Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Thailand Tambon Tha Hin Phra Prang Sam Yot

Phra Prang Sam Yot

Monkeys lounge around at this 13th century temple.

Tambon Tha Hin, Thailand

Added By
David FERETTE
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
A macque sits on the Buddha’s shoulder.   Airdavid / Atlas Obscura User
Monkeys amidst the ancient carvings.   Ddalbiez/CC BY-SA 3.0
Phra Prang Sam Yot.   Airdavid / Atlas Obscura User
A Buddha statue in the courtyard of Phra Prang Sam Yot.   Dinkum/Public Domain
The intricate carvings on the temple were done over the course of centuries.   Dinkum/Public Domain
Monkeys are everywhere.   Airdavid / Atlas Obscura User
Macaques at Phra Prang Sam Yot.   กสิณ ธร ราชโอรส/CC BY-SA 4.0
Macaques at Phra Prang Sam Yot.   Airdavid / Atlas Obscura User
An angry monkey.   Airdavid / Atlas Obscura User
Monkeys at Phra Prang Sam Yot.   Airdavid / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The new residents of Phra Prang Sam Yot aren't Buddhists or Hindus, they're primates.

Phra Prang Sam Yot is a 13th century temple built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII. It was originally used as a Buddhist temple, converted to a temple to Shiva after Jayavarman's death, then repurposed for Buddhism again in the 1600s, all of which is evident in its multi-symbolic architecture. It remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the old city of Lopburi, but not for its religious significance or cultural history. It's because of the monkeys.

The temple has been overrun by macaques. This may have started because of the annual Monkey Buffet Festival that occurs in the city, during which locals give them fruits and vegetables. Now the monkey population is over 2,000, and most of them live in the temple in relative isolation from the human population. However, living in such close quarters with humans has made them unafraid to snatch treats and personal belongings right out of your hands. Their aggression has gotten serious enough that the city has designated officials to feed them at specific times during the day so that they won't attack tourists.

Related Tags

Buddhism Monkeys Animals Temples

Community Contributors

Added By

Airdavid

Edited By

Molly McBride Jacobson

  • Molly McBride Jacobson

Published

November 11, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Buffet_Festival
  • https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phra_Prang_Sam_Yod
  • https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narai
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lopburi
  • http://pathsunwritten.com/2019/05/ancient-lopburi-lost-cities-travel-guide/
Phra Prang Sam Yot
Phra Prang Sam Yot
Mueang Lop Buri District
Tambon Tha Hin
Thailand
14.802842, 100.6139
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Thailand's Biggest Buddha

Tambon Phai Cham Sin, Thailand

miles away

Wat Nong Bua Yai

Nong Bua, Thailand

miles away

Buddha Head in Tree Roots

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Thailand

Thailand

Asia

Places 125
Stories 14

Nearby Places

Thailand's Biggest Buddha

Tambon Phai Cham Sin, Thailand

miles away

Wat Nong Bua Yai

Nong Bua, Thailand

miles away

Buddha Head in Tree Roots

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Thailand

Thailand

Asia

Places 125
Stories 14

Related Places

  • Kyoto, Japan

    Yasaka Kōshin-dō Temple

    This compact temple is filled with garlands of colorful balls that represent restrained monkeys.

  • Mythical canaries adorning the ceremonial hall.

    Tambon Pong Ngam, Thailand

    Wat Tham Pla

    A Buddhist shrine in a cave protected by macaques next to dark passages lined with creepy paintings.

  • Lucky cat figures at Gotokuji Temple

    Tokyo, Japan

    Gotokuji Temple

    The legendary birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko is dotted with hundreds of lucky beckoning cats.

  • Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

    Kathmandu, Nepal

    Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

    Sacred Buddhist home of some spiritual monkeys.

  • A gang of monkeys relax near the temple. (robertbrauneis/Flickr)

    Jaipur, India

    Hanuman’s Temple

    Sacred Indian temple that’s all monkey business.

  • View of the Pura Dalem temple

    Ubud, Indonesia

    Sacred Monkey Forest (Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana)

    Hindu temple of the dead home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques.

  • Chhokangparo, Nepal

    Tsum Valley

    A remote area dotted with Buddhist temples and monasteries.

  • Thotagamuwa, Sri Lanka

    Aluviharaya Rock Cave Temple

    Ancient cave temple near a massive Buddha statue.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.