A Divine Tribute to Hanuman’s Army
Lopburi is one of Thailand's oldest provincial capitals, steeped in the Ramakien (the Thai epic based on the Hindu Ramayana). According to epic folklore, the monkey deity Hanuman helped Prince Rama rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Totsakan. In gratitude, Rama shot an arrow into the air and promised to build a city wherever it landed—which became Lopburi.
Consequently, the thousands of crab-eating macaques that inhabit the city's ancient Khmer temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot are viewed as descendants of Hanuman's army, bringing good fortune and commercial prosperity to the township.
The Modern Creation of the Festival
In 1989, local hotelier Yongyuth Kitwatanusont conceived the idea of creating a formal, Michelin-style banquet dedicated exclusively to the monkeys. The inaugural feast featured tables covered with red satin cloths, ice-carved swans filled with dragonfruit, durian, mangoes, and traditional Thai jelly sweets.
Today, the celebration takes place four times throughout the last Sunday of November (at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM). Human chefs prepare elaborate fruit towers and cakes, which the primates gleefully demolish within minutes, leaping from temple spires onto banquet tables and into the hair of awestruck spectators.
Primate Etiquette & Safety Protocols
- Secure All Shiny Objects: Macaques are notorious pickpockets who target sunglasses, jewelry, hair ties, and mobile phone cases.
- Do Not Play Tug-of-War: If a monkey grabs your beverage or food item, let go immediately to prevent defensive bite marks.
- Avoid Direct Staring: Prolonged eye contact is perceived as aggressive intimidation in macaque social hierarchy.
Official Travel Links
Lopburi is easily accessible by train from Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (approx. 2 hours).