No more monkey business

The macaques, believed to bring good fortune, also inhabit nearby forests and have long been a part of the city's history.

But after Lopburi came out of the pandemic lockdown in mid-2022, its residents found that the monkeys, without people feeding them, had become unruly.

Troops of macaques had taken over buildings, often confronting residents, stealing food and causing accidents. Gangs of monkeys also broke out in brawls, shocking locals.