Thailand: Thousands of hungry monkeys take over the city center, and locals and tourists flee

An army of about 3,500 monkeys has invaded a city center in Thailand, scaring away tourists and forcing businesses to close, according to reports.

Monkeys have become such a big problem that the popular city of Lopburi is at risk of turning into a ghost town, with Chinese investors holding back their money until the problem is addressed, according to the South China Post.

Many businesses and shops have ceased operations and abandoned the once-thriving mall, as local macaques harass customers and destroy businesses.

The Lopburi Chamber of Commerce said the city center was now deserted and collapsed.

A representative of Pingya Mall told Thailand's Khaosod News Agency that monkeys often enter the mall to climb and disturb customers who come to shop.

Small business owners who rent space to sell their wares often have to repair roofs, windows, and other damage every month. The shopping center was offered for sale two years ago, but there were no buyers, according to the center New York Post.

Money is pouring into the city of Thailand, causing tourists to flee.
About 3,500 monkeys appeared on the streets
pic.twitter.com/HPm5AD5mbg

— Waseem Adam Khan Marwat (@waseemadamkhan) February 3, 2024

According to a representative of the shopping center, investors who see the tragedy of the situation are postponing their investments indefinitely.

The city centre, once a major commercial area, is now deserted and falling apart, the Lopré Chamber of Commerce said. The organization considered that the city's building laws, which limit the height of buildings and preserve their history, exacerbate the problem.

Yes, Thailand has a few people with monkey problems, Lopburi being probably the biggest. Most of the time, if you leave them alone, they leave you alone pic.twitter.com/HquwT1r0o6

– Vance Rowley (@RowleyVance) February 2, 2024

The chamber president said he believes laws should be changed to allow monkey management in urban areas to save the city's economy.

“The government must decide at the policy level how to develop Lopburi as a historic city with many historical monuments and how to help boost tourism in the province and attract more tourists,” he said.

The monkeys were once an important part of the city's tourism sector before they started wreaking havoc there, as tourists came to feed them and interact with them at historical sites.

An annual monkey festival is also held in the area to thank the animals that brought people to Lopburi, according to the South China Post.

But in recent years, problems with monkeys have increased. In 2020, hundreds of macaques from two rival “gangs” were filmed fighting each other on city streets.

Government officials in the region are expected to sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Protection to find joint solutions to the monkey problem.