Bangkok

Reporter hospitalised with mystery illness after being bitten by monkey

Published

Saturday, April 3, 2021 11:04

Maya Taylor

PHOTO: แปลงกาย / Facebook

A reporter who visited the Bangkok home of an obese monkey before it was removed by The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, is being treated in hospital after being bitten by the macaque. “Godzilla” found fame overnight after he was removed from his owner due to concerns about his weight.

Godzilla had been living at a market in the Minburi district of the capital and weighs more than 20 kilograms as a result of passers-by feeding him a diet of junk food. The average weight of a fully-grown macaque is 10 kilograms. DNP officials, concerned that the monkey’s obesity could be life-threatening, decided to seize him from his owner on Thursday. The day before he was removed, a news reporter visited his home on assignment. Now medical staff at Paolo Hospital Phaholyothin say they’re worried about the condition of PPTV reporter, Natcha Norphong.

It’s understood that on arrival at the home of the monkey’s owner, Natcha was initially reluctant to touch the animal. When the owner informed her that it was safe to do so, she approached the macaque, who then sank his teeth into her, biting right down to the bone.

According to a Nation Thailand report, doctors say Natcha’s white blood cell count has dropped to 3,000/ml. Normal levels are around 4,500-10,000/ml. It’s understood she is unable to get out of bed and, while no virus was detected in her blood, doctors believe she may have a bone infection.

A veterinarian from the DNP says monkeys can also carry rabies and tetanus. There is nothing to indicate that Godzilla was ever vaccinated.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

Get more from The Thaiger

News Categories: Bangkok

Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.

Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.

Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

Create an Account

11 Comments

John_2

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11:23 am

SV40 (Simian Virus 40) the cancer causing monkey virus that contaminated 96 million shots of the 1958 Polio vaccine, was so named because it was the 40th virus discovered in monkeys.
Good luck getting bitten by a monkey lots of nasties there.

Log in to Reply
Rick

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 2:43 pm

She probably has a new monkey covid variant. We need a new vaccine asap or we’re all going to die!!!!

Log in to Reply
toby andrews

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 4:52 pm

Thailand rounds up all monkeys to test for new virus. All will be tested, however foreign monkeys have to pay.
Don’t sue the monkey, sue the organ grinder.

Log in to Reply
Mr cynic

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 5:18 pm

Yet more proof monkeys are wild animals and are not suitable to be kept as household pets however cute they may look.

Log in to Reply
Bill

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 6:10 pm

Agree with Rick…time to triple mask Isaan John

Log in to Reply
J West

Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11:18 pm

Years ago I’d booked into a cheapo flop somewhere on the North South rail line for a rest and recon of a town I hadn’t prior knowledge of. As there was no quicky laundry I hand washed my shirt, skivvies and socks in the sink and hung them to dry on a roof rack. A few hours later I went up to collect my clothes and found everything torn to shreds without a single piece left any larger than a postage stamp. Damn monkeys.

Log in to Reply
Harvey

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 8:54 am

Correct me if I’m wrong but, don’t white blood cells counts increase in the blood when a infection is present? They are the body’s defense against infections.

Log in to Reply
Rick

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 1:46 pm

Didn’t you get the memo Harvey? Actual biology no longer has any fucntion in this age of the magical “Covid-19” narrative. Try to keep up man.

Log in to Reply
toby andrews

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 4:37 pm

Thailand announces all monkeys misbehaving will be sentenced to 6 months coconut picking.

Log in to Reply
Dominic Chan

Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 5:33 pm

No virus? Are you serious? Monkeys carry a variety of unknown diseases. HIV/AIDS are the result from these primates.
If anyone is uncomfortable with animals, don’t touch them. They can read human emotions.

Log in to Reply
Amy Sukwan

Monday, April 5, 2021 at 12:14 pm

I have trouble with monkeys. Give me an elephant a tiger a liger a shark or a snake. My first time in Thailand some Curious George looking guy was tied to a chain outside of our rest stop. My then boyfriend wanted to take pictures but the little asshole took my purse! Hilarity ensued for my boyfriend as this guy got caught in my hair climbed my arm and bit everywhere but thankfully he never pierced through with his teeth. Haven’t liked monkeys since…and they don’t like me either

Log in to Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

Up Next

Reporter banned from Government House says police aimed a gun at her at rally

Don't Miss

Bangkok student with Covid travelled to Phuket