Pattaya – A video appearing to show an unidentified foreign man allegedly abusing a baby monkey in a Jomtien Bar area has gone viral, bringing calls from locals for immediate investigation by authorities in the popular tourist district of Jomtien.
The incident occurred on the night of May 15, 2026, in the Rompho market area along Jomtien Second Road. The location is known for its cluster of beer bars frequented by tourists and locals.
According to eyewitness accounts and the circulated footage, a tall, shirtless, foreign man wearing shorts was seen walking through the nightlife zone with a small baby monkey. He allegedly repeatedly stuffed the monkey into the crotch area of his pants. Witnesses reported that if the monkey resisted or appeared playful, the man would allegedly hit it. Inside one of the bars, he pulled the monkey out to show customers before allegedly biting its ear in front of onlookers. The tiny monkey appeared exhausted and frightened, attempting to flee across tables as the man chased and restrained it again, claimed witnesses.
The video was recorded and shared online, quickly going viral, by Ms. Jutamas, a 40-year-old Thai resident. She told reporters she was drinking with friends at a bar when she noticed the man repeatedly adjusting his pants. Upon realizing he was hiding the monkey inside, she began filming. “I felt sorry for the monkey. It looked like torture,” she said, urging responsible agencies to investigate promptly and identify the man.
Local residents and tourists expressed shock and sympathy for the animal, describing the behavior as clear animal abuse and inappropriate for a public area. The clip has been widely shared and now gone viral on Thai social media and Thai media outlets, including FM91 Trafficpro, sparking widespread criticism and demands for action, as well as calls for animal rights organizations to get involved.
As of May 16th, 2026, there have been no reports of the man being identified, arrested, or charged. Authorities, including police and wildlife officials, have not yet issued a public statement on whether the monkey was legally owned or if any action has been taken to rescue the animal.
Thailand has strict laws against animal cruelty, and keeping wild animals like monkeys as pets without proper permits is regulated. Similar incidents in the Pattaya-Jomtien area have previously drawn attention to issues of animal welfare in tourist hotspots.
