Thai and Foreign Tourists Invited to Visit Lop Buri for the King Narai Reign Fair

(14/02/2013)

Dressed up in traditional Thai costumes, local residents in Lop Buri province are ready to welcome both Thai and foreign visitors to the King Narai Reign Fair 2013. The fair takes place at the Narai Ratchaniwet compound in the heart of the city of Lop Buri from 15 to 22 February 2013. It is a major cultural event of Lop Buri, held annually to celebrate the glorious days of the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya period. Visitors are also encouraged to wear traditional costumes to make the event more colorful and enjoyable. One of the highlights is an ancient market where visitors should exchange their money for bullet coins to buy goods. The event features many cultural shows, folk games, a light and sound presentation, demonstrations of cooking Thai desserts, a contest of food preparation, and a bazaar of local products. Narai Ratchaniwet, the venue for the fair, is an old palace built by King Narai and it now serves as the National Museum of Lop Buri and has become a tourist attraction. Recognized as Ayutthaya’s most outward-looking and cosmopolitan ruler, King Narai, who ruled the Thai kingdom from 1656 to 1688, was accorded the title “the Great” for his contributions in many areas. He was best known for his promotion of diplomatic relations with European powers during the 17th century. His open-door policy led to trade contact between Ayutthaya and merchants from different parts of the world. French missionaries and merchants came to the capital, and during the 1680s, King Narai and Louis XIV established diplomatic ties. However, the French tried to convert King Narai to Christianity and also attempted to gain a foothold in the Thai kingdom. In 1687, they sent troops to garrison Bangkok. When a succession conflict broke out in 1688, an anti-French official seized power, drove out the French garrisons, and executed King Narai’s Greek favorite, Constantine Phaulkon, who had been championing the French cause. After 1688, Ayutthaya had less contact with Western nations, but there was no policy of national seclusion. Aware of the dangers of foreign invasion, as Ayutthaya was located close to the sea, King Narai decided to develop Lop Buri as the second capital of the Kingdom, with the help of French architects. Narai Ratchaniwet, often referred to as Lop Buri Palace, was the venue where King Narai received French ambassadors. It was built in a mixture of Thai and Western architectural styles. King Narai resided at this palace for eight or nine months each year and returned to Ayutthaya during the rainy season. About 150 kilometers north of Bangkok, Lop Buri province holds the King Narai Reign Fair not only to promote local tourism but also the preservation of local culture. Among major attractions in Lop Buri are the Three Pagodas, or Prang Sam Yot, a symbol of Lop Buri, and Pasak Jolasid Dam, which has emerged as a popular day trip for many tourists.