Phuket, Thailand – A daring monkey made off with a tourist’s bag on Toh Sae Hill in Rassada, prompting an unexpected intervention by local police.
On a weekend morning, Lance Corporal Supphachai Aroonchot and Lance Corporal Phuthip Chotwattanakorn of the Phuket Provincial Police were engaged in their regular hillside exercise routine. As they ascended the hill, they witnessed a monkey leap onto the back of a female Russian tourist and swiftly snatch her bag.
The monkey, apparently well-versed in bag-snatching maneuvers, darted away into the surrounding trees.
Undeterred, the officers sprang into action. They pursued the nimble primate, using small rocks to threaten it without causing harm. In response, the monkey relinquished the stolen bag, allowing the relieved tourist to reclaim her belongings.
The incident was captured on photos and videos, which were later shared on the Newshawk Phuket Facebook page. Local residents and visitors alike are now reminded to keep a watchful eye on their belongings when exploring Phuket’s scenic hills.
This story has gained lots of shares on social media because of similar incidents when monkeys snatched items from people and because they rarely got their belongings back.