THE current flood disaster in the central Thai province of Nakhon Sawan has strengthened the bond of friendship between local monks and a herd of monkeys who live in a nearby forest, the Thai-language Daily News reported today (Oct 17).
Since the forest was flooded a month ago, the monkeys have taken over a small house on stilts inside the temple. The monks still go on their morning alms-taking rounds by boat, and share the food from alms-givers with the monkeys when they return.
“Amid the difficulty, we are able to make friends with these monkeys,” said the temple abbot. “It’s not easy handling 1,000 hungry and naughty animals, but the villagers still come to give us food and water, which we share with these naughty animals.”
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Top: A new friendship in badly flooded Nakhon Sawan. Photo: Daily News
By Songpol Kaopatumtip