Phra Prang Sam Yot

Three 800 year old Khmer prangs in Lopburi town

The Phra Prang Sam Yot is Lopburi’s best known landmark and one of its oldest. It is one of several monuments that date back to the Khmer era. The monument in the center of Lopburi town is perhaps best known for the large number of monkeys that run around free, constantly on the lookout for food.

“Three holy prangs”

Phra Prang Sam Yot, which translates to “three holy prangs” is featured on the provincial seal of Lopburi which depicts Vishnu in front of the monuments’s three prangs.

The Phra Prang Sam Yot consists of three Khmer style laterite prangs, the central one being the tallest, the other two a little smaller. The prangs stand on a low base and are connected by vaulted passageways.

The towers are adorned with stuccoed decorations of mythological creatures, of which little remains today. Carved into the colonettes of the Southern door, sitting in a niche is a carving of Rishi, hermits from Indian and Thai mythology. Two of the prangs contain Buddha images in the Lopburi style.

History of the Phra Prang Sam Yot

The Phra Prang Sam Yot was built when Lopburi was under the control of the Khmer empire from Angkor. The monument was likely founded in the late 12^th or early 13^th century during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, the King who built Angkor Thom, the capital of the Khmer empire, and the Bayon, his state temple.

Built as a Buddhist sanctuary
The Phra Prang Sam Yot was probably built as a Buddhist sanctuary, as King Jayavarman VII was a Mahayana Buddhist contrary to his predecessors who were Hindu.

Converted into Hindu shrine
At one point in time the Phra Prang Sam Yot was converted into a Hindu shrine, as several lingas, the representation of the Hindu God Shiva, have been discovered inside the prangs.

Converted back into Buddhist temple
During the reign of King Narai, King of Ayutthaya in the second half of the 17^th century, the Phra Prang Sam Yot was converted into a Buddhist monument and a brick viharn (assembly hall) was added to the complex. In the back of the viharn seated on a pedestal is a stone Ayutthaya style Buddha image in the meditation posture. Little is left of the two images in front of it in the “Calling the Earth to witness” posture.

Prang Khaek

A few hundred meters South West of Phra Prang Sam Yot is another Khmer era monument named Prang Khaek, which translates to “Indian prangs”.

Built as a Hindu shrine, the Prang Khaek consists of three smaller brick prangs. Unlike those of the Prang Phra Sam Yot, they are not connected by corridors. The Prang Khaek is the oldest Khmer monument in Lopburi, it was likely built in the 10^th century.

The brick viharn next to the prangs was built during the reign of King Narai the Great in the 17^th century.

San Phra Kan shrine

The San Phra Kan shrine consists of an ancient Khmer structure and a recent building. The ancient structure which was likely built in the 11^th century comprises of a mound of large laterite blocks, on top of which is what remains of an ancient building.

In 1951 a new shrine was built which houses a standing image of the Hindu God Vishnu with four arms. The head of the highly revered image was missing; it was later fitted with the head of an Ayutthaya style Buddha image. The San Phra Kan shrine is also known for the groups of monkeys that hang out there.

How to get to Phra Prang Sam Yot, Prang Khaek & San Phra Kan shrine

All three monuments are located in the old part of Lopburi town, East of the Lopburi river. The Phra Prang Sam Yot is found on Phra Sam Yot road a few hundred meters North of the main railway station. The Prang Khaek is located in the middle of a traffic island on Vichayen road, a few hundred meters South West of Phra Prang Sam Yot. The San Phra Kan shrine is found just East of the Phra Prang Sam Yot.

All three monuments are within walking distance of Lopburi train station. Alternatively, charter a samlor bicycle taxi anywhere in the old town for about 40 Thai Baht.

Opening hours

Phra Prang Sam Yot and Prang Khaek open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 am until 5 pm.
The San Phra Kan shrine opens daily from 7 am until 6 pm.

Entrance fee

Admission charged at the ticket booth is (Thai Baht):

A combined ticket for Phra Prang Sam Yot, Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, Baan Wichayen and Kraison Siharat throne hall costs 150 Baht.

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Other Khmer temples across Thailand

• Muang Tum
• Phanom Rung
• Phimai
• Prasat Sikhoraphum
• Sdok Kok Thom
• Prasat Muang Singh
• Wat Kamphaeng Laeng

Also read

• Lopburi province
• Central Thailand