Lopburi, in central Thailand, is already famous for its Khmer temple crowded with monkeys, but every year in November the whole town goes ape when visitors from Thailand and beyond come to watch 2,000 macaques feast on a lavish buffet laid out in their honour during the Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand. Why is the Monkey Buffet Festival Celebrated? Long-tailed macaques are the most famous inhabitants of the Thai town of Lopburi where hundreds of them roam freely amongst locals and visitors. According to the Thai version of the Hindu epic Ramayana, the deity Lord Rama built the old town of Lopburi with the help of his friend Lord Hanuman, a deity that looks like a monkey. As most of the town’s macaques live in and around the ancient temples, some of Lopburi’s residents consider them as holy animals and descendants of Hanuman. Despite their antics such as biting through utility cables, the monkeys are fed throughout the year by local inhabitants in the belief that it will bring good fortune to Lopburi and its residents. It is believed that feeding the monkeys brings good luck to Lopburi. Photo by Adam Baker. The Monkey Buffet Festival History In order to lend a hand to that elusive good fortune, the first Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand was organised in 1989 by a local Thai businessman to attract more tourists to the town. It worked, as the festival with the monkeys’ antics has grown into an important attraction for the local population, as well as Thai and international visitors. Activities include dances, live performances and, of course, a lavish monkey tea party where the animals are spoiled with two tonnes of food, including bananas, cucumbers, eggs, sweets and soft drinks. The Monkey Buffet Festival attracts many visitors to Lopburi. Photo by TAT. Where is the Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand? Lopburi is located some 150 kilometres north of Bangkok, and the buffet and its impressive fruit towers are located near the historical Khmer ruins and the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. You can go there on a day trip from Bangkok by train or bus, but if you intend to stay overnight during the festival then you better book your accommodation in advance. Heading to Thailand in spring? Check out Songkran or Thai New Year. The Lopburi Monkey Buffet Festival may not be every traveller’s cup of tea – the town’s macaques are very used to humans and to being fed. They’re bold and won’t hesitate to snatch away your bag or food if you don’t pay attention. However, if you take enough precautions against it then watching the animals stuff themselves is quite a sight to behold, even with a monkey on your back – literally. Naughty monkey. Photo by Max Pfandl. Lopburi is more than just the Monkey Buffet Festival Dating back more than 1,000 years, Lopburi is one of Thailand’s oldest towns and worth a visit for its own sake. Even Marco Polo described it in his travel accounts, when the town was still known as Lavapura. First time visitor to Thailand? Download our free Essential Thailand Travel Guide to get up to date with all the essentials. When the Khmer empire ruled Lavapura during the 11 th century, they constructed several important buildings. The historical Khmer temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot and the Khmer holy shrine Sarn Phra Karn are splendid icons of those ancient times. The structure contains three prangs or tower-like spires that represent the Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Later it became recognised as a Buddhist shrine. The historical Khmer Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. Photo by Pierluigi Peperoni. When does the Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand take place? The festival is held every year on the last Sunday of November which is the 29 in 2026. Usually there are four banquets that day which take place at four different times, at 10am, 12am, 2pm and 4pm after an official opening ceremony. Thailand Monkey Buffet Festival Information For more information on the Monkey Buffet Festival Lopburi Thailand, click here . Hotels in Lopburi Book well in advance. For more travel ideas in Thailand Browse the official website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand . Cover image by Diwerent

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