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Thailand Monkeys Given a Massive Feast

Tuesday, December 01, 2009 BANGKOK: Monkeying around in Thailand and for once, these primates aren't stealing the food. Instead they are honoured guests at this annual monkey feast in Lopburi.Platefuls of colourful food, delicious enough for human consumption, are given to the city's most famous residents. The monkey buffet is staged at sacred Khmer ruins and honours the place the long-tailed macaques hold in Thai legend. A giant tower of fruit, vegetables and assorted Thai deserts formed the centrepiece of the mass celebration. There wasn't any champagne but Pepsi seemed just fine. All this monkey business is big business in Lopburi, with the event bringing in thousands of visitors every year. Monkeys are a both a bane and a blessing in the city. The thousands of naughty, greedy animals are given free rein and often cause havoc.

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