In a scene straight out of a movie, a mob of around 200 monkeys stormed a police station in Lopburi, Thailand, leaving officers scrambling for cover. The macaques, known for their dominance in the city, escaped their enclosures on Saturday, unleashing chaos throughout the town.
Authorities and residents alike were caught off guard as the monkey marauders descended on the station, forcing officers to barricade doors and windows. “We’ve had to ensure the monkeys don’t enter the building looking for food,” said Police Captain Somchai Seedee. Concerns arose over potential damage to police documents and property as the daring invaders perched themselves on the station roof.
The streets below weren’t spared either. Traffic cops and local authorities were tasked with rounding up the primates, using food as bait to lure them back to designated areas. Photos of the incident showed some monkeys proudly surveying the town from their rooftop conquest.
Lopburi, often called the “City of Monkeys,” is home to thousands of macaques, revered in Thai culture due to their association with Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god. These primates hold a sacred status but are also infamous for their unruly behavior. Since the 1980s, Lopburi has hosted an annual fruit feast to honor them—a mix of religious tradition and tourist attraction.
Despite their cultural significance, the growing monkey population has become a pressing issue for the town. Authorities have tried sterilization and relocation programs to manage their numbers, but clashes between humans and macaques remain common.
As Lopburi’s residents work toward a peaceful coexistence with their furry neighbors, the weekend’s “monkey mayhem” served as a reminder of the city’s unique, and sometimes chaotic, bond with these animals.
