Tourists told they will face 500-baht fine if they feed monkeys in Koh Chang

 

 

KOH CHANG: -- Tourists visiting Koh Chang in Trat province are warned not to feed long-tailed macaque or they will face a fine of 500 baht each.

 

Mr Nitchai Pandet, chief of the conservation department of Koh Chang national park, said Tuesday that the 500-baht fine was introduced after it was discovered that the warning against feeding the wild monkeys has been ignored by many tourists who stop by the roadside and feed the monkeys.

 

Signboards written in both Thai and English warning tourists to not feed the long-tailed macque have been put up on several spots on the island where the beasts venture out of the forest and gather on the road waiting for food.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tourists-told-will-face-500-baht-fine-feed-monkeys-koh-chang/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-01-10

4 hours ago, webfact said:

they will face a fine of 500 baht each.

Will this be subjected to dual Thai-foreigner pricing?

Should be the same fine for feeding soi dogs anywhere.

But good move with the monkeys at least.

Monkeys,by their nature are very social animals.They are entertaining to watch and are wonderful to watch with their young.However these are wild animals and are therefore very dangerous and can cause serious injuries to humans,who are unaware. Most animals have a natural fear of man.By feeding these animals,their fear of man is reduced,and that is where the the trouble starts.Its the same in the the states with the alligators and crocodiles. There is a long stretch of road in florida which is fenced off,to prevent any of the creatures from getting on to the highway and,of course attacking people.If tourists feed them,then the same loss of fear substantiates itself. But they still do.You cannot blame an animal for obeying its natural instincts,if they are carnivorous they will continue to be so ,whether in captivity or not,hence the two keepers that were attacked and killed at Aspinals zoo. The keepers misread the body language of the Tigers,which the keepers had been caring for,for years.The tigers attacked and killed them on seperate occasions.But the animals were shot.Its a shame that an animal is punished for obeying its natural instincts.But it happens.i think in this case the fine should be 2000 baht if not more.These monkeys are natures inhabitants of this island,and should not be put at risk by idiots who are just out for fun.Wait till a tourist,or one of their kids loses a hand or is badly injured,Then watch them bleat.,blaming the animal.

About time this was done, there are signs everywhere, but it doesn't stop idiot tourist feeding them. There are a number of spots on the road where these clowns feed them, personally 500 baht is to low, should be 5,000 and 15 lashes of a cane

500thb is absolutely no deterrent to a western tourist. 10,000thb  (minimum) should make them take note. Paid in front of the media as extra shame for being so irresponsible in the first place (Also so that nobody can pocket the cash) Finally, put the money to good use within the National Park.

 

12 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Should be the same fine for feeding soi dogs anywhere.

But good move with the monkeys at least.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the soi dogs comment.

 

 

Exactly, stop the locals from selling food and the problem goes away.

 

BTW I didn't give the previous poster the benefit of the doubt, he's a racist troll.

Troll post and replies removed.

 

10 hours ago, Cockwomble said:

About time this was done, there are signs everywhere, but it doesn't stop idiot tourist feeding them. There are a number of spots on the road where these clowns feed them, personally 500 baht is to low, should be 5,000 and 15 lashes of a cane

 

And, don't forget heavy pointing as well

Off topic posts about feeding soi dogs have been removed