National park officials started the selective capture of aggressive macaques in Lop Buri’s Muang district yesterday, for relocation to an animal shelter in Nakhon Nayok province.

Controls on the distribution of food to the monkeys by members of the public are also tightened up, including fines for violators.

Initially, about 50 of the most aggressive monkeys have been targeted for relocation, said Krirkwit Phumipayak, chief of the Khao Somphot non-hunting area.

Tranquiliser darts are used to subdue the animals, which can take up to 5 minutes to take effect, during which the targeted monkeys try to escape by climbing on nearby buildings and they may get hurt when they fall on the ground when the effect of the tranquiliser kicks in, he said.

The operation is focused at the Phra Prang Sam Yot ancient ruins, the old Malai Rama theatre, Manora market and in front of Muang Thong hotel in Tha Hin sub-district, where many monkeys gather to feast on food given to them by animal lovers or to snatch food from shoppers.

A meeting of officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the governor, municipal officials and representatives of the civic groups was held yesterday at the Lop Buri provincial hall, to discuss issues related to the monkeys, such as the economic impacts and the suffering of people harassed by the monkeys.

It was disclosed that about 40% of some 150 shop houses on Wichayen and Sura Songkhram roads have closed down due to monkey harassment.

Several proposals were made during the meeting by business owners and ordinary people affected by the monkeys. These included compensation for affected businesses, reduction of rental fees charged by the municipality for the shop houses, rearrangement of the locations where food is given to the monkeys by the public and strict enforcement of the law against disorderly feeding of them.

Kannikar Maksasithorn, a businesswoman operating near the Malai Rama theatre, told Thai PBS reporters that her business has been badly affected by monkey harassment for over 20 years, forcing many others to move elsewhere.

She said that she hopes that, this time, the meeting will help ease, if not solve, the problem caused by the monkeys.

Meanwhile, national park officials explained details of the compensation available for people attacked by the monkeys, which came into effect last Saturday:

• Bt100,000 in compensation for death, disability, loss of hands, legs or eyesight.
• Bt50,000 for the loss of a hand, leg or eyesight.
• Actual medical expenses for general injuries not exceeding 30,000 baht.
• 300 baht daily compensation for loss of wages due to absence from work, but not exceeding 180 days.