Khao Sam Muk
Khao Sam Muk
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
152 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
69
Average
43
Poor
10
Terrible
2
Akira
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
I came to visit the sea So I stopped by here. My friend said there are monkeys here. I'm very excited There were a lot of monkeys and a lot of tourists as well. Let's feed the monkeys around here.
Written September 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Rayong, Thailand9,334 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Khao Sam Muk is a 45 meter high rocky hill near Chonburi. Local people believe that the spirit that lives in the mountain protects fishermen from harm. One legend tells of a fisherman's wife who waited on the hill for her husband who was lost at sea. Another, tells that in the 18th Century a poor Chinese girl, Sam Muk, jumped to her death from the cliff after her parents would not allow her to marry her lover.
The hill and its environs are home to a large colony of rhesus monkeys which have become "friendly" because tourists feed them bananas, corn, cucumber and other monkey delicacies. There are Thai vendors selling small hands of bananas, or strings of corn and cucumber pieces for 20 baht each.
But it is wise to remember that these "friendly" monkeys are still wild animals with sharp and invariably dirty teeth.
So play it safe. When you hand a monkey food do not hang on to the other end while your friend takes your photograph. As soon as the monkey takes the food, release it.
Secondly, if a rogue monkey steals a banana or food intended for another monkey, do not attempt to retrieve it.
Thirdly, many mother monkeys are carrying babies and they look very cute. But the mothers are highly protective of their young and you should not attempt to stroke or pat a baby monkey.
Finally, it is not uncommon for a monkey to jump on your back and climb up onto your shoulder (see attached photographs). Do not panic, shout, scream or start trying to brush the monkey off with your hands. That is a recipe for being bitten. Instead, stay calm, let the monkey sit on your should and give it a banana. Once it has some food it will jump off.
Follow these simple common sense rules and you should have an enjoyable interaction with the monkeys.
By the way, my car ended up with several monkeys sitting on the roof, and I had to go to a service station when we left to have the windscreen cleaned so I could see through it properly.
The hill and its environs are home to a large colony of rhesus monkeys which have become "friendly" because tourists feed them bananas, corn, cucumber and other monkey delicacies. There are Thai vendors selling small hands of bananas, or strings of corn and cucumber pieces for 20 baht each.
But it is wise to remember that these "friendly" monkeys are still wild animals with sharp and invariably dirty teeth.
So play it safe. When you hand a monkey food do not hang on to the other end while your friend takes your photograph. As soon as the monkey takes the food, release it.
Secondly, if a rogue monkey steals a banana or food intended for another monkey, do not attempt to retrieve it.
Thirdly, many mother monkeys are carrying babies and they look very cute. But the mothers are highly protective of their young and you should not attempt to stroke or pat a baby monkey.
Finally, it is not uncommon for a monkey to jump on your back and climb up onto your shoulder (see attached photographs). Do not panic, shout, scream or start trying to brush the monkey off with your hands. That is a recipe for being bitten. Instead, stay calm, let the monkey sit on your should and give it a banana. Once it has some food it will jump off.
Follow these simple common sense rules and you should have an enjoyable interaction with the monkeys.
By the way, my car ended up with several monkeys sitting on the roof, and I had to go to a service station when we left to have the windscreen cleaned so I could see through it properly.
Written May 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
200984
London, UK70 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
If you are having dinner in Bang Saen or Ang Sila drive over Khao Sammuk & feed the monkeys. You can buy cucumbers & corn on the way up.
Best to stay in the car though, they look vicious!
Best to stay in the car though, they look vicious!
Written March 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aug 2013 • Solo
This mountain has great views over the bay. It is entirely ruined by the overwhelming presence of hundreds of filthy macacs that tug at you, your car or anything they can get their hands on in their perpetual quest for food.
Hawkers hang about trying to sell packs of fruit to feed these animals with. If you are bitten I recommend you get both tetanus and rabies jabs.
