"Scared of Gangster Monkeys, No Visit"...Unexpected Outcry in Thailand's Monkey City

'Monkey City' Lopburi, Thailand
Tourists Plummet Due to Aggressive Monkeys

In Lopburi, Thailand, known as the "Monkey City," the increasing number of hungry monkeys is causing growing anxiety among residents. Once famous as a tourist destination, the city is now experiencing a decline in visitors due to the monkeys' aggressive behavior, which is also impacting the local economy.

On the 22nd, KBS reported that the monkeys have taken over the streets of Lopburi and have become so aggressive that they even engage in group fights, leading to a sharp decrease in tourists. According to the report, the monkeys rummage through discarded drinks, climb onto moving vehicles, and threaten passersby. As a result of the monkeys' aggression, tourist numbers have plummeted, and shops have either installed wire fences or closed down.

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Located about 140 km northeast of the capital Bangkok, Lopburi is a region famous for its monkeys. Initially, tourists flocked to the area to see the monkeys and often fed them.

Due to the abundant environment, the monkey population continued to grow. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a halt in tourism, the shortage of food led the monkeys to invade residential areas and attack residents. In 2020, hundreds of monkeys engaged in a massive brawl in the middle of a road, causing traffic paralysis.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

In response, Thai authorities launched a "Monkey Removal Operation" in March. They announced plans to capture monkeys by setting up cages in various parts of the city. In 2022, a large-scale sterilization campaign was also conducted to control the population.

The Thai government is striving to find ways for animals and humans to coexist. Atapol Charoensunsa, Secretary-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said, "We do not want humans to harm monkeys, nor do we want monkeys to harm humans." He added, "We will work with wildlife experts to find a way for a certain number of monkeys to live freely in the city."