Monkeys greet tourists again as Covid-19 travel ban eases in Thailand

Monkeys were excited to see tourists again after months of lockdown in Trang, southern Thailand.

Visitors starting returning to the beach where they received a warm welcome from the local primates on Monday (22/06) afternoon.

Footage shows the monkeys walking through the waves towards people, while expecting food.

However, the national park staff have banned people from feeding the monkeys as they want the creatures to become independent from humans so they learn to fend for themselves.

Staff said that monkeys have struggled during lockdown while travel has been prohibited, so they must learn to gather their own food in case it happens again.

One park office said: "While the park was closed at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the monkeys became more independent.

"We want them to stay that way as receiving food from humans will be bad for them in long term."