Report Thai Coconut Industry Ends Monkey Labour to Win Back Trust

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a bold move to restore international confidence and safeguard local livelihoods, the Thai Coconut Industry Group has joined forces with the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT). This partnership aims to tackle longstanding concerns over the use of monkey labour in coconut harvesting—a pressing issue affecting Thailand's significant coconut export market.

 

As one of the world's top coconut producers, Thailand generates over 25 billion baht annually, supporting 300,000 farming households. However, reports of monkeys being used for coconut picking have drawn heavy criticism from animal rights groups and ethical consumers worldwide. This has led to threats and actual boycotts from prominent European and North American retailers, causing a financial loss estimated at 2 billion baht each year.

 

Industry-Wide Reform to Rebuild Trust

 

In response, major producers such as Asiatic Agro Industry, Suree Interfoods, Thai Coconut Public Company Limited, and Theppadungporn Coconut united to form the Thai Coconut Industry Group. Their mission is clear: to uphold ethical sourcing and sustainability while maintaining competitive advantage.

 

A crucial step was taken on 27 March 2025, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WFFT. This marks the first formal industry-wide commitment to abolish monkey labour. The agreement includes funding for the long-term care of monkeys previously used in the industry, and there is active advocacy for legislation to ban the practice nationwide.

 

Modernisation and Sustainable Harvesting

 

The Group is pushing forward with modern and sustainable harvesting practices. This includes developing hybrid and dwarf coconut varieties for easier harvesting without animals and investing in mechanised technology to enhance efficiency.

 

"Our members are already rejecting monkey labour, using traceability systems, and promoting ethical farming," stated the Group. "This shift is vital—not just for animal welfare but for the industry’s sustainable future."

 

Global Support and Government Action

 

Gaining momentum, the initiative is supported by global companies like McCormick & Company and Merit Food Products, which are backing programmes for rescued monkeys. Mahidol University’s veterinary experts are also involved, ensuring best practices in animal care.

 

Edwin Wiek, founder of WFFT, expressed optimism: "This partnership is pivotal. Together, we can set a new global standard for ethical coconut sourcing."

The Group urges the Thai government to enforce legislation that bans monkey labour and implements strong traceability systems to guarantee ethical standards—reassuring international customers of the industry’s transparency.

 

Looking Ahead

 

The Thai Coconut Industry Group views these changes as more than just a reaction to global demands. They signify a transformative movement towards responsible and humane coconut farming.

 

"This is a step towards a future where Thai coconut farming is defined by ethical and sustainable practices," the Group concluded, emphasizing their commitment to protecting both the industry’s reputation and the livelihoods of Thai farmers.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-08

 

 

[Will B Good]

Pay peanuts......

[still kicking]

4 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Pay peanuts......

Get politition .......oh wait.

[newbee2022]

I can understand the reasons.

However it looks amazing when the monkeys (very precious and expensive) are climbing up the palm trees and do their work 🙏

[JimHuaHin]

I will believe it when I do not see it.

[ricklev]

I am generally all in favor of ending the mistreatment of animals, however, I focking hate monkeys.  Screw them.  

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Pay peanuts......

 

[ignore it]

In related news, A delegation of simian coconut harvesters arrived in Brussels this week to address European consumer groups, declaring: 'We are proud simian professionals, not exploited primates—stop trying to cancel our coconuts!

[quake]

All them monkeys with out a job now.

What they going to do now, move to pattaya and 

Go out on the rob.

 

[Gsxrnz]

Eventually we'll become so politically correct that having a seeing eye dog or a sheep dog will be considered as animal cruelty. There is no limit to the lunacy of the self righteous social justice fanatics. 

[Unamerican]

Did anyone even consult the simian workers about this change? 

[save the frogs]

how many human beings have crappy jobs and poor working conditions?

and not to mention dangerous occupations. 

it might even be good exercise for the monkeys, as long as you don't work them 16 hours a day. 

 

 

[Purdey]

Monkeys love to climb trees. Throwing coconuts at the people below is part of their fun. Leave them alone.

[BKKBike09]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In response, major producers such as Asiatic Agro Industry, Suree Interfoods, Thai Coconut Public Company Limited, and Theppadungporn Coconut united to form the Thai Coconut Industry Group. Their mission is clear: to uphold ethical sourcing and sustainability while maintaining competitive advantage.

