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Wildlife

Where to See Monkeys

Thailand’s macaques are cheeky, clever, and everywhere from temple towns to island beaches. Here is where to find them, and how to keep the encounter fun and safe.

Crab-eating macaques gathered on the Khmer prasat towers in Lopburi
Crab-eating macaques gathered on the Khmer prasat towers in Lopburi
Belle
Thai American who travels to Thailand every other year
Where to find them

Thailand’s Monkey Hotspots

Lopburi · Central

The monkey city

Crab-eating macaques rule the old town and the Khmer temple Phra Prang Sam Yot. An easy train day trip from Bangkok, and home to the November Monkey Buffet Festival.

Krabi · Andaman

Railay & Phra Nang

Long-tailed macaques work the cliffs and beaches around Railay. Keep food out of sight. Krabi guide.

Phi Phi · Andaman

Monkey Beach

A short longtail hop from Tonsai to a cove named for its resident troop. Koh Phi Phi guide.

Prachuap · Gulf

Monkey Mountain

Khao Chong Krajok: climb the temple hill past dozens of monkeys for a sweeping view over Prachuap bay.

Watch yourself

The Rules Around Monkeys

Macaques are wild, bold, and quick. A few habits keep everyone safe and keep them wild.

Do not feed them. It makes them bolder and more aggressive, and it is banned in many spots.
Keep food, drinks, and plastic bags out of sight. They know what a bag means and will grab it.
Hold onto sunglasses, phones, and hats. Anything loose can be snatched in a blink.
Avoid direct eye contact and never smile with your teeth. Bared teeth read as a threat.
Keep your distance and never touch or pick up a baby. Mothers defend them instantly.
If you are bitten or scratched, wash it well and see a doctor. Rabies is a real risk, so do not wait.
Keep reading

More First-Timer Guides

Destination

Krabi

Cliffs, beaches, and the macaques of Railay and Phra Nang.

Explore Krabi →
Islands

Koh Phi Phi

Monkey Beach, viewpoints, and the boat trips worth taking.

See Phi Phi →
Animals

Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries

The other must-do animal encounter, done the right way.

Do it ethically →
About this guide

Written by Belle, a Thai American who travels to Thailand every other year and has family in Bangkok. Everything here comes from my own visits unless the text says otherwise. Prices and journey times are typical cases rather than quotes, so recheck anything time-sensitive before you pay. Brand mentions are never paid placements, and the guide is reader-supported: some links may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

How we research →
Photo credits

Photographs on this page that are not mine are used under the licenses below and hosted on this site rather than hotlinked. Uncredited photographs are my own.

  • Crab-eating macaques gathered on the Khmer prasat towers in LopburiAdam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. View source (opens in a new tab)