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.
Nitchai said that usually the monkeys forage for food in the forest, but feeding by tourists has spoiled their habit and turned some of them aggressive and attack tourists or steal food from food stalls.
He blamed some tour guides of not explaining to tourists, especially foreign tourists, about the negative consequences from feeding the monkeys.
He hopes the introduction of fine would help discourage the feeding practice.
Tourists told they will face 500-baht fine if they feed monkeys in Koh Chang - Thai PBS English News