A town hall that was taken over by wild monkeys is being guarded by a 'turncoat' monkey who fights away attacks from his species.
The deserted council offices were filled with primates when employees moved to a new building in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, earlier this year.
However, when the state wanted to repair the building and re-open it for a new use they were unable to clear away the rampaging critters.
They enlisted the help of a highly territorial 'king' macaque who was let loose in the property to scare away the lesser animals.
The monkey, nicknamed 'Boss', is now keeping guard at the building and is let loose inside to scare away the others.
Just the smell of 'Boss' is enough to ward off the lesser animals and one squeal sends them scattering.
The macaque's owner Ekedanai Chauythip, 27, said his monkeys were known by the locals vendors but this is the first time that they were hired by officials.
He said: "My monkeys have never guarded any government property before. The only work they have done is with the local vendors who always hire them to guard their shops and stalls.
"My macaque is a species that is bigger and more perilous than the wild macaque monkeys so they would normally scare them away, just with their scent.''
Thailand has been criticised by animal rights group PETA for using monkeys in the coconut farming industry.
The deserted council offices were filled with primates when employees moved to a new building in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, earlier this year.
However, when the state wanted to repair the building and re-open it for a new use they were unable to clear away the rampaging critters.
They enlisted the help of a highly territorial 'king' macaque who was let loose in the property to scare away the lesser animals.
The monkey, nicknamed 'Boss', is now keeping guard at the building and is let loose inside to scare away the others.
Just the smell of 'Boss' is enough to ward off the lesser animals and one squeal sends them scattering.
The macaque's owner Ekedanai Chauythip, 27, said his monkeys were known by the locals vendors but this is the first time that they were hired by officials.
He said: "My monkeys have never guarded any government property before. The only work they have done is with the local vendors who always hire them to guard their shops and stalls.
"My macaque is a species that is bigger and more perilous than the wild macaque monkeys so they would normally scare them away, just with their scent.''
Thailand has been criticised by animal rights group PETA for using monkeys in the coconut farming industry.
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