Hands up who wants to come with me for an afternoon of happiness as we head off on a road trip in search of the Lopburi sunflower fields? It’s just a couple of hours’ drive outside of Bangkok and makes for a delightful weekend escape.
We’re off in search of endless rolling fields of glorious sunflowers in the pretty Lopburi countryside. It’s officially winter here in Thailand and we’re looking forward to enjoying the cooler weather to wander amongst the sunflower fields.
Walking along the paths dwarfed by sunflowers is one of those
glorious ‘pinch me, I’m in Thailand’ moments.
THAILAND’S SUNFLOWER Fields
Thailand’s sunflowers are harvested for sunflower oil production, used for cooking and their seeds, are eaten as a snack. The thriving tourist attraction has been established and quite frankly it’s a must at this time of year.
SUNFLOWER SHOPPING
The farmers open up their fields and add in a couple of walkways and viewing platforms which you can access for a small fee. Local vendors come and sell food and snacks and anything and everything with sunflowers on it – how about a sunflower hairband?
WHY VISIT?
A visit to the sunflowers makes for a lovely day out in the Thai countryside, connecting with local people and exploring an area which you might not normally venture to.
C’mon, we’ll throw in some sunscreen, bug stuff, and a hat and let’s go!
Thailand’s Sunflower season
The season for sunflower fields is usually from November to January but it depends on the weather and climate of the year.
We found the 2019/2020 season was initially delayed due to the drought. So always check with the local TAT Tourism Office for the area that you choose.
to find the sunflower fields
There are several locations to view sunflowers around Bangkok:
- Khao Chin Lae Sunflower Fields and others (Lopburi province)
- Muak Lek Sunflower Fields (Saraburi province)
- Pak Chong Sunflower Fields (Nakhon Ratchasima province))
- Jim Thompson Farm Sunflower Fields: (Nakhon Ratchasima province)
The last two are a great opportunity for a day or an overnight stay in the Khao Yai National Park area. If you are staying in the area check out my earlier posts here:
Weekend Wanders: Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and Khao Yai
The most scenic sunflower fields (Lopburi and Saraburi Nov-Jan) have Khao Chin Lae เขาจีนแล in the background. When in bloom this area, will be spectacular because of this famous backdrop of mountains.
with Khao Chin Lae เขาจีนแล in the background.
We choose a day trip to Lopburi province as it is home to the biggest sunflower fields in Thailand.
TIPS FOR VISITING Thailand’s SUNFLOWER Fields:
BE PREPARED
Know where you are going. We read there are thousands of acres of sunflowers. You would think they are not hard to miss but we did have a false start arriving to find fields and fields of stalks early in the season!
So beware. The lack of rains this year meant that the Lopburi Khao Chin Lae season was delayed.
Our advice is to ask the local TAT offices. Check out which sunflowers are flowering and where at the TAT Lopburi Facebook page.
When you find the fields in bloom they are not hard to miss!
GET your timing riGHT
We got there at midday. Big mistake. It is best to go early in the morning if you can. It is cooler and the sunflowers will be looking at their best. Far from the sunflowers turning to face the sun, they were rather droopy when we were there!
PLAN YOUR TRANSPORT
The sunflowers of Lopburi are approximately 150 km North of Bangkok.
By Car: Having a car was a bonus as it enables you to see more than one sunflower field and to take in some of the local sights.
By Train: At certain times of the year, you can reach this area by special trains which run on three weekends in December. The trains depart from Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok at 6:40 a.m. and arrive at the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam. The price of one trip is only 270 baht.
By Bus: Take the bus from Lopburi heading to Wang Muang and get off around the turn-off (15B, 30 to 45 minutes, departures about every hour)
By Taxi: From Lop Buri Railway Station, in the region of 500-700 THB.
OUR LOCATION:
These photos were taken in the sunflower fields around Wat Waeluwan (Wat Khao Chin Lae) วัดเวฬุวัน (วัดเขาจีนแล).
Pa Sak Cholasit Dam:
We combined our visit with a trip to Pa Sak Cholasit Dam the biggest dam in Central Thailand. Once there you can take a tram (cost 30 BHT) around the site where you will stop at a temple.
