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	---> MORE Destinations: _________________________________ New Perspective of Chiang Rai at Latitude 19 VISITING A BORDER TOWN: Mae Sot – then and now The Poy Sang Long Festival in Mae Hong Son The Samoeng Strawberry Festival Far Out and Cool in Fang District PICTURE PERFECT Mon Jaem Chiang Mai Reflections and a Night Safari Adventure Wat Palad: The Temple below the Temple The Bua Tong Waterfall Park The Cave and Hot Springs of the Mae On Area A DAY TRIP TO DOI INTHANON Two wheels good four wheels…er… The Sino-Thai Dragon Temple of Wat Tha Ton Doi Inthanon - Thailand’s Highest Mountain Kad Mua - an all-you-need market Chiang Dao High! Chiang Mai’s Red Cross and Winter Fair Loy Krathong at Tak A RETREAT TO... Kwan Yin Bodhisattva Hall Living with nature: Galyani Vadhana District Treasures of Myanmar A Journey to Shangri-La Pha Wing Choo – A Lover's Cliff Wiangtakan – The Past Remains Rural Life and Natural Mystery in Chaiprakarn Taking Aim at Chiang Mai's Shooting Gallery Chiang Mai - Maerim - Samoeng Route Hot Springs (and eggs) Ratchaphruek Festival 2009 The 5th Lanna - Japan Festival 2009 Make a Day of it at the New Look Night Safari Mae Sa Snake Farm Marine Lives in a Mountainous Zoo X-Centre Mae Hong Son, Pang Oong and much more along the way... Mae Kampong Village Tiger Kingdom Pai: The Hub of Joy Flower Festival Annual Bo Sang Umbrella Festival at Bo Sang Village Wiang Kum Kam: The Underground Ancient City Loy Kratong: The Town's Joyful Festival Monkey Centre Maerim, Chiang Mai Baankwai Thai Maerim Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden THE ROYAL PALACE ON DOI SUTHEP The Night Safari Ban Saonak Chae Son National Park Lamphun's Wat Chamathevi Doi Tao Lake Mae Sai Bai the Beautiful Wieng Kum Kam Mae Klang Luang Village Doi Pui - Hmong Tribal Village Nan Province Wat Suan Dok Chiang Saen: a city in myth and reality One Night in Chiang Rai and a day across the border A trip full of tour guides Two Days and a Night in the Country The Sumptuous Angkhang Gourmet Tour AWAY FROM IT ALL IN NEARBY MAE WANG Children's Day at the Westernmost Point of Thailand To Lamphun Along the Road of Histories ESCAPING TO PAI A WINTER TRIP ON THE PING RIVER To the Back of Beyond, right on your doorstep Visiting the Shrine of the Elephant-Headed God Visiting Samui Back to Nature at Opkhan National Park Lost in the Chiang Mai Zoo Three Days through the Northern Countryside DOING A NINE-TEMPLE KARMA TRIP - Right Here in Chiang Mai An Early Summer Trip to the Thi Lo Su Falls Nan: Forest, Temples and the Salt of the Earth TREKKING AND TUCKING IN: Wawee Coffee Plantation Mai Long Yee - Lovely Whatever Else You Call It Magnificent Creatures at Wat Changkham Off to See Some Mural Paintings in Lampang The Salawin and the People of Tha Tafang A Hike in the Forest A Journey back in time A Long Night of Luxury in the Chiang Dao Valley Ice-cold in Omkoy A Quick Visit to a Karen Wedding Strawberry Fields Forever A quick ride to Jaesorn National Park A Journey to Wawee A Birding Trip for Newbies Nam Bor Phi Cave A Breath of Sea Air Shopping With a Difference: Kad Luang Airport ELEPHANTS AND ORCHIDS AND THE SNACKS IN BETWEEN Monsoon Miscellany MAE RIM LAGOON AN IMPRESSIVE TRIP - to the Sukantara Resort Visiting Luang Prabang, the Pearl on the Mekong River Phrae: refreshing trip, auspicious visits Up on the Mountain (again) at Khun Wang UP THE MOUNTAIN TO THUNG LUANG SINGAPORE - City of Parks A Short Sight-Seeing Trip to the Monkey Centre GIVE PAI A TRY! You won’t regret it A BUSY DAY’S VISIT TO SANKAMPAENG A Rainy Day Outing to Phrao Monsoon Miscellany TRIPPING AND TASTING ALONG THE HANDICRAFT HIGHWAYS

DESTINATION:
Monkey Centre Maerim, Chiang Mai

It is not strange at all to see a worker in a coconut garden in the south of Thailand accompanied by a monkey. Monkeys are not just pets for people in the South, it is very common for workers and monkeys to be very good friends. They are treated as a family member who eat and sleep under the same roof. Not only is the look of a monkey somehow comparable to a human: its body, posture, fingers etc.; its ability to do some types of work is also quite similar to a human. In the coconut garden, monkeys have their own duty just like anybody in the crew. Their main responsibility is climbing up the coconut trees and picking the coconuts. In other parts of Thailand, monkeys do not play much of an important role in agricultural life, but they are known as one of the cleverest animals, so we often see these cute little friends as entertainers in circuses and monkey shows.

Whenever you visit Chiang Mai's Maerim district, besides appreciating the beauty of Maerim valley and visiting several recreation centres, you have a good opportunity to see a monkey show and learn about different kinds of Asian monkeys. In the Maerim Valley, just two minutes from the famous X-Centre on the Maerim-Samerng Rd. a 20-minute drive from Chiang Mai City, the Monkey Centre welcomes all visitors who want to get close to these amazing creatures. There are several types of Asian monkeys, the most common being the pig-tailed macaque. Most monkeys here came from zoos that were overpopulated and all of them have been treated as domestic pets that still need a home instead of living in the wilderness where they would be unable to survive by themselves.

Each hour, a 30-minute show displays the impressive talents of the monkeys at such activities as coconut-picking, bike-riding, basketball, magic shows and more. All visitors are encouraged to participate in many parts of the show. The Monkey Centre does not just offer entertainment; it is also a place to learn about these monkeys. Before or after the show, you are welcome to walk around to observe their life closely. English-speaking staff-members are ready to answer any questions you have and assist you to play with and feed the monkeys. Whilst there, don't forget to take your chance to hug a monkey and take some photos with them.

Monkey Centre
Tel: 053-299414
Mobile: 081-8851912
Show times: 11 am, 12.15 am, 1.15 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.15 pm, 4.15 pm
Entrance fee: 200 baht per person

Text & Images: Pon