Thai Monkeys Wage Rampage on Supermarket, Sparking Urban Mayhem

A supermarket in Lopburi, Thailand, witnessed pandemonium as wild monkeys descended upon the establishment, pilfering bananas and wreaking havoc. Authorities have since initiated a plan to mitigate this growing population, fearing the consequences of rising aggression and economic losses.

In Lopburi, a town nestled in the heart of Thailand, a surge in wild monkey population has brought about a relentless wave of chaos and destruction. As the monkeys' numbers soar, their behavior has grown increasingly brazen, leading to a surge in human-monkey conflicts.

The once-charming primates, once a beloved tourist attraction, have transformed into a formidable nuisance, leaving the town in a state of trepidation. Their raids have spread terror, with countless cases of injuries and economic damage being reported.

Recognizing the urgency, local authorities have devised a multifaceted plan to alleviate the monkey menace. The strategy entails a blend of cunning and irresistible allure, as cages baited with delectable ripe fruit are strategically placed throughout the town.

Friday marked the commencement of the operation, with the first phase focused on entrapping the monkeys. The cages, meticulously positioned along the streets, were initially introduced earlier in the week to accustom the monkeys to their presence, diminishing their perceived threat.

Yet, despite the carefully laid plans, the monkeys' cunning proved a formidable adversary. As the first three macaques succumbed to the temptation of rambutan fruit, they found themselves ensnared in the waiting cages.

According to the Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation's Patarapol Maneeorn, the challenge lies in the monkeys' keen intellect and ability to learn from their companions' mistakes. However, the operation has yielded early success, with the capture of around 30 monkeys from various parts of the town.

While the eradication of all monkeys is not the ultimate goal, the aim is to reduce their burgeoning population. Some monkeys will remain free, preserving Lopburi's identity as Thailand's "monkey town."

However, the formidable nature of the task is not lost on the authorities. "With the monkeys' intelligence, if some of them go into the cage and are caught, the others outside won't enter the cage to get the food because they've already learnt what's happened to their friends," Maneeorn explained.

Lopburi, situated just 140 kilometers north of Bangkok, has long embraced its association with monkeys, which have played a pivotal role in drawing tourists to the town. Nevertheless, their escalating aggressiveness has cast a shadow over this once-harmonious relationship.

Shocking videos capturing monkeys brazenly snatching food and causing injuries have garnered widespread attention online. One auto parts shop, forced to erect a protective wire barrier during the height of the pandemic, now finds itself battling a dual threat – COVID-19 and the light-fingered primates.

Supaporn Tantiwong, a shopkeeper, expressed the growing unease among residents. "When there are a lot of monkeys around, customers are afraid of buying the goods at the shop. Only our regulars aren't frightened," she said.

The town's mayor, Chamroen Salacheep, acknowledges the monkeys' dual role – a tourist attraction and a source of trouble for businesses and individuals alike, leading to a decline in trade and even damage to homes. He lamented that Lopburi had become an "almost abandoned town."

But this is not the end for Lopburi's monkeys. The plan extends beyond population control. The authorities are set to administer health checks, clean and sterilize the captured monkeys, and mark them with unique tattoos for identification purposes.

Following these procedures, the monkeys will be temporarily housed in large holding pens outside the town center while a permanent sanctuary is sought. The objective is to provide them with a fresh start in a more suitable habitat.