How to relax / 30.12.2023

Monkeys in Thailand. Excursion to Monkey Island Excursion schedule to Monkey Island

Thailand is a tropical paradise, home to many beautiful and exotic animals. Of particular interest to tourists are the monkeys in Pattaya, who win hearts with their friendliness and cute appearance. At the resort, in special places, you have the opportunity not only to admire these animals, but also to treat them to something delicious and take a photo as a souvenir. We will tell you where to find monkeys in Pattaya and how to communicate with them correctly in our article.

Monkey Mountain Khao Sam Mook

Not far from Pattaya there is a special mountain that hundreds of monkeys have chosen and live there quite comfortably. You can get to the place yourself by rented transport or by booking a Discovery excursion, the program of which includes a visit to the mountain. Khao Sam Muk is located near the small town of Saen Suk, an hour's drive from Pattaya.

Anyone can visit the mountain at any time of the day absolutely free. Macaques completely populate the entire mountain, so you won’t have to wander around for a long time in search of a monkey. The inhabitants of the mountain are already well accustomed to tourists and gladly accept, and sometimes even take, treats from their hands. Near the mountain there are constantly sellers of baskets with food for monkeys. They mainly sell corn, bananas and other delicacies.

There are several viewing platforms where you can chat with monkeys and take beautiful photos as a souvenir. We advise you not to limit yourself to visiting one mountain. After interacting with the monkeys, you can visit the local Chinese temples at the foot of the mountain, which will amaze you with their beauty. By the way, you can also meet monkeys at the entrance to the temples.

Monkey Island in the Gulf of Thailand

In the Gulf of Thailand there is an unusual Monkey Island, whose official name is Koh Ped or Ling Island. The island received its unofficial name due to its numerous inhabitants - crab-eating macaques. A small oblong piece of land, surrounded by water and covered with impenetrable jungle thickets, is inhabited only by macaques, and there are a huge number of them. That is why this place is so loved by tourists.

According to one version, monkeys appeared on the island in the late 70s. At that time, there were scientists from the US military here who bred white-handed gibbons to conduct experiments on them. But after a few years later experiments of this kind were prohibited, all the animals were released into the wild. Since then, about 2,000 monkeys have lived on the island. During the tourist season, the animals are fed by travelers during excursions, and during the rest of the year this is done by local residents and the Royal Thai Navy. Over the years, the macaques have become so accustomed to their feeders that when they notice a boat approaching on the horizon, they immediately run ashore to greet the guests. The bravest monkeys even rush into the water to be the first to get a treat.

You can get to the island during one of the excursions or on your own by renting a boat from the pier in Pattaya. A visit to Monkey Island is included in the program of such excursions as: , . If you go on your own, don’t forget to bring some treats for the monkeys, which they are really looking forward to. Macaques eat nuts, fruits, bananas, and their favorite treat is watermelon.

How to behave properly around monkeys?

Despite the fact that monkeys are very cute and friendly creatures, do not forget that these are wild animals and you should strictly follow the rules of behavior with them.

First, try not to smile too much when in direct contact with monkeys, as they may mistake your smile for an aggressive grin and react in response.

Secondly, when feeding, immediately release the food from your hands without trying to hold it. Otherwise, the macaque may bite you to get its treat.

Be careful, as animals may take your water bottle, glasses, or other personal items they see from you. Even if something is taken from you, you should not resist; if the thing turns out to be uninteresting to the monkey, he will immediately throw it away.

Do not show the whole bag or basket of treats at once, otherwise the macaques will want to take it away. Don't tease animals or get too close to them. Act calmly and do not show your fear or other strong emotions. And remember, if you are bitten or scratched by a monkey, consult a doctor immediately, as macaques can carry many infections and diseases.

By following these simple rules, you will be able to see with your own eyes what kind of monkeys there are in Pattaya and communicate with them without negative consequences. These cute creatures will forever win your heart and give you a lot of positive impressions.

Pattaya, with all the disadvantages in the form of a dirty sea in the city itself, is still a wonderful place, because literally a few kilometers from Pattaya there are islands with clean beaches with white sand and a clear blue sea. You especially feel this when you get out of your gray winter homeland, you find yourself, like in a fairy tale, in another country, where there is sun, a different language, different smells and colors. Pattaya has become a second home for many Russians. Many of our compatriots come here in winter, as if to a dacha.

