A six-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a pet monkey that was tethered beside a family home in Sichon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The child suffered severe injuries to his chest, lung and leg, and later died in hospital.
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The incident occurred on the morning of 6 June 2026 at Ban Khao Yuan Thao village, Moo 4, Thep Ratcha subdistrict, Sichon district. Police were alerted to the attack by investigators from Sichon Police Station after reports that a child had been seriously injured by a monkey.
The victim was identified as Dek Chai Ekkarat, known as Nathan, aged six. He was a pupil at Ban Khao Yuan Thao School. Following the attack, he was rushed to Sichon Hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
According to information gathered at the scene, the attack took place at a village grocery shop owned by the boy’s grandfather, Mr Charoon. The grandfather had kept the monkey for several years, having raised it since it was a young animal.
The monkey was reportedly not used for coconut harvesting and was kept as a pet. It was tethered beside the house using a long rope attached between two trees, with a wooden beam installed between them to allow the animal to move and play within the confined area.
Investigators were told that Nathan walked past the monkey on the morning of the incident and was not aware of the danger. The monkey then reportedly lunged at him, biting him and causing fatal injuries.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
The incident has shocked the local community, where the monkey had been kept for many years. Authorities were informed of the circumstances surrounding the attack and began documenting the case.
Authorities reported that the monkey remains tethered at the same location where the attack occurred. No further action regarding the animal was yet reported by authorities, as the investigation continues.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 8 June 2026