Lopburi is an ancient city. In the Khmer era, it was Lavo or Lava Pura, the important city of the eastern part of the Chao Phraya River valley. In the Ayuthaya kingdom, it was a northeastern frontier city. The glorious period of Lopburi was during the reign of King Narai the Great. He stayed in his palace eight to nine months a year, making Lopburi the second capital of the kingdom. After his reign, the city was nearly deserted, only to be enriched again when King Mongkut visited and renovated King Narai's Palace.
Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram set up Lopburi as the military center of Thailand. He reformed Lopburi city, with its modern center located about 4 km east from the historical center. His predominant building style, Art Deco shows along Narai Maharat Road.
Pibul Wittayalai School Building 1, Art Deco style
Administration
The district is divided into 24 sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 223 villages (mubans). The town (thesaban mueang) Lopburi covers tambon Tha Hin and parts of Thale Chup Son. There are two further sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambon): Khao Phra Ngam covering tambon Khao Phra Ngam, and Khok Tum covering tambons Khok Tum and Nikhom Sang Ton Eng. There are a further 19 tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