And everything is fine here. Pattaya delights with massage parlors, small cafes where you can taste exotic dishes, and shopping streets littered with all sorts of food. Here you can find not very expensive housing and you practically don’t need to know English here. Pattaya has long been a Russian place. But whatever you say, Pattaya is a fairly large city and there is not and cannot be a clean sea in Pattaya itself. Alas, to visit the tropical paradise from the picture you need to go to the islands near Pattaya.

How to make it easier. You can get to the islands on your own or as part of excursions. Fortunately, there are enough islands near Pattaya. And for every taste. You can go to a desert island and enjoy your own personal paradise, or go to a national park on an educational excursion. But it’s easier to cross the sea by ferry and find yourself under palm trees surrounded by monkeys, and in the evening return home to cozy Pattaya.

The closest island near Pattaya is Koh Larn.

Just in case, don’t forget to wear a life jacket on the ferry; after the ferry sank in Pattaya, this is especially important

If you want to go to the island on a speedboat, you need to ask the same people snooping around the pier. The most interesting thing is that over several decades of Russian tourists staying in Pattaya, the Thais have learned to recognize our questioning intonations and therefore the words “Speedboat?” what is said with the appropriate intonation will be quite enough. You will immediately find the right person, usually the boat captain.

Tawaen Beach

You can get here by ferry and it is the most popular beach on the island. Fortunately, it is very large, about 750 meters long and 100 meters wide. There are restaurants, shops with souvenirs, pareos and hats, a first-aid post, and police. Several bungalows. The beach is equipped with sun loungers from 100 baht per person. There are water attractions and the opportunity to rent a scooter. Masseuses walk around and offer their services.

Tien Beach

From the parking lot where you are dropped off, there is a pedestrian bridge leading to the beach. The beach is about 500 meters long. There is all the infrastructure here: cafes and attractions, but not in such abundance as on Ta Waen. Sunbeds are cheaper. Fewer people.

The beach is mostly sandy, but there are also rocks. Strange fish swim around the rocks and reefs. The beach is good for snorkeling and fishing, but be very careful when entering the water.

Samae Beach

Large crowded beach suitable for swimming. The beach is located in a lagoon, so the water is calm and there are no high waves. Snow-white fine sand and clear sea. Very popular among tourists, you can get here by tuk-tuk from the pier. For sunbeds you will pay from 50 baht. There are cafes and attractions.

Monkey Beach (Nual Beach or Monkey Beach)

You won't necessarily see monkeys here. The monkeys do not live on the beach itself, but come from the jungle from the mountain, which is located at the very end of the beach. They can be fed fruit. Monkeys are very persistent and you may no longer see what they like from your things. Be careful. There are sunbeds, the sea is mostly calm.

But the beach next to the mountain where the monkeys live is not very suitable for swimming due to reefs, urchins and concrete structures in the water, along with a sunken ship. If you want, these places will be suitable for snorkeling.

In addition to the beaches, the island has two observation platforms, a statue of the black Buddha, and in the village there is a Buddhist temple open to tourists. You can travel around the island by taxi or rent a motorbike near the pier.

In Pattaya, you will definitely be offered an excursion to Monkey Island. This is a one-day excursion to the islands of Koh Kram and Koh Ped, located 30 km from the island itself. Koh Ped is the same monkey island that all tourists strive to get to for traditional Thai photos with monkeys.

Description of the excursion to Monkey Island

On the island of Koh Ped, monkeys are not local residents; they were brought here by the Americans during the Vietnam War purely for their own entertainment. The soldiers lived on a nearby island and went to feed their pets. From several individuals of primates, up to two thousand macaques bred.

Monkey Island is very small in size and quite unpleasant to look at. Rocky shore, some bushes and a couple of trees. But the monkeys are very comfortable here and they don’t even think about getting food, because... 2-3 groups of tourists come to them every day. Monkeys, fully aware of their responsibilities, even swim up to boats and meet tourists.

You must be very careful, because monkeys are no longer afraid of tourists and can easily pick out your pockets, open your bags, and take out your things. And then no one will be able to return these things to you and you will be running after monkeys. So, hide keychains, bracelets, earrings, sparkles, rags, etc. in advance, and keep an eye on your bags.

