Rampaging monkey gangs terrorise Thai tourist town as cops arm themselves with slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat 'dangerous' primates

Rampaging monkey gangs are terrorising a Thai tourist town, causing cops to arm themselves with slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat the 'dangerous' primates. 

Officers said they have come under attack from aggressive macaques in the town of Lopburi, around 90 miles north of the capital Bangkok, which has become notorious for its out-of-control monkey population.

The local police station has now issued wooden catapults that officers can use to fire at the unruly primates, which often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists as well as vandalise property.

Footage shows two police officers riding around Lopburi on a motorcycle, with the one on the back drawing the slingshot and launching small stones at the 'dangerous' primates.

The move comes as Police Major General Apirak Wechkanchana, commander of Lopburi Provincial Police, ordered to establish a special unit to combat aggressive wild monkeys.

Rampaging monkey gangs are terrorising a Thai tourist town, causing cops to arm themselves with slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat the 'dangerous' primates

The local police station has now issued wooden catapults that officers can use to fire at the unruly primates, which often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists

Footage shows two police officers riding around Lopburi on a motorcycle, with the one on the back drawing the slingshot and launching small stones at the 'dangerous' primates

Officers said they have come under attack from aggressive macaques in the town of Lopburi, around 90 miles north of the capital Bangkok, which has become notorious for its out-of-control monkey population (pictured: macaque monkey eating watermelon in Lopburi)

General Apirak said: 'I am aware of the potential danger from monkeys. They have started to pose a threat to tourists and locals. The slingshots now being carried by our officers will help to threaten the monkeys when necessary.

'In most cases they only need to use the slingshots as a deterrent, they don't have to use objects to strike the monkeys.'

The police chief said officers were equipped with slingshots that the officers could use to scare the monkeys. 

He said they are only allowed to use rocks to fire at the creatures when there are no other ways to control them.

They have also been tasked with preventing the monkeys from stealing or vandalising items.

Staff at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation have also started catching some of the worst monkey offenders and relocating them to temporary shelters.

However, they reportedly had difficulties as the primate 'thugs' were familiar with tranquiliser guns and would scale tall buildings and houses whenever they came near.

Nathi Krutthaka, Conservation Bureau Officer No. 1, said: 'We had to hide our faces and conceal the tranquiliser guns so the monkeys wouldn't see them.'

The team managed to capture the troop's leader, 'Ai Krao', who was infamous among the local vendors and drivers due to its aggressiveness. Officers put it to sleep with a sedative dart to its bottom before hauling it inside a cage.

Authorities said seven monkeys had been captured, apart from the nine others caught a day earlier.

olice have started carrying slingshots to defend themselves against crazed monkeys in Thailand.Officers said they have come under attack from aggressive macaques in Lopburi

Motorbikes and cars drive past macaques in Lopburi, Thailand on February 25, 2024. Although the thousands of macaques living in town are a tourists' attraction, many complain that they harass residents and damage houses and businesses while deterring potential visitors

A macaque monkey drinks from a bottle outside the Phra Prang Sam Yod temple during the annual Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok on November 28, 2021

Lopburi has become known in recent years for its out-of-control population monkey population, leading some to like it to an apocalyptic hellscape - with monkeys even commandeering empty buildings

Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in the town as they prove a popular draw for tourists from around the world who feed them sugary treats

Lopburi has become known in recent years for its out-of-control population monkey population, leading some to like it to an apocalyptic hellscape - with monkeys even commandeering empty buildings.

They were seen engaging in a massive gang fight in the depths of the pandemic when there was a shortage of food. Attacks on cars, homes, market stalls and visitors have become increasingly frequent.

Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in the town as they prove a popular draw for tourists from around the world who feed them sugary treats.

The Thai government is struggling to control its macaque problem but has taken steps to manage the monkey population across the country, including creating sanctuaries, mass sterilisation programs, educating the public on how to handle the animals properly, and relocating them to more suitable habitats.