Known as Lavo during much of its history, Lopburi probably dates to prehistoric times. The name Lavo originated from the capital city of
Lavo kingdom, an ancient
Mon kingdom of the
Dvaravati period (6th–11th century CE). The conquering
Khmer would build many impressive temples in the city during its rule. Lopburi may even have liberated itself for a time, as it sent independent embassies to China in 1115 and 1155. In 1289 it sent another embassy to China, but soon became part of the Thai kingdom of
Sukhothai and later
Ayutthaya. During the Ayutthaya period, King
Ramathibodi I sent Phra
Ramesuan (later King Ramesuan) as the
Uparaja to reign in Lopburi. In 1666 King
Narai the Great ordered a
new palace built on the east bank of the
Lopburi River and made Lopburi the second capital of the country, as Ayutthaya was threatened by the
Dutch. After King Narai died, the city was almost abandoned and fell into ruin. In 1856 King
Mongkut of the Chakri dynasty ordered King Narai's palace to be renovated. The city finally regained its importance in 1937, when Field Marshal
Plaek Phibunsongkhram chose Lopburi to be the largest military base in Thailand and once was decide to be new capital city of Thailand after the end of
World War II. ==Geography==