the evening train back to Bangkok. Relax in air-conditioned comfort as the sun sets over rural rail tracks. |
Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival Travel Costs & Daily Budget
Here is a summary of daily costs for our Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide. Visiting Lopburi is very cheap because street viewing is free and train fares remain low.
| Expense Category | Budget Tier (THB / USD) | Mid-Range Tier (THB / USD) | Luxury Tier (THB / USD)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Return Train Fare (Bangkok – Lopburi) | 56 THB ($1.60 USD) / 3rd class | 250 THB ($7.25 USD) / 2nd class AC | 800 THB ($23.20 USD) / 1st class or van |
| Nightly Lodging (Optional Overnight) | 400 THB ($11.60 USD) / Old Town room | 850 THB ($24.65 USD) / modern hotel | 2,400 THB ($69.60 USD) / resort room |
| Temple & Museum Entry Fees | 50 THB ($1.45 USD) / Prang Sam Yot | 200 THB ($5.80 USD) / temple + palace | 200 THB ($5.80 USD) / temple + palace |
| Three Daily Meals & Cool Drinks | 180 THB ($5.20 USD) / street stalls | 450 THB ($13.05 USD) / cafes & dining | 1,100 THB ($31.90 USD) / fine dining |
| Local Transport (Songthaew & Tuk-Tuk) | 30 THB ($0.85 USD) / shared truck | 120 THB ($3.50 USD) / private tuk-tuk | 350 THB ($10.15 USD) / private car |
| Total Estimated Daily Cost (THB) | 716 THB | 1,870 THB | 4,850 THB |
| Total Estimated Daily Cost (USD) | $20.70 USD | $54.25 USD | $140.65 USD |
Prices checked on 04 October 2026. Local currency conversions calculated at 1 USD = 34.48 THB.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival
Planning your trip to Lopburi is simple with verified facts. Here are clear answers to common questions about our Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival guide.
When is the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival held each year?
The festival takes place on the last Sunday of November. In 2026, the banquet falls on Sunday, November 29. Events run from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon around Phra Prang Sam Yot.
How much does it cost to attend the monkey banquet?
Watching the feast from public streets and San Phra Kan is free. Foreign visitors pay 50 THB ($1.45 USD) to enter Phra Prang Sam Yot. Thai citizens pay 10 THB.
Is Lopburi safe to visit with wild monkeys roaming around?
Yes, Lopburi is safe if you stay alert and follow basic wildlife rules. Avoid carrying plastic bags, secure your sunglasses, and never tease monkeys with food. Keep a respectful distance when dominant males feed.
Can you visit Lopburi as a day trip from Bangkok?
Yes, Lopburi makes an ideal day trip from Bangkok. Trains take two hours from Krung Thep Aphiwat station directly to Old Town. You can see multiple banquet rounds and return to Bangkok by evening.
What should you do if a monkey bites or scratches you?
Immediately wash the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and warm water for fifteen minutes. Then go directly to King Narai Hospital in Lopburi to receive rabies and tetanus shots. Do not delay medical treatment.
Please travel with care. Guard your belongings closely, avoid touching wild macaques, and honor local temple grounds.
