Bon voyage – Phuket prepares to move monkeys to islands

Phuket’s Governor Noraphat Plodthong says “Long-tailed macaque and Southern pig-tailed macaque are disturbing local residents and tourists. We are planning to move monkeys to islands that have been provided as a long-term solution. A public hearing will be held this month to discuss all the options.”

“Officials have surveyed and found that there are seven main areas that have monkey problems including Yamu Paklok, King Kaew Soi 9 and Tha Chin Rassada. In these three area monkeys are damaging local residents’ property. Other areas are in Bang Rong Paklok, Khao To Sae (Monkey Hill) and Khao Rang. In these area moneys are being mischievous with tourists, sometimes stealing their property and also occasionally violent. The last area is at Koh Sirey viewpoint. This area has lots of Long-tailed macaque and it is very dirty.”

“There are three more areas that have been facing monkey problems – at Baan Ko En in Mai Khao, Klong Koh Pee and the Big Buddha in Chalong. In these areas monkeys are being fed which is, long-term, very bad for the monkeys. They don’t go out to find food by themselves. The numbers of monkeys in these areas have boomed causing even greater problems. After officials informed local residents and tourists not to feed these monkeys the problem has been partially resolved and can be controlled.”