Monkey Cave, Phang Nga, Thailand

Phuket is home to a wide range of wild lives both on shore and in the surrounding oceans. One group of animals we did not anticipate on seeing was monkeys. We stopped by these monkeys sanctuary on our way to a day of white water rafting in the mountains of Phang Nga.

The monkeys were visible as soon as we stepped out of the caravan, just outside the entrance to Suwankuha Temple (Monkey Cave). Upon closer look, there must be over two hundreds of these furry guys mingling about.


For those who want to get up close and personal with the monkeys, you can purchase a handful of bananas for some feeding fun. It’s not everyday you get a chance to feed a herd of wild monkeys in their own habitat without any cages or fences, and this proved to be too much temptation for Nick. With the bananas in hand, Nick approached the monkeys with much enthusiasm. All of the sudden, he was swarmed by a group of even more enthusiastic monkeys determined to get a piece of those delicious treats in his hand. There were tribe elders coming from their hiding places up in the hill, little cute ones playfully jumping around, and even mother monkeys with little babies hanging on to the mother. It wasn’t long until one of monkeys figured out where his blind spot is, and before you know it, he’s got Nick’s Bananas in his hand and more pandemonium ensues with monkeys all over focusing their attention squarely on the monkey with the loot.

It wasn’t what we expected to see, but it was truly amusing encounter that we will not soon forget.