Playing music for monkeys? Some people might not believe that there could be such an activity.
But yes, there is.
The programme, scheduled for tomorrow at a motorcycle spare parts shop, is a piano recital, to be performed by Paul Barton, an English artist/photographer, in the heart of Lop Buri city. The other programme, planned for Praprang Samyot on Saturday, is not yet confirmed as the artist is waiting for the green light from the Fine Arts Department.
The programme, which is an experiment, is aimed at proving if macaques have an ear for melodies. Playing music for animals is not something new to Barton. Before this, he used to play for elephants in Kanchanaburi. His clips of himself playing music for elephants have garnered about a million views on YouTube.
The artist moved on to Lop Buri, a central province with monkeys, or macaques, to be more precise, to continue his mission.
The artist started the latest experiment earlier this month at an abandoned cinema. At the motorcycle shop, Chayovanich, the owner has an abiding love for primates.
The initial results have been positive.
I had a chance to take a look at a few clips, one of them made by his five-year-old daughter, and they are really heartwarming.
While the artist was playing classical pieces, monkeys sat around him and were well behaved. He allowed the creatures to freely climb up the piano, touch it and even his note book. A few climbed into his lap as well.
Lop Buri people have had a love-hate relationship with monkeys for years, if not decades.
On the one hand, monkeys are good for tourism, which generates income for locals. On the other hand, the creatures' high levels of mischief can be a headache for many.
The fact is, urbanisation has intruded significantly into the habitat of monkeys, and with no buffer zones separating them from humans, there are now regular complaints about damage to property and some monkeys getting very aggressive. Several have been hit by cars on the roads and many have been attacked by angry people. This has only intensified the creatures' aggressiveness as they struggle to live and find food.
This explains why monkeys around the motorcycle shop are well-fed; with love and compassion, they cause no problems.
Barton, who has had several encounters with monkeys, said: "They are very good, gentle and not dangerous." In his view, the creatures are similar to humans and they have the same feelings for love and family.
It's hoped that the music programme, with cooperation from a civic group, will raise awareness of the plight of monkeys and offer them some sort of welfare which, for them, has dried up during the Covid-19 crisis.
Well-respected scholar Phuthorn Bhumadhon, who has helped facilitate the programme, said it could alter negative image of alleged monkey abuse in the coconut industry in Thailand as, in his own words, people and monkeys can coexist in Lop Buri.
Such a message should be heard around the world, he said.
But more than being about a good image, it's time Lop Buri authorities think seriously about a plan for these primates. Years ago, they planned a relocation, but there has been little progress. There have been macaques that were badly affected by quarry operations outside of Lop Buri town; the authorities should look into this as well.
It's time they map out a comprehensive plan for monkeys, and incorporate civic groups, businesses, and communities.
Back to the music programme tomorrow. Anyone wishing to lend an ear can drop by at 4pm.
In order to prevent overcrowding that may affect the quality of the performance, the Lop Buri civic group will provide a large projector, so people can share and enjoy the heartwarming experience together.