We just wrapped up a one-week whirlwind tour of Isaan in the east of Thaialand, as well as some more central sites in Thailand for our Go! Girl Guides book to Thailand.
After an awesome day of bicycling, photo-taking and research gathering in the old capital Ayutthaya, we boarded a train headed toward Lopburi, stoked to see the monkeys the town is known for.
Until we got there.
Turns out the cute little monkeys we had pictured in our heads were actually wild banshees hell-bent on attacking innocent tourists and robbing them of any food, water or shiny object they may have.
Rumor has it that these monkeys were once charged with guarding the town’s temples, most of which have now turned to ruins.
Apparently, this is a job they take very seriously.
All you have to do is come within three feet of the ruins and you’ll find monkeys everywhere–on the streets, in the electric cables overhead, on top of shops and restaurants, ripping apart anything they can find, and sometimes–coming straight for you and your things.
These pesky little creatures have affected the town’s residents in many ways, with several hostel owners and shopkeeper working diligently to chase them off and telling us horror stories of the constant renovations they have to undergo because of these critters.
We did our usual review of the town’s hostels and couldn’t really find one we’d recommend, mostly because everyplace had a jail-like feel to it with bars on the windows used to keep the monkeys at bay.
And then I got jumped.
I was at Phra Phrang Som Yot checking out the ruins and getting some good monkey shots, and then BAM! All of a sudden I had a monkey on my back, pulling furiously pulling at my hair.
I was so startled that I actually screamed, jumped around and ran away as fast as I could, much to the delight of the guards and other tourists who all thought it was hilarious.
Lesson learned–wild monkeys can be scary.
After my ordeal I found myself walking in the middle of the street just to avoid the monkeys on the sidewalk (oncoming traffic seemed a much better option).
If you are planning on visiting Lopburi, keep these tips in mind.
- DON’T FEED THE MONKEYS! People will sell food for you to buy to feed them, but don’t do it! They will eat your food, and then turn on you.
- Keep your distance! These little monkeys can be mean if you get too close.
Other than that, we had a great time checking out Lopburi… I just don’t think I’ll be going back anytime soon!
Have you ever been taken by surprise by a wild animal? Tell me about it!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
You poor thing! I remember the first time I went to Burma and my mother warned me about the monkeys. She said that they’re notorious for jumping on you if you stop moving and that they even come up to grab things from you. I practically ran all the way up the stairs to the top of the mountain, where we were headed to visit a temple. Luckily the monkeys left me alone, though one jumped on my mother’s HEAD and slapped her arm and another had a bit of a tug of war with my father over his water bottle! If a monkey had attacked me, I would have had the same reaction you did! Maybe worse.
Haha thanks Connie! I wish someone had told me beforehand! It was pretty hilarious though, I’ll admit!
“All of a sudden I had a monkey on my back, pulling furiously pulling at my hair.” “They will eat your food, and then turn on you.” Hmmm…..sounds like a couple of humans I know. ;-D Seriously, that had to have been very scary, Kelly! Glad you lived to tell about your ordeal. Yikes!
I don’t like monkeys. I found out how mean they can be in Ubud, Bali. I’ve seen pictures of this place in Thailand, where the monkeys guard the temples. I would love to go see it, but from a safe distance. 😉 Sorry you got jumped!
I’m glad you got the monkey off your back! I’m with Christy I do not like monkeys. They can be very mean.
We had our mini bar raided by monkeys in South Africa. They are cute until they steal 10 dollar nut mix.
I haven’t had the luck of being “jumped” by any monkeys on my travels (yet)…. but when we were at Iguazu Falls in Argentina, a coati jumped on our table and literally took a sandwich off my plate!
I feel for the monkey. That tends to be how the girls react to me as well…..
Have you seen the How I Met Your Mother episode where Marshall may or may not have been mugged by a monkey? hilarious
I usually really like monkeys, but I’m not sure that would extend to having one on my back and pulling my hair. Those cheeky little devils.
Right! Little jerks!
Haha no! I have to catch it though! I love that show!!