Lopburi Monkey Banquet

โต๊ะจีนลิงลพบุรี

View on map
UniqueLopburi
DatesDates TBA · Usually NovemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesLopburi's festival inverts the usual
LanguageThaiCurrency: THB
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Lopburi Monkey Banquet in Lopburi

The Lopburi Monkey Banquet, known officially as the Monkey Buffet Festival, is an annual event at the Phra Prang Sam Yod temple where locals lay out fruit, vegetables and other food for Lopburi's resident population of crab-eating macaques, now numbering in the thousands, drawing curious visitors from across Thailand.

The Lopburi Monkey Banquet, more formally the Monkey Buffet Festival, centers on a population of crab-eating macaques that has lived around the ancient Khmer temple complex of Phra Prang Sam Yod, in Lopburi province north of Bangkok, for generations.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Lopburi's festival inverts the usual human-animal festival dynamic by making thousands of wild macaques the guests of honor: since at least 2007, organizers have spread elaborate buffet spreads, including fresh produce embedded in blocks of ice, for the monkeys living around the ancient Khmer temple ruins of Phra Prang Sam Yod

02

The mystery stays covered

British newspaper The Guardian once listed it among the world's strangest festivals alongside Spain's baby-jumping festival, and by 2024 the monkey population had grown to roughly 3,000, creating real tension with residents over food theft and property damage that the festival's playful premise now sits alongside

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival is a modern civic tradition rather than an ancient ritual

Water and renewal

Living ritual

built around Lopburi's genuine cultural relationship with its resident macaque population

The sacred route

Living ritual

which many residents regard with a mix of affection and frustration as the city has long tied its tourism identity to the animals living among its historic Khmer ruins

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually November

Getting around

For Lopburi Monkey Banquet, plan transport around the exact Lopburi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Practical, secure clothing without dangling jewelry, sunglasses or bags that macaques may try to grab; closed shoes and clothing you don't mind getting dirty are sensible given the animals'...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Lopburi Monkey Banquet, stay near the part of Lopburi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

THB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map14.80 N, 100.65 EOpen in Google Maps

Lopburi, Lopburi, Thailand

Nearest airportDMK — Don Mueang
TransportFor Lopburi Monkey Banquet, plan transport around the exact Lopburi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Lopburi Monkey Banquet, stay near the part of Lopburi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Lopburi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Lopburi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearPractical, secure clothing without dangling jewelry, sunglasses or bags that macaques may try to grab; closed shoes and clothing you don't mind getting dirty are sensible given the animals' close proximity.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Thailand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Lopburi Monkey Banquet?

Lopburi Monkey Banquet is listed for November. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Lopburi Monkey Banquet take place?

The festival is listed in Lopburi, Thailand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Lopburi, Lopburi, Thailand

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLthailandnow.in.th
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually November
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Dubai Shopping Festival

Multiple months · Winter

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Photo pending

Choregies d'Orange

Multiple months · Summer

Orange, France
Photo pending

Boryeong Mud Festival

24 July–9 August 2026

Boryeong, South Korea
Photo pending

Taiwan Lantern Festival

Past edition: 3–15 March 2026

Taibao/Chiayi, Taiwan

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →