Monkeys

Hua Hin has a large and confident population of long-tailed macaques, and the place you are most likely to meet them is Khao Takiab — Monkey Mountain — at the southern end of the beach. They are a genuine attraction and a genuine nuisance in equal measure.

They are not pets, and they are not afraid of you

These are wild animals that have learned humans carry food. A macaque will assess whether you are worth approaching, and a small woman with a plastic bag is a far more likely target than a large man with empty hands. They can and do bite.

• Do not feed them. It is the single cause of every problem here. Feeding creates animals that mob the next visitor.
• Do not carry visible food or a plastic bag. A rustling bag reads as lunch.
• Hold your phone and sunglasses. Both get taken, and neither comes back.
• Do not stare or bare your teeth. Direct eye contact and a grin are both threats in monkey.
• Do not run. Back away calmly; running invites a chase.
• Keep small children close and do not let them hold food.

Seeing them without the hassle

Go early, keep your bag zipped and in front of you, and enjoy them from a few metres away. The temple and the viewpoint at Khao Takiab are worth the trip regardless — the monkeys are simply part of the deal.

See our Hua Hin day tours