Thai town overrun by thousands of marauding monkeys causes tension | Global News

The town of Lopburi in central Thailand is facing a unique problem – an overpopulation of monkeys that has led to conflicts with residents and visitors. With about 2,500 monkeys roaming the streets, the town has become known for its primate population, but not necessarily in a positive way.

In response to several high-profile cases of monkey-human conflict, the authorities in Lopburi have launched an offensive against the monkeys. Using ripe tropical fruit as bait, locals have set up cages to trap the animals and reduce their numbers. The first stage of the plan involves luring the monkeys with their favorite food and waiting for them to be hungry enough to approach the cages.

The town’s mayor, Chamroen Salacheep, has expressed concern over the negative impact the monkeys have had on trade and the community. Shops and malls have seen a drop in income, and homes have been damaged by the mischievous primates. Describing Lopburi as almost an “abandoned town,” Mayor Chamroen is determined to restore faith in the community by cleaning up the town and painting buildings once the operation is over.

Despite early success in trapping some monkeys with the fruit bait, the operation is expected to face challenges due to the intelligence of the animals. The authorities plan to sedate the monkeys for health checks, sterilization, and identification before transferring them to holding pens outside the town center. While some monkeys will be released to maintain Lopburi’s identity as Thailand’s monkey town, others will be relocated to find a new home and prevent further conflicts with residents.