10-5-2024 (BANGKOK) Noey, the young girl captured in the viral and award-winning photograph aiming an air gun at a monkey, took centre stage as the guest of honour at the gala premiere of the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes movie, held at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok yesterday. Noey shared her firsthand experiences of coexisting with troops of monkeys in the central province of Lopburi.
The image of Noey, which gained widespread attention back in February, emerged as a symbol of the challenges faced by locals living amidst the monkey population in Lop Buri. Captured by wildlife photographer nhm_wpy, the photo clinched the top prize in the prestigious 50th European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Depicting the daily struggles encountered by residents of Lop Buri, who contend with both nuisance and physical threats from the monkeys, the image struck a chord with audiences worldwide.
In the photograph, Noey, donned in her primary school uniform, is depicted walking along the roadside clutching an air gun in her right hand, while her snack and drink are held in her left. Reportedly, the air gun serves as a means of protection against monkey encounters during her commute.
Another compelling image captured by Thai photographer Narongdad Eiamtim portrays a monkey wielding a toy gun while perched on a fence in Lop Buri. Many Thai netizens drew parallels between these visuals and scenes from the Planet of the Apes film series, underscoring the palpable tension between humans and apes depicted in both reality and fiction.
Capitalizing on this thematic resonance, the Walt Disney film studio extended an invitation to Noey to attend the gala premiere of their latest release, the Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The event, held at the Paragon Cineplex within Siam Paragon mall, showcased the convergence of real-life events and cinematic narrative.
In an interview, Noey disclosed that the prevalence of monkey-related confrontations in Lop Buri has led locals to arm themselves as a defensive measure. She recounted her family’s habitual practice of carrying weapons whenever venturing outside, with her air gun being deemed the most formidable among them.
Noey concluded by emphasising that her armed preparedness was instrumental in safeguarding her snacks and drink during her journey home, underscoring the necessity of such precautions in the face of persistent monkey encounters.
The evocative imagery and personal account shared by Noey illuminate the challenges confronting residents of Lopburi province, prompting calls for intervention from relevant authorities to address the escalating monkey population.
