PETA Intensifies Campaign Against Monkey Labor in Thailand

Author: Dian Kencana
February 25, 2025

A monkey on a coconut tree.

SEAToday.com,Bangkok - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has escalated its campaign against the use of monkey labor in Thailand’s coconut industry. The organization has released a letter from The White Lotus creator, Mike White, urging the Thai government to end the exploitation of pig-tailed macaques in coconut harvesting.

PETA’s investigations have uncovered distressing conditions in Thailand’s coconut-picking training schools. According to the organization, investigators witnessed young, social, and sensitive monkeys, some only months old, left tethered with extremely short ropes that severely restricted their movement.

PETA emphasized that, in the wild, pig-tailed macaques remain with their mothers for years, condemning the cruel practice of forcibly separating baby monkeys for labor.

PETA’s latest revelations came shortly after a dramatic protest outside the Thai Embassy in London on February 13. During the demonstration, animal rights advocates dressed as monkeys in prisoner outfits poured buckets of coconut milk over themselves to symbolize the alleged abuse suffered by these animals.

The protest was a response to footage released by PETA Asia, which showed baby macaques chained and confined to flooded or trash-filled areas at coconut-picking training schools.

With the backing of high-profile figures like Mike White, PETA is increasing pressure on the Thai government to take immediate action against the exploitation of monkeys in the coconut industry.

The organization continues to call for ethical and cruelty-free alternatives to traditional coconut harvesting methods, pushing for an end to forced animal labor.

The Thai government has yet to issue an official response to PETA’s renewed campaign.