The monkey was still at the property when police arrived; gazing down at officers from the rafters.
Locals said the macaque that attacked Chaiphum had been loitering around the village in the weeks before the attack and was seen aggressively pursuing a female monkey.
Villagers said it had already bitten Chaiphum on the shoulder 10 days before his death.
The man had been previously assaulted by the same macaque which bit his shoulder. Photo / ViralPress
Police Major Jakkarin Laksana said Chaiphum’s body had been sent for an autopsy at the local Betong Hospital. Laksana did not believe “any people were involved in the death”.
“We speculate that he had been dead for around two to three days because his body was bloated and emitting a foul stench.”
A shoot-to-kill order has been issued, Laksana said.
“The monkey will be killed if it is seen.
“The danger that it could attack more people is too high.”
Macaques are found throughout Asia and North Africa and are known for adapting and flourishing in suburban environments.
However, many Asian countries say they have been overrun by the primates who have a reputation for raiding homes and foraging for food, often clashing with residents.