The 2024 Annual Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi continues to captivate global tourists and media. Held on November 24, the event featured a vibrant atmosphere with food and fruit spreads, including durians and exotic imports, totaling over two tons across 18 dishes. This year, however, part of the event was relocated to the Monkey Rehabilitation Center at Pho Kao Ton, housing seven enclosures, due to efforts to control the monkey population. Over 2,000 aggressive monkeys had been relocated from areas such as Phra Prang Sam Yot.
Though fewer monkeys remained near the iconic Phra Prang Sam Yot, the relocated monkeys at the center enjoyed their feast, with food brought directly to their enclosures. To ensure quality, local officials, including the Deputy Governor and event sponsor Sia Yee, personally inspected and tasted the fruit before serving.
The highlight of the festival included monkeys eagerly devouring their meals amidst cheers and camera flashes from tourists and journalists, creating lively and memorable scenes. The event, traditionally held on the last Sunday of November, featured four rounds of feeding this year, scheduled at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.