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. ==Geography==