Monkey Party

Posted by admin on November 13th, 2009 filed in Culture & customs, Expat life, Living here, Nightlife, People, The North, Top attractions, Travel destinations, Uncategorized, Understanding Thais, Up Country, Visiting

There is no point aping the locals when the 21st Monkey Party takes place on November 29.

Started by a local businessman, this bizarre bash happens every year in the historic town of Lopburi, around 150km from Bangkok.

The event’s organiser was originally worried about the health of the town population of pagoda-dwelling monkeys, and also wanted a gimmick to bring in tourists. He felt as it once played a prominent role in the country’s politics during the 17th century, there is no reason the town shouldn’t be popular again today.

So now the monkeys get a chance to wander the town’s old centre and feast on a vast buffet of the finest Chinese cuisine available in the vicinity. Whether anyone has thought to offer them a Tikka Masala is not currently know. The millennia-old city was once Thailand’s second capital.

In 1666, the same year as the Great Fire of London, King Narai the Great constructed a summer palace here and spent around eight months every year in the town.

And if watching primates throw chow mien at each other isn’t incentive enough, those in attendance also get the pleasure of seeing a scoop of baffled international journalists vying for the best shot of the silliest story of the year. The event is hosted by Lopburi Inn Group.

Call Lopburi Inn Hotel at 036 412 300 or Email: monkey@lopburiinnresort.com and monkeypartys@yahoo.com.