PHUKET, THAILAND – A British rescue volunteer in southern Thailand issued an urgent warning after at least ten tourists were bitten by monkeys within a few days, raising fears of deadly rabies transmission.
Spike in bites at Monkey Beach
British rescuer Vinnie Modell, founder of the Rescue Team Volunteers Phuket, reported a worrying rise in monkey attacks over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Most incidents occurred on the famous Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Island, with additional cases reported in Pattaya.
“These are wild animals. Any interaction, especially when feeding or taking photos, can end in a bite,”
said Vinnie Modell, adding that recent victims came from the United Kingdom, Germany and Israel.
Tourist feeding fuels aggressive behavior
According to the report, the problem was considered man-made. The macaques on Phi Phi and at Toh Sae Hill in Phuket Town had become used to humans but were not tame. Years of unauthorized feeding by tourists made the animals demanding and aggressive, as they associated people with food and became impatient when they received nothing.
Warnings ignored, fear fades
Official signs warning against feeding and approaching the animals were said to be consistently ignored. As a result, the monkeys were losing their natural fear of humans, leading to potentially dangerous encounters. Authorities stressed that this change in behavior had direct consequences for visitor safety.
Rabies risk after “lucky” minor injuries
The bites recorded in recent weeks did not cause serious physical injuries. However, the real danger was described as invisible, as any monkey bite could transmit deadly viruses and bacteria. The greatest risk was rabies, a disease that was almost always fatal if not treated immediately.
Painful treatment to prevent infection
Treatment after exposure involved a series of vaccinations and antibody injections. These had to be administered directly into the wound to prevent infection and the onset of rabies. Health officials underlined that this procedure was painful but essential for survival in suspected rabies cases.
Immediate steps after a bite
Health authorities issued clear guidance for anyone bitten. The wound should be washed immediately with running water and soap, then covered. The decisive step was to seek medical attention without delay, as every minute counted.
Hospital visit is non-negotiable
Only timely post-exposure prophylaxis could prevent the development of fatal rabies after a bite. Officials emphasized that a visit to a hospital was indispensable in all cases, regardless of how minor the wound might appear. Delaying treatment significantly increased the risk of severe illness.
Clear message to tourists
Modell urged visitors to rethink close encounters with monkeys at tourist spots.
“No photo is worth a stay in hospital. Respect the animals as wild animals and keep your distance,”
said Vinnie Modell. Tourists were reminded that a seemingly “cute” moment for a selfie could end in a life-threatening situation.
Authorities step up warnings
Thai authorities were reported to be intensifying their warnings to holidaymakers about contact with wild monkeys. Despite this, each traveler ultimately decided how closely to approach the animals. Officials and rescuers stressed that common sense and restraint could save lives.
How to behave around monkeys
Visitors were advised to keep at least five meters away from the monkeys and to avoid direct eye contact, which the animals might interpret as a threat. Food should be hidden, and feeding should be completely avoided, with particular attention paid to protecting children, who were often attacked first. Tourists were encouraged to enjoy the natural scenery from a distance to protect themselves and help preserve the monkeys’ wild behavior.