Lopburi, a city located 140 kilometers from Bangkok, was known for its unique harmony between Buddhist monks and monkeys. However, the city’s tranquility was disrupted when the government decided to turn it into a tourist attraction. This led to an increase in visitors and aggressive behavior from the primates, causing chaos and damage to businesses in Lopburi.
According to local businesses, over 3,500 monkeys had taken over the city, stealing food from visitors and breaking into shops. The authorities responded by capturing 2,500 of the monkeys and relocating them to open spaces away from urban areas. While this may bring some relief to businesses in Lopburi, animal groups are concerned about what will happen to the captured monkeys.
With the increasing demand for monkeys for biomedical research due to the pandemic, there are worries that they could be sold for experiments. Rhesus macaques, which are genetically close to humans and ideal for research purposes, are particularly sought after.
As Lopburi prepares to clean up and restore peace between humans and monkeys, uncertainty looms over what will happen to these animals. The conflict between humans and wildlife raises ethical concerns about how they will be treated and exploited for profit.
The city’s transformation into a tourist attraction has brought both benefits and challenges. While it has boosted tourism revenue, it has also disrupted the natural habitat of the primates and put them at risk of harm. It remains unclear how Lopburi will balance economic development with environmental conservation in order to ensure that both humans and animals can live harmoniously together in this historic city.
