Rampaging monkey gangs terrorise Thai tourist town as cops arm themselves with slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat ‘dangerous’ primates

Rebellious monkey gangs are terrorizing a Thai tourist town, prompting police to arm themselves with slingshots and stun guns to battle the ‘dangerous’ primates.

Officers said they were attacked by aggressive macaques in the city of Lopburi, about 150 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok, which has become infamous for its out-of-control monkey population.

The local police department has now issued wooden slingshots that officers can use to shoot at the unruly primates, who often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists, and destroy property.

Footage shows two police officers riding a motorcycle through Lopburi, while the one on the back pulls the catapult and launches small stones at the ‘dangerous’ primates.

The move comes after Major General Apirak Wechkanchana, commander of the Lopburi provincial police, was ordered to set up a special unit to combat aggressive wild monkeys.

The local police station has now issued wooden slingshots that officers can use to shoot at the unruly primates, who often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists.

Footage shows two police officers riding a motorcycle through Lopburi, while the one at the back draws the catapult and launches small stones at the ‘dangerous’ primates

Officers said they were attacked by aggressive macaques in the city of Lopburi, about 150 kilometers north of the capital Bangkok, which has become infamous for its out-of-control monkey population (photo: macaque eating watermelon in Lopburi)

General Apirak said: ‘I am aware of the potential danger of monkeys. They are starting to pose a threat to tourists and locals. The slingshots now carried by our officers will help threaten the monkeys when necessary.

“In most cases, they only need to use the catapults as a deterrent, they don’t need to use objects to hit the monkeys.”

The police chief said officers were equipped with slingshots that officers used to scare the monkeys.

He said they should only use rocks to shoot the creatures if there are no other ways to control them.

They are also tasked with preventing the monkeys from stealing or destroying objects.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation officials have also begun rounding up some of the worst monkey offenders and relocating them to temporary shelters.

However, they reportedly had problems because the primate ‘thugs’ were known to carry stun guns and climb tall buildings and houses when they got close.

Nathi Krutthaka, Officer No. 1 of the Conservation Bureau, said: “We had to hide our faces and hide the tranquilizer guns so that the monkeys wouldn’t see them.”

The team managed to arrest the leader of the troops, ‘Ai Krao’, who was notorious among local vendors and drivers for his aggressiveness. Officers put the animal to sleep with a tranquilizer dart to the bottom before dragging it into a cage.

Authorities said seven monkeys had been captured, in addition to nine others captured a day earlier.

Police have started carrying slingshots to defend themselves against crazy monkeys in Thailand. Officers said they were attacked by aggressive macaques in Lopburi

Motorcycles and cars drive past macaques in Lopburi, Thailand on February 25, 2024. Although the thousands of macaques that live in the city are a tourist attraction, many complain that they harass residents and damage homes and businesses, while scaring off potential visitors.

A macaque drinks from a bottle outside Phra Prang Sam Yod Temple during the annual Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok on November 28, 2021

Lopburi has become known in recent years for its out-of-control monkey population, leading some to enjoy the idea of ​​going to an apocalyptic hellscape – with monkeys even running empty buildings

Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in town as they prove to be a popular attraction for tourists from all over the world who feed them sweet treats

Lopburi has become known in recent years for its out-of-control monkey population, leading some to call it an apocalyptic hellscape – with monkeys even taking over empty buildings.

They were involved in a large-scale gang fight in the depths of the pandemic, when food was in short supply. Attacks on cars, houses, market stalls and visitors are becoming increasingly common.

Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in the city as they prove to be a popular attraction for tourists from all over the world who feed them sweet treats.

The Thai government is struggling to control the macaque problem, but has taken steps to control the monkey population across the country, including creating sanctuaries, mass sterilization programs, educating the public on how to properly handle the animals need to cope, and moving them to more suitable habitats.