Get you up to speed: Boy, seven, mauled to death by his pet monkey | News World
Seven-year-old Ekkarat Srichan was mauled to death by a family pet monkey named Choke outside his home in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Ekkarat was rushed to Sichon Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police have located the monkey involved in the attack, but wildlife experts armed with tranquilliser guns are needed due to the animal’s aggressive behaviour. Authorities are also questioning the boy’s grandfather regarding the illegal ownership of the macaque, as the regulations surrounding such animals in Thailand are strict.
Local police and wildlife workers are currently searching for the released monkey, which has been described as aggressive and was involved in a fatal attack on seven-year-old Ekkarat Srichan. Following the incident, Ekkarat’s mother has vowed not to keep any more monkeys, expressing concerns for her remaining child’s safety, while authorities will be questioning the boy’s grandfather regarding the regulations on monkey ownership in Thailand.
What remains unclear — Police have not disclosed whether any legal action will be taken against the boy’s grandfather for keeping the monkey.
Seven-year-old boy dies after being attacked by pet monkey in Thailand
Neighbours heard the screeches of the monkey as it continued to attack the young boy (Picture: Viral Press)
A schoolboy has succumbed to his injuries after being mauled by his pet monkey named Choke.
Seven-year-old Ekkarat Srichan was playing outside his home when the four-year-old monkey began to attack and bite him.
Neighbours heard the screeches of the monkey as it continued to attack the young boy.
Relatives arrived to find Ekkarat covered in wounds and the family’s pet monkey with blood dripping from its teeth.
The monkey was still tethered to a bamboo pole, but with a rope long enough to allow it to wander freely.
Ekkarat was rushed to Sichon Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead in Nakhon Si Thammarat on June 6.
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The monkey is now on the run (Picture: Viral Press)
The boy’s grandfather released the killer monkey, which he had previously rescued from a roadside, but police and wildlife workers are now searching for the beast amid fears it could attack other residents.
Ekkarat’s mother, Daranee Srichan, 27, said the macaque’s long fangs had pierced through the boy’s lung.
She said: ‘The doctor told me my son couldn’t survive because the monkey’s bite punctured his lung and hit a vital area. If it hadn’t struck that spot, he would have been alright.
‘My husband initially said that Ekkarat had only been bitten on the leg, but when I saw him at the hospital, I discovered he had also suffered a bite to his right ribcage. I won’t keep any more monkeys. If I do, my other son might not survive.’
Residents said the vicious male macaque was known to be aggressive, growling and baring its fangs whenever strangers came close.
Neighbours claimed it had previously attacked a stray cat which wandered too close
Police officers have since located the deadly monkey, but it was so aggressive that wildlife experts with tranquiliser guns have been called in to help.
The boy’s grandfather, Jaroon, said he had rescued the monkey in 2022, but said he now regrets his decision after it cost him his grandson’s life.
He said: ‘I don’t know if the monkey disliked my grandson or not, but they’ve known each other for a long time. It wasn’t their first time meeting.
‘It must have been tired and irritated. At first, I thought I had made the right decision in saving the monkey. But now that this happened, I realise I made a mistake. I have to let it go. I’m not going to keep it anymore.
Officers said that the grandfather would be questioned further about the monkey, as owning macaques is legal but strictly regulated in Thailand.
Keeping wild-caught or protected macaques without authorisation is illegal and can lead to fines, confiscation of the animal, or prosecution under Thai wildlife laws.
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