Of all the food celebrations around the world, there’s none other as bizarre as this. The Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand is exactly what it sounds as an all you can eat buffet for monkeys!
So let’s find out how you can reserve a table for yourself! LOL – just kidding.
As you will find out in any event travel guide such as the Events and Festivals Blog, when it comes to festivals and events in Thailand, things are more than a little bit ordinary.
We’re talking about the country famous for its ladyboy shows and phallic temples, so in comparison, a monkey buffet festival seems quite tame!
What’s most interesting about this event is that it has absolutely no cultural or religious significance. Instead, the festival is held purely for the purpose of boosting the tourism industry in the little town of Lopburi northeast of Thailand’s capital Bangkok.
It was established in the year 1989 spearheaded by a local businessman. However, there is a religious significance to monkeys being the invited of the buffet, and that is because according to folklore, the town of Lopburi was discovered by the great monkey god Hanuman.
The people of Lopburi believe that the little monkeys sitting down for the buffet are the descendants of Hanuman.
How can you join in all the fun? The festival takes place every year on the 25th of November at the ancient temple of Phra Prang Sam Yod in Lopburi.
You will need to buy a ticket at the temple entrance which is priced at 30 Baht (0.87 USD). Along with the ticket, you will be given sticks which can be used to ward off the most mischievous of monkeys who are known to snatch wallets and in some cases defecating to unsuspected pedestrians- so better watch out.
There is an amusement park close by where you can buy snacks to lay out on the buffet.
It’s not necessary for you to buy the snacks as the ‘buffet tables’ will anyways feature about 2000 kilograms of food ranging from nuts, cabbage, and a variety of fruits such as bananas, watermelons, pineapples, and more!
All you need to do is to sit and eat you silly monkey! Again just kidding, ROFL!
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+
