Enjoy One Of Thailand’s Most Unusual Festivals: Lopburi Monkey Banquet!

A little bit of history

Monkeys feature prominently in Thai legends, with one of the most famous monkeys, Hanuman, said to have descended from the Lopburi troop. In Hindu beliefs Hanuman was a hero and a God who was a central figure in the Ramayana, in Thai folklore Hanuman is said to have been created by the Hindu God, Shiva. Lopburi was presented to the Thai Hanuman for being a strong and devoted fighter.

Today, monkeys are seen as symbols of good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Thailand.

Despite the myths and legends surrounding the Lopburi monkeys, the Monkey Banquet is a fairly new festival, having begun in 2007. Sponsored by the Lopburi Inn Hotel, the festival is to pay respects to the Monkey God and all monkeys in general, to thank the local monkeys for bringing prosperity to the town, and also to draw in tourists.

Monkey mayhem!

Food for the Monkey Banquet is donated by local individuals and businesses with the belief that it will further improve their good fortunes.

Fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, boiled eggs, bottles of water, and even cartons and cans of juice are offered to the monkeys. Used to stealing from innocent passers-by, the dexterous creatures have no problems at all opening containers!

The veritable feast is lovingly set out on big tables within the monkey’s favourite haunt, ready for the party to begin. The monkeys grab, shove, snatch, and clamber their way to get to their favourites, crudely tossing what they don’t fancy on the floor. Plates are overturned, food is gobbled, drinks are gulped and spilled, and the monkeys enjoy the feeling of a really full belly!

Fun and games in the grounds of a historic temple

The main focus of the festival is within the grounds of Phra Prang Sam Yod, an ancient Khmer-style temple at the heart of the old Siamese capital. The usual air of peace and tranquility is replaced with a raucous atmosphere of fun for the day, with competitions, dance shows, singing, and short plays.

Just outside the main entrance, the pavement is lined with street vendors serving up an assortment of tasty Thai food. The oil spits and the grills smoke, as the delicious aromas float through the air. And, unlike regular days, visitors can enjoy their food in relative peace without the fear of naughty monkeys just waiting to pounce!

Monkeys, monkeys, everywhere!

The town goes all out in decorating the area with a wonderful assortment of monkey memorabilia. Stuffed toy monkeys in all shapes and sizes are crammed into a display, an archway decorated with fruits and vegetables announces the occasion, a large tower is topped with food, just waiting for curious monkeys to clamber up and get their fill, and there are monkey statues in numerous interesting poses.

Big statues stand in front of the temple, whilst many smaller statues are scattered around within the complex. Some statues hold trays, which are piled high with delectable goodies for the furry residents.

Vendors sell a selection of monkey-related gifts and souvenirs, so if you’ve ever wanted a monkey fridge magnet, a shrieking toy monkey, a clockwork monkey, a monkey handbag, monkey branded confectionary, or more, here’s your chance!

Other local things to do and see

The town is home to several interesting ancient ruins and temples, as well as a great museum and a beautiful lake. As the festival falls in the cool season, this is also the perfect time to go and see the vibrant fields of sunflowers in bloom. You will need to ask around, however, to find out which fields are actually open as the growing area is huge!