In addition to interacting with the monkeys, the excursion includes fishing, lunch and snorkeling (swimming with masks). The tour lasts from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Excursion schedule to Monkey Island

7.00-8.00 – collection from hotels

9.00 – departure by boat

10.30 — landing on monkey island

11.30 – fishing

13.00 - lunch

14.00 - snorkeling, relaxation, swimming

15.30 – departure to Pattaya

17.00 – arrival in Pattaya and transfer to hotels

What is included in the excursion

transfer
lunch, drinks
snorkel masks

What to take with you on the excursion:

sunscreen and glasses hat
swimsuit
towel
some money (500 baht just in case)
camera

Rules of conduct with monkeys

Be alert and careful, monkeys can be aggressive.

do not sit down - they are less likely to attack those who are taller
don't pet the monkeys
do not offer an empty hand (without a treat)
do not take anything from the land - they consider it a sign of an attack on their property
don't touch the babies

How much does a tour to Monkey Island cost from Pattaya?

Price per adult is 1600 baht, for children under 10 years old - 800 baht.

If you are going to relax somewhere in Southeast Asia, and tourism in general is your hobby, then this article is for you! Often, when looking through information about warm countries, on the Internet you can come across a mention of how, for example, monkeys in Thailand robbed tourists. And that's nothing! After all, primates even manage to bite some exotic lovers. To avoid getting into a similar situation on vacation, let’s learn more about our little brothers...

Cute, human-like, harmful, terrifying - regardless of your opinion about monkeys, you are likely to encounter them when traveling through the countries of Southeast Asia and beyond.

It’s a pleasure to watch the antics of the primates and take stunning photographs of them, so that you can then send them home or make an impressive album upon your return. It will only be possible to do this if these “cuties” did not steal your camera.

Monkeys come in different types and sizes. Among them, the most common species that you are sure to encounter is macaques. In second place are gibbons, with a white mask on the face and a beige-black body.

Also found in large numbers in Southeast Asia are orangutans, langurs, and the proboscis monkey (a Caucasian species in the world of apes).

Where can you find monkeys in Thailand?

In the land of smiles, they live almost everywhere, especially macaques. In the provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi, for example, they even know how to dive, while catching clams, sea crabs and mussels. There is even a special school for macaques on the island of Koh Chang, where they are taught various tricks, including collecting coconuts from palm trees, and then performing daily performances for tourists. On Koh Samui you can also watch monkeys picking coconuts from palm trees on a plantation.

If you are vacationing in Pattaya, then you also have a chance to get to know these “cute” animals better. Indeed, during boat trips, tourists are often taken to the nearby Monkey Island, measuring 24 hectares. There are simply thousands of primates on it and their main food is offerings from tourists. Therefore, when they see another ship or boat, the monkeys run to the shore in anticipation of guests and treats.

On the island of Phuket, you can get acquainted with these animals by climbing Monkey Hill, located between the village of Ang Sila and Saen Beach. Just don’t forget to buy their favorite treat – bananas – along the way.

No matter how tame and good-natured the monkeys seem to tourists, they still need to be approached with caution, follow some simple recommendations and be treated with a healthy dose of skepticism towards their touching faces.

Rules of conduct if there is a monkey next to you:

Don't smile! If you think that “a smile will make everyone brighter,” then this is not the case. With monkeys, the “smile wide and sincere” tactic doesn’t work. For cute humanoid animals, showing teeth is one of the signs of threat and aggression. Conclusion: you shouldn’t smile at a monkey if you don’t want to fight it off or run away.

Don't engage in tug of war. The main reason why tourists are bitten is simple - they did not let go of what the monkey grabbed. Most often, those who grab the limbs of macaques and other primates encroach on camera belts, backpacks, glasses, water bottles, and the like. Professionals recommend that as soon as a monkey grabs something from you, you should let it go and not pick on it. Ideally, if you act this way, the primate will simply examine the captured object and throw it away. But what condition the item will be in after inspection is not specified. Maybe the backpack is not as necessary as you thought?

Don't offer food! Feeding a monkey, for example, chips, a hamburger or a sausage roll is, in any case, a bad idea. But if you offer a banana to one attractive individual from the order of higher mammals, then relatives of this very individual may appear.

