A senior citizen was fatally attacked by a wild monkey that mauled him to death while he tried to fend it off inside his residence. The incident occurred in Yala, a southern province of Thailand, where Chaiphum Sae-eung, aged 63, reportedly struggled against the intruding primate. The monkey, known for causing disturbances among locals, allegedly scratched and then bit Chaiphum on the leg.
Chaiphum’s lifeless body was discovered slouched against a wall, bearing numerous bite marks, by his distressed nephew, Pipat Sae-eung, who found him in a pool of blood on December 6. Upon police arrival, Chaiphum’s body was found holding a metal rod, presumably used for self-defense, while the monkey’s footprints were discernible in the dried blood on the floor.
Subsequently, authorities located the male pig-tailed macaque atop the home’s rafters. Police major Jakkarin Laksana from Betong Police station stated that due to the body’s bloated state and foul odor, it was presumed that Chaiphum had been deceased for approximately two to three days. An autopsy at Betong Hospital was planned to investigate the cause of death, with initial beliefs ruling out human involvement.
Local villagers recounted the monkey’s aggressive behavior, linking it to a previous incident where it bit Chaiphum on the shoulder ten days earlier. Prior to the fatal encounter, the monkey had driven a family out of their home. Law enforcement is currently on a mission to locate and neutralize the monkey to ensure the safety of residents, issuing a shoot-to-kill order for the animal.
In response to the escalating monkey-related issues in various regions of Thailand, particularly with macaques overtaking structures and engaging in theft, authorities are intensifying efforts to address the situation and protect the community from further harm.