It reminded me very much of my trip to a similar dam in Nakhon Nayok:
Weekend Wanders: Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam
In my view, this is nice to do if you are in the area, but I wouldn’t make a special trip to visit.
Pa Sak Cholasit Dam:
A meal with a view…
As recommended by Expat Life in Thailand
‘If you are feeling a bit hungry or thirsty after roaming through Khao Chin Lae Sunflower Fields (Lopburi), head out onto the main road and take a seat at a restaurant called ‘กะเพรา & coffee‘. This is a perfect place for sitting down and going over your photos from the fields.‘
We thought the setting of this restaurant rather than the food or coffee was the highlight. Definitely a good place to stop for some photos.
Restaurant address:
Nikhom Sang Ton Eng, Mueang Lop Buri District, Lopburi 15000
ตำบลนิคมสร้างตนเอง อำเภอเมืองลพบุรี ลพบุรี 15000
RP7X+MQ Nikhom Sang Ton Eng, Mueang Lop Buri District, Lopburi
Open now: 8 AM–6 PM
‘กะเพรา & coffee‘ view from the restaurant
Chin Lae Khao Do
20km East from old town Lopburi by road we came across this ancient temple. Apparently, the walk up to the forest temple is worthwhile to be greeted by hundreds of peacocks and the view across to admire rugged Khao Chin Lae peak. You will need your own transport.
We did not stay long as we were looking for sunflowers!
The Sunflower Festival in Thailand
You’ve gotta to love a sunflower. They are big and bold and renowned the world over as the happy flower, they are hard to resist. I hope if you are in the area during sunflower season that you have been inspired to check out the sunflower fields of Thailand
Wishing you a happy and sunny day ahead!
20 comments
Wow, those are really cool.
Thanks Liz, I’d hope they would brighten your chilly day!
Wren x
Nice to know about the Sunflowers fields of Thailand. Such delightful images. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a meal or just some coffee at a restaurant that overlooks stretches of Sunflowers!! 🙂
You are so right Dee, having sunflowers in your life are great backdrop to lunch or coffee!
Hope the sun shines for you this week!
Wren x
Beautiful! I love sunflowers!
I agree, sending you some Thai warmth Tanya!
Wren x
Such gorgeous shots of the sunflowers!
Thank you Fiona, it was a tad tricky as we had to find ones that were standing proud in the heat of the day! Still they are always a cheery flower to behold!
Wren x
Hello, I love the field of sunflowers. Beautiful blooms. The restaurant with a view looks great.
Enjoy your day, have a great weekend ahead!
I really like the way the sunflower fields have developed in Thailand to give both an agricultural and some small tourist income. They are a gorgeous, happy flower which we all love for sure.
Have a happy week Eileen!
Wren x
Oh my. The sunflowers do look so lovely on this winter’s day.
Shame I can’t send you some warmth as well Dixie! Hope you’re not too chilly!
Wren x
They really are stunning! And those fields with the mountains in the background just incredible. (I was thinking maybe the State of Kansas here in the US should try sunflower tourism, because when we RV traveled through there one Autumn there sure were a lot o them. But then I remembered how perfectly flat that state is and even sunflowers can get tiresome on long seemingly endless flat highways. ). Thailand’s fields look more interesting. )
You’re right Sallie the backdrop of the rock formations and occasional temple in the background are wonderful for photos. We weren’t quite lucky at this time, but that is the beauty of a visit to the sunflower fields, no two visits will be the same! Let me know if Kansas goes into Sunflowers!
So beautiful, Wren – you can’t help but smile when you see sunflowers! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day! x Karen
You don’t have to convince me. I’d love to walk in the fields. Flowers are one of my loves and sunflowers are so cheerful!
Wow!!! photos are so very beautiful!!!! Thank you! Have a grand day!
I’m a big fan of sunflowers and went on a sunflower trip myself last summer.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade
I put a bunch of silk sunflowers in a basket this week…..just to brighten things up! So yes…I would love to go and see fields of them growing and blooming! What an adventure that would be! Thanks for sharing the photos!
Wren – an afternoon of happiness? I’m in!!! The picture under the first mosaic is incredible. The petals are so delicate and the pattern of the seeds within the head are so intricate. Thanks for sharing the sunflower fields with everyone at Mosaic Monday!