A viral photograph from Lopburi, Thailand—nicknamed “Monkey City”—shows a schoolgirl walking home clutching an air rifle to protect herself from aggressive macaques. The image reflects real danger: locals arm themselves to deter the monkeys from stealing food and belongings.
Authorities have so far struggled to control the monkey population—estimated at 3,000–4,000 macaques in town. Even police officers armed with slingshots face challenges as the primates have learned to snatch weapons from humans.
Netizens are joking about a future “armed monkey uprising” after images of monkeys holding toy guns circulated online. The situation underscores a growing wildlife-human conflict and calls for urgent intervention.
