Overview

• Lopburi, a Thai city known for its macaque population, faced increased monkey aggression after the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in tourist feeding.
• Residents reported monkeys taking over buildings, stealing food, and causing accidents, prompting authorities to take action.
• Officials initiated a sterilization campaign, aiming to neuter all monkeys and place them in designated areas for care.
• Approximately 1,600 monkeys have been captured and sterilized, reducing the chaos and improving local business conditions.
• While some animal rights groups support sterilization, they criticize the use of cages and call for better funding for animal care.