Monkey mayhem: Lopburi locals go bananas over macaque move

Khao Phra subdistrict residents and community leaders in Nakhon Nayok province protest a scheme to temporarily accommodate a group of 50 macaques from Lopburi province. Fearing potential attacks and chaos, locals stand firm against the plan proposed by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

The DNP’s strategy aims to address the escalating aggression of Lopburi monkeys, notorious for pilfering food and assaulting people, inflicting injuries on several occasions. To curb this menace, the DNP intends to relocate the monkeys to a designated monkey garden in the Pho Khao Ton subdistrict.

However, as construction lags behind schedule, the DNP suggests housing the primates temporarily at Wildlife Rescue Centre 1 in Khao Phra subdistrict.

In a heated meeting between Nakhon Nayok province executives and DNP officials, the scheduled transport of the monkeys faced staunch opposition from Khao Phra subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO) members. SAO president, Phongsawat Theerawattanakul, voiced concerns over inadequate communication regarding the relocation plan’s specifics, particularly regarding security measures and accountability in case of any untoward incidents.

Phongsawat highlighted the unanimous vote against the move by Khao Phra subdistrict residents.

“We stand ready to cooperate but clarity on responsibility in the event of monkey-related trouble is essential.”

Issara Sukjaemsai, Mueang district chief of Nakhon Nayok, chaired the contentious meeting, assuring to relay the community’s resolution to the provincial authorities, reported The Nation.

Consequently, the planned transfer of monkeys to Wildlife Rescue Centre 1 faces an immediate halt, offering a reprieve amidst the escalating tension.

In related news, in the blistering heat of midday on March 8, a frenzy of ravenous monkeys cascaded down from Khao Sam Muk, invading Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province. With desperation in their eyes, the furry bandits eagerly awaited sustenance from unsuspecting tourists, with some even resorting to car-climbing antics in a desperate bid for food.