Of course the reason for this unnaturally large population of monkeys is down to the presence of a large temple and monks. There are some interesting shrines on the mountain, but again ruined by the filth and hassle of the monkeys.
Hawkers hang about trying to sell packs of fruit to feed these animals with. If you are bitten I recommend you get both tetanus and rabies jabs.
Of course the reason for this unnaturally large population of monkeys is down to the presence of a large temple and monks. There are some interesting shrines on the mountain, but again ruined by the filth and hassle of the monkeys.
Written August 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas M
Wang Chan, Thailand4 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
We went around mid-day. Monkeys were everywhere, Thais were selling fruit to give to the monkeys. We didn't buy any though, if you stop in the middle of the road the monkeys will jump on the car. Good place to see monkeys up close without getting out of the car. Some of the monkeys look agressive though so just be careful. Overall a great experience and interesting place.
Written November 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joyful_G_C_Chan
Samut Prakan, Thailand72 contributions
Oct 2019
This little lookout is slightly off the beaten track. Driving there is a must.
Beware of aggressive monkeys who will snatch your food when trying to feed them.
The view from the peak is not that stunning and I was constantly on the look out for those monkeys.
Avoid bringing children there. The monkeys are definitely not the type who will feed off your hand and let you pat them.
Very limited parking lots.
There was a cafe there but I did not go.
The hill is littered with scraps of food meant for the monkeys so there is a stench of rotten food.
Beware of aggressive monkeys who will snatch your food when trying to feed them.
The view from the peak is not that stunning and I was constantly on the look out for those monkeys.
Avoid bringing children there. The monkeys are definitely not the type who will feed off your hand and let you pat them.
Very limited parking lots.
There was a cafe there but I did not go.
The hill is littered with scraps of food meant for the monkeys so there is a stench of rotten food.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cortez48
australia309 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
I will start by saying if you dont like or are scared of monkeys you may want to give this temple a miss. We rode our push bikes here from bangsaen beach so there is no way you can avoid monkeys while your on a push bike. Some of them are rather large but as we went around mid morning or the hottest time of the day the monkeys were fairly tame. But having said that i was very frightened as i pushed my bike up a large hill as it was too steep for me to cycle. Everywhere i looked or cycled there were monkeys, but lots of cars stop to feed them & you can buy bananas at many stops around the drive. They are definitely not starving they look & act very well fed. For me the fact they seem well feed & plenty of cars are feeding them allowed us to cycle past without any dramas.
The wat at the top is really beautiful, colourful & peaceful. Its not terribly large & scales the side of the hill beautifully. Its a very nice interactive wat with lots of bells to ring & beads you can adorn the statues with for a small donation. Theres were no monkeys in the wat grounds but they were definitely over head in the tree tops. The view overlooking the water & the village below is devine. So glad we made the effort to visit.
The wat at the top is really beautiful, colourful & peaceful. Its not terribly large & scales the side of the hill beautifully. Its a very nice interactive wat with lots of bells to ring & beads you can adorn the statues with for a small donation. Theres were no monkeys in the wat grounds but they were definitely over head in the tree tops. The view overlooking the water & the village below is devine. So glad we made the effort to visit.
Written October 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vmuthuwan
Chonburi Province, Thailand335 contributions
Nov 2016
A place that you may want to visit if you like the animals. However, you must be alert and be careful as they are wild. You can see the view the sea of Bangsaen and Khaw Sam Muk on the top of the mountain.
Written February 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pop P
410 contributions
Jun 2015
This hill top is a great place to enjoy sunset or general sea views. However, please NOTE: this 'monkey hill' is ruled by very naughty and active crab eating macaques. Watch your belongings carefully, the always hungry macaques often grab your stuff and run to the cliff. Chance to get your wallets, cameras, or sunglasses, is slim.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IanHoskins
Saen Suk, Thailand78 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Great to see the monkeys but be careful they like to jump on your car. Feel perfectly safe there though, when walking. Great views of Bang Saen and always enjoy seeing people enjoying themselves
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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