Lopburi Monkey City
Where to See the Monkeys Safely

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Mention Lopburi and most people think of the monkeys first. The troops of long-tailed macaques around the old town are tied to a long-running story about San Phra Kan shrine — locals consider the monkeys descendants of Hanuman, so they've fed them and lived alongside them for over a hundred years. The monkeys are densest in a small triangle in the centre of town, between Phra Prang Sam Yot, San Phra Kan, and the old shophouses around them — all within a few minutes' walk of each other.

Over the past few years the town has rounded up and relocated monkeys several times to bring the numbers down, after the troops expanded their territory enough to disrupt daily life for residents. The troops around Phra Prang and San Phra Kan are still here as a symbol of the town, but in smaller numbers and in a more orderly, managed area than before — it's far easier to walk around and watch them now than it used to be.

Where to see the monkeys in Lopburi

The monkeys in Lopburi's old town split roughly into troops by where they live, and each spot has its own temperament. Knowing this in advance makes the visit both more fun and safer.

What to be careful of around the monkeys

Lopburi's monkeys aren't aggressive if you leave them alone, but they're clever and very fast when it comes to food and shiny objects. Most of the trouble visitors run into comes from carrying tempting things on them. Here's what you should know.

• Don't hold a plastic bag or food bag where the monkeys can see it — they instantly link bags with snacks and will leap in to grab it. If you've got food, keep it sealed inside a closed bag.
• Take off your sunglasses, stow your phone, mind your hat — monkeys love snatching shiny things. Glasses, phones, earrings and hats can vanish with a monkey in the blink of an eye.
• Don't hold eye contact with a big male for too long — staring is a challenge in monkey language and can be read as you picking a fight.
• If a monkey climbs on you, don't swat it away or scream — stand still or slowly crouch down and let it climb off on its own. Jerking around startles the monkey and can lead to a bite or scratch.
• If a monkey grabs for something in your hand, let it go — don't tug back. A tug-of-war with a monkey risks a bitten hand; put the object down and back off rather than getting hurt.
• Don't feed them yourself outside the designated areas — it makes the monkeys aggressive toward other visitors and disrupts the town's management of the troops.

The Monkey Buffet Festival

The event that made Lopburi famous worldwide is the Monkey Buffet Festival, first held back in 1989. Enormous tables of food are laid out for thousands of monkeys to swarm in and feast on — fruit, vegetables, sticky rice, sweets and soft drinks. It's a sight photographers fly in from all over the world to shoot.

• When — held on the last Sunday of November every year. In 2026 that falls on Sunday 29 November.
• Where — around Phra Prang Sam Yot and San Phra Kan, in the heart of the old town.
• How many sittings — there are usually several feedings throughout the day, around 10 am, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm, with an opening ceremony, performances and a procession in the morning.
• Visiting on the day — it gets very crowded and the monkeys are especially worked up, so you'll need to be even more careful with your belongings. Arrive early to claim a good spot for photos.

A relaxed half-day in monkey town

The main monkey-watching spots are all close together and walkable, so half a day is plenty to cover them. Leave a little time and you can carry on to Narai's palace and the old-town cafés afterwards.