Coconut-picking monkeys, long a popular tourist attraction, have become a sensitive trade issue as British activists claim the animals are abused and push for a boycott of the nation’s coconut products.
Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit declared that coconut harvesting by monkeys is not a major part of the industry. He said the animals are mostly a tourist attraction and are not harmed. Thailand exported 12.3bil baht (RM1.6bil) of coconut milk in 2019, including 2.2bil baht (RM303mil) to the European Union and Britain.
Undercover investigation of eight Thai farms found that monkeys are forced to gather as many as 1,000 coconuts a day and treated cruelly. Peta's campaign has led several major retail outlets to remove products from companies alleged to use Thai coconuts harvested by monkeys.
A monkey trainer in the southern province of Surat Thani, said that although monkeys are still used for gathering coconuts, there is less demand for them. But things are changing where over the years shorter trees have been cultivated to facilitate picking coconuts by other methods.
Most owners take good care of their monkeys and treat them just like pets, although there were sure to be some exceptions.
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