And here there are several options for the development of events:

You have enough bananas to pay off and leave quietly.
You don’t have that many bananas, the monkeys are upset, but have lost interest in you - they won’t hit you or bite you.
You don't have that many bananas, the monkeys are upset, and they are not going to accept your refusal... Signal to attack... I hope you run fast?

Don't show your fear. Monkey clans usually follow a caste system, with a large alpha male at the head, with all the ensuing consequences.

Be careful while filming. If a monkey somehow sees its reflection in the lens of your camera, this may provoke it to attack.

Monkey behavior.

Know! Primates are overly curious, so be interested in what’s in your backpack or purse. Most meetings with relatives of Grandfather Darwin are peaceful, so try not to panic if one of them wants to get to know you or your things better.

Immediately release whatever they grab. Although the best option is to leave no chance for the monkey to grab it! Hide everything that dangles ahead of time, and the belts, first of all.

Monkeys have an ideal sense of smell and will detect even unopened food, so you won’t be surprised if you, and most likely the Snickers in your backpack, make a splash among the “local population.”

In some places, macaques may even jump on your shoulders without permission. Don't panic and don't try to drive it away yourself - the monkey will jump off as soon as it's ready.

In places with large monkey populations, apparently due to high competition, local primates may decide to rummage through your belongings, bags, backpacks or sacks left unattended.

Watch out! Because once, after swimming to your heart’s content, you can go out to the beach and collect your things for a long, long time. And why all? Monkeys can work with lightning!

Monkey bite.

A monkey bite, no matter how trivial, can very quickly turn into a dangerous precedent.

For example, monkeys are a traditional carrier of rabies, and those that do not have it can be carriers of other equally dangerous infections (measles, tuberculosis, polio, fever, etc.), due to the high level of bacteria in the mouth.

If you are bitten, each victim must be examined by a doctor and you will most likely have to endure a series of painful and expensive rabies vaccinations.

Moreover, in this case, you, in principle, have no choice: rabies has no early symptoms, and the disease can result in death if not treated immediately.

Are you scared? That's how it was intended.

What to do if a monkey behaves aggressively?

If the monkey acts particularly aggressively, you need to stand your ground: wave your arms, or take a stick if you have one. In general, show “who is the real man here.”

If you are forced to retreat (an aggressive monkey has more goods), then move slowly, without haste: running or another manifestation of fear will force them to attack rather than retreat.

What to do if you are nevertheless bitten by a monkey.

The bite should be immediately washed with clean water and treated with iodine or another antiseptic. Preferably within 15 minutes.

Then immediately seek help from a doctor, who will begin treating you with antibiotics and also suggest measures to combat rabies.

These are the simple rules of conduct!

Compliance with all the above rules will allow the monkeys to be remembered by you as the cute little animals “in the photo” and leave a good impression of your vacation!

They are found everywhere - they can be seen especially often on beaches, in parks and in. For Aboriginal people, they are part of everyday life, its background. Some of these human ancestors remained wild. They are cautious and try to stay away from people. But there are representatives of the Banderlog people who are overly kind and fed. This is the merit of tourists who cannot pass by a funny macaque without giving her a handout. Primates are quite unpredictable - in the first minute of close contact they will allow themselves to be stroked, and in any other minute they will find any opportunity to steal something from you.

What kind of monkeys are found in Thailand?

Most likely, the monkey seen in Thailand will be a macaque or a gibbon. These are exactly the beggars who run rackets in crowded tourist areas. The country's jungles are also home to langurs and orangutans. These animals rarely come down to the ground and spend most of their time on the upper tier of tree thickets; they, as a rule, avoid people.

Gibbons

Gibbons in Thailand often serve as pets. Locals call them “lar”; they have a white mask on their face and a beige-black body. The periodic hoots that come from the jungle in the morning are the sounds made by gibbons. They are graceful and beautiful, capable of deftly performing acrobatic stunts and climbing trees. Their popularity is the reason for poaching, which has become so widespread that some gibbons have to be seized and kept in rehabilitation centers so that they can return to their usual habitat.

Macaques

Macaques live everywhere in Thailand. They use the lower tier of woody vegetation for overnight stays and as shelter. They obtain food on the ground, and are especially often found along the banks of rivers and lakes, where they hunt for mollusks and small crustaceans in shallow water. In and Phang Nga they adapted to catch sea crabs and mussels. These animals not only climb well, but also swim and are capable of diving. They carry food supplies in cheek pouches, much like hamsters.

