Monkey Buffet Festival

When: Last Sunday of November each year.

Where: Lopburi, Thailand - held around Phra Prang Sam Yot and the old town near King Narai’s Palace.

Cost: Free to watch; expect modest costs for market snacks, donations and guided tourist packages.

Don’t miss: The giant fruit banquet at Phra Prang Sam Yot where scores of macaques raid elaborately laid tables.

Lopburi’s Monkey Buffet Festival is a one-day event that celebrates the city’s resident long-tailed macaques by providing a vast public feast of fruit, vegetables and sweets laid out on long tables around the historic centre. It was popularised by local businesses and community groups as both a thank-you to the animals and a draw for visitors.

The atmosphere is loud, colourful and a little chaotic: merchants, residents and tourism staff arrange towering platters while macaques clamber over the tables, snatch treats and amuse crowds. The main action takes place at the Khmer-style temple Phra Prang Sam Yot and the surrounding streets and historic sites, where photographers, families and vendors gather throughout the day.

The festival falls on the last Sunday of November each year and is not tied to a lunar calendar, so the exact date moves within the month but remains predictable. Expect the city to prepare the night before; feeding and the busiest spectacle typically begin in the morning and continue through midafternoon, with the largest crowds around mid-morning to noon.

The closest international gateways are Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK); Lopburi lies roughly 150 km north of Bangkok and is reached by car or regular trains from Bangkok in about 2 - 3 hours depending on service. Trains and minivans run from central Bangkok to Lopburi; arrive at least a day early and book accommodation and return transport well in advance.

• Lopburi’s macaques are quick and bold: keep bags, cameras and food secured as monkeys will snatch loose items.
• Do not try to hand-feed or touch the monkeys; avoid direct eye contact and never corner an animal - bites and scratches can happen and need prompt medical attention.
• Dress for dry-season sun: lightweight clothing, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes for walking on uneven temple grounds.
• November is generally dry and warm by day but cooler in the morning; bring water, a light layer for early starts and insect repellent for evening.
• Carry cash for local food stalls and small purchases - some vendors do not accept cards - and book hotels and trains early because rooms sell out quickly for the festival weekend.
• For photos bring a zoom lens to capture close-up action without approaching animals; avoid flash and distracting sudden movements.