 

Modernisation and Sustainable Harvesting

 

The Group is pushing forward with modern and sustainable harvesting practices. This includes developing hybrid and dwarf coconut varieties for easier harvesting without animals and investing in mechanised technology to enhance efficiency.

 

"Our members are already rejecting monkey labour, using traceability systems, and promoting ethical farming," stated the Group. "This shift is vital—not just for animal welfare but for the industry’s sustainable future."

 

In other words a number of large corporates have set up an industry group that will operate to maintain their market position using mechanisation and high-investment new crop trees, all at the expense of the little guy with the monkey.

 

What's next: it's 'cruel' to use a buffalo to pull a plough?

 

 

 

 

 

[Grumpy one]

How will the monkeys earn a living now, will they be the next politicians we see

[JonnyF]

As long as the monkeys are treated properly when they finish their shift I see no issue with the practice.

 

No different to a sheepdog or a sniffer dog. 

 

I'd much rather live as a tree climbing coconut collecting monkey than a battery hen.

[baansgr]

Is there no corner of the Earth where wokey, leftist retards can't let alone

[newbee2022]

2 hours ago, quake said:

All them monkeys with out a job now.

What they going to do now, move to pattaya and 

Go out on the rob.

 

They will mingle with all these other monkeys there

[quake]

Just now, newbee2022 said:

They will mingle with all these other monkeys there

 

We call them locals now days. 

[redwood1]

I agree the monkeys should retire...

 

and be replaced by this nosy pushy bunch of environmental green tard Karens....

I think this group would do a outstanding job climbing trees and picking coconuts..... 

 

[newbee2022]

Just now, quake said:

 

We call them locals now days. 

Some are legal migrants 😂

[MalcolmB]

It was cruel for the Thais to send monkeys up trees. Dangerous also, they could have fallen and died.

 

So now they will just the Burmese to do it instead.

 

Save the monkeys.

[spidermike007]

Stop trying to make the monkeys as useless as the politicians! It was a big mistake to get the Monkey Union involved. They are unfair negotiators. 

[BKKBike09]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a bold move to restore international confidence and safeguard local livelihoods, the Thai Coconut Industry Group has joined forces with the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT). This partnership aims to tackle longstanding concerns over the use of monkey labour in coconut harvesting—a pressing issue affecting Thailand's significant coconut export market.

Another thing - what they don't say here is that confidence in Thai coconut water exports has been much more heavily damaged by claims of 'organic certification': it's been well documented that Thailand exports far more coconut water than could possibly be produced by the plantation area that has been formally certified as 'organic' to the stringent standards this requires in the West.

 

That is one area where large-scale producers have an edge: supply chain traceability and accountability is much easier than when sourcing from "300,000 farming households", many of whom are probably using chemical insecticides and fertilisers left right and centre.

[simon43]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

Monkeys love to climb trees. Throwing coconuts at the people below is part of their fun. Leave them alone.

It's OK - they will use Burmese instead to climb the trees.....

[portisaacozzy]

2 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

In other words a number of large corporates have set up an industry group that will operate to maintain their market position using mechanisation and high-investment new crop trees, all at the expense of the little guy with the monkey.

 

What's next: it's 'cruel' to use a buffalo to pull a plough?

 

 

 

 

 

it should be,the nomber of sick buffalo in our family is increasing at an alarming rate

[daveAustin]

4 hours ago, ricklev said:

I am generally all in favor of ending the mistreatment of animals, however, I focking hate monkeys.  Screw them.  

😂

They are b’stards like, chimps too, and getting up in the trees to do some work is better than them hanging around in gangs terrorising people and wrecking property. They create havoc in Lopburi, Krabi, Songkhla and other places they’re allowed to congregate. 
 

Of the ones I’ve seen go up in trees for coconuts and fruits, they are well treated and fed and seem to enjoy it, being foragers and innate climbers. But as soon as the do-gooder types get a whiff of it, they scream exploitation. Total morons. The only monkeys in this case are the politicians screwing with peoples’ and animals’ lives. F off and do some real good by addressing the smoking vehicles transporting the coconuts!

[Sandboxer]

Nice of them to include one monkey in the photo op.

[PETERTHEEATER]

2 hours ago, simon43 said:

It's OK - they will use Burmese instead to climb the trees.....

Beware inadequate training......

 

[grain]

Now start on those fkn dogs the customs use at airports. That'll be a good one for the WFFT to take on next. 😁