Monkey fruit-picking

On Samui, the monkey undoubtedly qualifies as man's best friend. This isn't surprising, since for centuries the people here have used monkeys to do the hardest part of the work climbing to the trees to "pick ripe nuts" on their coconut plantations. Until the advent of tourism, coconuts represented the main industry here, so these industrious little animals were greatly prized.

To see the monkeys at work just watch out for signs at the roadside which say "Monkey work coconut" or go to the monkey theatre which offers shows in which the monkeys display their dexterity, and not just at picking coconuts.

Show times at 10:30am, 2 pm and 4pm daily. Fee is 150 Baht for adults and 80 Baht for kids. The entertainment also includes performing elephants. Look for the theatre on the main road behind Bophut village.