Of all the boring dinner parties you’ll attend, this is one you do not want to miss, even though the food’s not for you. In fact, the guest list doesn’t even have any humans; this is an invitation-only feast reserved for Lopburi’s population of 2,000 macaques.
The tradition started in 1989, when Yongyuth Kitwatananusont decided to thank the local monkeys for bringing him years of business at the Lopburi Inn. Monkeys have always been a subject of veneration in Hindu Asia because of Hanuman, the monkey god who rescued the kidnapped Sita, wife of Lord Rama. Today the macaques of Lopburi congregate at Phra Pang Sam Yot Temple among the ruins of the Khmer Empire.
© Koon Hong Kang | Dreamstime
Believing kindness to monkeys brings good luck, Lopburi invites their neighbors with cashews as the head chef prepares a vegetarian feast of rice, fruit salad frozen in ice blocks and thong yod, or gold egg-yolk drops,” considered one of the nine auspicious desserts of Thailand. The festival begins in the morning at 10 a.m., where locals perform music and dance numbers before a speech by the Governor of Lopburi.
The monkeys make their way toward long tables dressed with red cloth and filled with food. They are surprisingly timid, especially in front of the hundreds of people watching, but soon overcome their shyness and dig into the feast. Soon all modesty is lost and the monkeys become the life of the party, dancing on tables and flinging food and drinks at each other.
© Manit Larpluechai | Dreamstime
There is more than $15,000 worth of food on the menu, which features 20 kinds of fruit, including the flavorful and expensive durian fruit, a favorite of the monkeys. Some try to lick their way into the dishes encased in ice, while others run amongst the spectators stealing bags and wallets.
Once the monkeys have had their fill, they climb to a comfortable spot in the trees and take a nap without so much as a thank you. The townspeople don’t mind, as the feast has afforded them another year of good fortune.
Read This Next
Thai Street Foods You Must Try
Destination
Jan 27, 2015#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedSlideshow
Apr 23, 20247 Must-See Sites in Curaçao
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are seven must-see sites in Curaçao.
Sponsored Content
Experience Ireland’s
Wild Atlantic Way
From the windy tip of Malin Head in County Donegal to the colorful harbor town of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way amazes at every turn. Feel the blast of fresh sea air with a lighthouse walk. Get up close to history, grab a fireside seat at a traditional music session, experience the world-famous Irish hospitality and explore some of Ireland's most exhilarating coastal scenery. It is a place that inspired dreamers and travelers, poets and painters with a landscape filled with stone walls, thatched cottages, deserted beaches and breathtaking views. Charming towns and villages, 1,500 miles of soaring cliffs, incredible landscapes and unique experiences await.
Surveys
Apr 23, 2024Going the Distance: Which Airports Have the Longest Walks?
You’re in between flights and ready to find a coffee and your next gate and settle in. But then you find the signs to your gate and look down the impossibly long corridor and wonder how you managed to have the gate at the opposite end of the airport.
Keep Your Road Trip Smelling Good with Purggo
The last thing you want during a road trip? A stinky car. Luckily, Purggo is here to help —without filling your car with a bunch of nasty chemicals that really only just make you cough and cover up the stench for a short time.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Hotel
Apr 22, 2024Fairfield by Marriott Brand Debuts in Copenhagen
Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn recently debuted in Denmark. The opening marks the European debut of Marriott’s Fairfield by Marriott brand. The design prototype from OCCA Design Studio will be used as the blueprint for future Fairfield by Marriott properties throughout Europe.
ShareThis