If you ever travel to Thailand, there’s one thing seasoned visitors will warn you about almost immediately: watch your pockets around the monkeys.
A now-viral video shows exactly why. In the clip, a curious monkey casually slips its hand into a tourist’s pocket and steals his cash — all while showing off an impressively cheeky attitude.
The man was strolling across a bridge, filming on his phone and minding his own business, when the monkey quietly went to work. Before he even realized what was happening, the primate had expertly pulled a 20 Thai baht note straight out of his pocket.
The tourist tried reasoning with the monkey, even pleading for his money back. No luck. The monkey seemed completely unbothered, clearly operating under a strict “finders keepers” policy.
Moments later, the monkey scampered up a nearby tree and did the unthinkable — it ate the money.
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As unfortunate as it was for the tourist, the internet found the whole incident hilarious. Commenters joked that the monkey needed cash for a quick snack run at 7-Eleven, while others said the man should’ve paid a “ransom” in food if he wanted his money returned. Some even suggested that offering a snack upfront might have saved the cash.
While the video is undeniably funny, it’s also a reminder to be cautious. Thailand is home to several monkey species, including macaques, which are known for being bold, clever, and sometimes aggressive.
Experts generally advise tourists not to feed monkeys directly, as they can snatch food — or anything else — right out of your hands. If feeding does happen, it’s safer to toss food from a distance. And as adorable as baby monkeys may be, their parents are fiercely protective and can become dangerous if they feel threatened.
The tourist in the video was lucky the situation stayed lighthearted. If someone reacts aggressively toward a monkey, it can quickly escalate into biting or scratching, which can cause serious injuries.