Somporn Saekhow is a farmer from Kanchanadit, Surat Thani province, famous as a monkey master. Mr. Somporn’s training methods were considered unorthodox in the late 50s when he began training pig-tailed macaques to climb trees, pick coconuts and throw them on the ground. He had seen monkeys beaten by their owners for picking unripe coconuts before, so he decided to teach them in a gentler, non-beating way.

The first semester at the training school lasts 3-6 months and costs the monkey owner about 5,000 baht. By graduation day, the pig-tailed macaques were taught how to pick ripe coconuts and collect coconuts from coconut trees, as well as how to free themselves if their leash got entangled in the tree.

The second training at the school costs 25,000 baht and, among other skills, the monkeys are taught to collect ground coconuts and put them in sacks or load on trucks.

Over time, his school became famous locally and is the largest monkey school in southern Thailand. In 1993, Somporn together with his favourite monkey Khai Nui carried the provincial flag in the opening ceremony of the National Games held in Surat Thani. His school has also become a tourist attraction, with many flocking just to admire the exceptional performances of his best students.

According to Wikipedia, pattayamail.com, firstschoolformonkeys.com