Officials visit ‘monkey island’

On June 21, 80 monkeys were released on the 26-rai island off the coast of Phuket.

Pongchart Chouehorm, the director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre, and his team took fruit for the monkeys. 
Pongchart said: “We were patrolling along beaches for about two to three hours. About 30 monkeys were seen around the island and appeared to be in good health.”
They also visited Khao Rang, a popular tourist spot overlooking Phuket Town. Monkeys have been gathering at the top of the hill around dusk for decades and have become more popular with tourists in recent years. They have also been known to be mischievous and steal food and phones.

Pongchart said: “The Phuket City Municipality has provided monkey-feeding zones. When these monkeys are being fed, they will not disturb the tourists at the top car park. It is possible that monkeys visiting the hill will be moved to the monkey-feeding zone and later ‘trained’ back into the forest.”

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/officials-visit-monkey-island-signs-placed-for-new-monkey-feeding-zone-on-khao-rang