Thailand's annual "monkey buffet" took place on Sunday, giving hundreds of long-tailed macaques a chance to gorge on over 2,000 kilograms of goodies. The popular event takes place every year in the town of Lopburi, 150 kilometers north of Bangkok.
Lopburi Monkey Buffet —
Thailand's annual "monkey buffet" took place on Sunday, giving hundreds of long-tailed macaques a chance to gorge on over 2,000 kilograms of goodies. The popular event takes place every year in the town of Lopburi, 150 kilometers north of Bangkok.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Lopburi is famous for the small but feisty -- and sometimes downright vicious -- long-tailed macaques that live among its ancient temples and can often be seen creating mischief in the streets.
Macaques chow down at annual monkey buffet —
Lopburi is famous for the small but feisty -- and sometimes downright vicious -- long-tailed macaques that live among its ancient temples and can often be seen creating mischief in the streets.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Every year on the last Sunday of November, these monkeys are offered a huge selection of fruits, vegetables and other treats like candy and soda. A word to the wise: don't ever get between a macaque and its lunch.
Macaques chow down at annual monkey buffet —
Every year on the last Sunday of November, these monkeys are offered a huge selection of fruits, vegetables and other treats like candy and soda. A word to the wise: don't ever get between a macaque and its lunch.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
And you thought monkeys were hyperactive already. Wait till you see them hopped up on caffeine. Not a pretty sight, we assure you.
Macaques chow down at annual monkey buffet —
And you thought monkeys were hyperactive already. Wait till you see them hopped up on caffeine. Not a pretty sight, we assure you.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
The Thai version of the Ramayana legend claims that Rama created the ancient city of Lopburi with the help of his friend Hanuman the Monkey King. Many of Lopburi's residents consider the macaques descendants of Hanuman, hence this monkey feast is held in their honor -- and to promote tourism.
Me so hungry —
The Thai version of the Ramayana legend claims that Rama created the ancient city of Lopburi with the help of his friend Hanuman the Monkey King. Many of Lopburi's residents consider the macaques descendants of Hanuman, hence this monkey feast is held in their honor -- and to promote tourism.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Image
"Now that's what I call high quality H2O."
Water break —
"Now that's what I call high quality H2O."
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
A long-tailed macaque cools off with a block of ice.
Refreshing —
A long-tailed macaque cools off with a block of ice.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images
Though the monkeys are quick to indulge in the buffet, unfortunately most of them suffer from a severe lack of table manners.
Macaques chow down at annual monkey buffet —
Though the monkeys are quick to indulge in the buffet, unfortunately most of them suffer from a severe lack of table manners.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Image
Monkey statues dressed in fancy suits hold trays filled with treats for Lopburi's resident primates. Thousands of people come to Lopburi every year to check out the monkey buffet in person.
Macaques chow down at annual monkey buffet —
Monkey statues dressed in fancy suits hold trays filled with treats for Lopburi's resident primates. Thousands of people come to Lopburi every year to check out the monkey buffet in person.
PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/AFP/Getty Images