Monkey banquet

Held once a year, on the last Sunday of November. The scene is the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple near the city of Lop Buri, which is one and a half hundred kilometers from. The tradition began in 1988, but the festival is associated with a legendary event - the help of an army of monkeys led by Hanuman to the supreme deity Rama in the battle with the demon Ravana. Townspeople bring sweets, fruits and other delicacies to the 7-meter-long table. In 2011 there were almost 4 tons.

Usually more than five hundred macaques take part in the feast. Their appetite is excellent, but the same cannot be said about their manners. By the end of the event, the table is completely destroyed, and the overfed primates sit on tree branches and throw cores, scraps and soda cans at tourists. In the evening, tourists are invited to the Ramak monkey show, conducted under the direction of experienced trainers.

Monkey College

The local population has adapted to use the energy of monkeys for peaceful purposes. They look for the ripest nuts in the coconut plantations. There are even road signs on this island, literally translated into Russian - "Monkeys work on coconut plantations". Take the time to stop and watch the laborious rush of the dexterous poison dart frogs. They collect from 700 to 1 thousand coconuts per day. A Monkey College has been organized to educate macaques. It is located in the city of Surat Thani. In addition to imparting production skills, they are taught to entertain tourists. There is a similar establishment on. There is also a daily monkey show there.

Monkey Island

is a piece of land with an area of 24 hectares, located south of. They were brought there for the purpose of entertaining tourists, who were originally American Air Force pilots. Having no natural enemies, the colony of primates multiplied to incredible sizes. There are thousands of them there. In the absence of visitors, macaques feed on crabs and mussels. But the main source of food is offerings from tourists. Seeing the boat, the entire herd of monkeys spills onto the shore and waits for it to land. Then the real bacchanalia begins. Animals literally walk over heads and drag everything that is bad and good. The number of stolen cameras, smartphones and small personal items is incalculable.

Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain in Thailand is Monkey Hill on the island of Phuket. It is located nearby, approximately halfway between Ang Sila village and Saen Beach. There are extremely many macaques there and they are busy with their usual business - racketeering. At the entrance to the park there is a shop where they sell green bananas. It’s better not to climb the hill without them, you won’t get repulsed. Be extremely careful around monkeys. They might bite. Take care of cameras and other things: macaques have no hesitation in rummaging through purses.

Monkey is dangerous!

Treating a monkey as a cool, harmless little animal cannot be considered correct. She is kind only as long as she is full or accidentally strays from the herd. Then she can even allow herself to be stroked. A friendly group of primates is equivalent to a gang of gopniks in a dark alley, and if they are hungry, then their impudence exceeds all limits. They are capable of stealing from a tourist everything that their playful hands can reach, and in the event of a massive attack, resistance is completely useless. Therefore, in places where monkeys gather, be extremely attentive and careful. If something valuable is stolen from you, then you can return it, but only in the first moment, and not by force, but in exchange for something edible. If the monkey does not find something useful for himself in the stolen item, he will tear it or break it. Don't hug the monkey. She could easily bite. In this case, consult a doctor immediately. The animal may be rabid.

If a monkey bites...

So, what to do if bitten by a monkey in Thailand? Even if you were not bitten, but scratched, be sure to wash the wound with clean water and treat it with iodine or a similar antiseptic. After this, be sure to consult a doctor, since a wild and unvaccinated animal can be a carrier of the same diseases that are dangerous to humans - measles, polio, rabies, tuberculosis and others. In general, the entire list of diseases from the medical encyclopedia.

The simplest security measures

The largest number of monkeys in Thailand hang out on the territory of Buddhist temples. The reason for this is the offerings from visitors to the supreme and other minor deities. And also where they are bred specifically for the amusement of tourists or where travelers feed them themselves. If you intend to visit such places, try to carry nothing with you other than clothes. Handbags, umbrellas, cameras - anything that protrudes beyond the size of a tourist or dangles on him can attract the attention of a primate. If you take a video camera, it is better to let it be an inexpensive point-and-shoot camera. Try to stay away from females with cubs and not offend members of the monkey group, since somewhere nearby there may be a dominant male or female who will definitely take measures to protect them. In case of a collective attack, try to quickly retreat.

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