Lop Buri’s famous monkeys enjoyed a 24th annual buffet festival on Sunday at Phra Prang Sam Yot in the province. Photos by Patipat Janthong.

PHOTOS

26 NOV 2012

Lop Buri monkey banquet

Lop Buri’s famous monkeys enjoyed a 24th annual buffet festival on Sunday at Phra Prang Sam Yot in the province. Photos by Patipat Janthong.

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Lop Buri monkey banquet — Yongyuth Kitwatananusont, owner of the Lop Buri Inn Hotel, believes that monkeys are a sacred animal capable of helping his business to prosper.

Lop Buri monkey banquet — The monkey banquet in Lop Buri was first held in 1989 by local hotelier Yongyuth Kitwatananusont.

Lop Buri monkey banquet — The monkey festival is held annually on the last Sunday of November. A hundred Chinese tables covered with food and fruit are served to monkeys living around the Khmer shrine of Phra Prang Sam Yot.

Lop Buri monkey banquet — According to the Lop Buri Monkey Foundation, there are around 4,000 monkeys living in the province. Around 2,000 monkeys live around Phra Prang Sam Yot and the nearby Phra Kan shrine.

Lop Buri monkey banquet — The monkey population is one of Lop Buri's biggest tourist attractions; however the primates are wild and are often accused of stealing bags, hats and food from tourists.

Lop Buri monkey banquet — The growing monkey population has become a problem to local residents. Authorities and local veterinarians work to limit the number of monkeys in central Lop Buri.