Some sensitive people might get upset by all the animal shows along the Mae Sa Valley, in which elephants, monkeys, tigers and even snakes are trained to perform antics simply to amuse us humans. If you’re such a person, then give this a miss, as well as all the other animal attractions in the valley.

However, there are lots of visitors who have no such reservations, and for them the monkey show is perhaps more fun than all the other animal shows, since the clever macaques seem to be enjoying themselves.

You’ll watch them harvesting coconuts, riding a bicycle, playing basketball and even solving mathematical puzzles in the half hour or so that the show lasts. For most people it’s a lot of laughs, but be careful not to get too close to them, as they occasionally bite or scratch visitors.

Most people visit the Monkey Centre as part of a half-day or full-day organized tour of the Mae Sa Valley, but if you go by rented motorbike or car, head north along H107 from Chiang Mai, passing through Mae Rim, then turn left on to H1096, and the centre is on the left after about 4km.

  • What is it? A monkey show
  • When to go: Showtimes are at 11:00, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15.
  • Nearest Town: Mae Rim is the nearest town, about 6km to the southeast.
  • Website: www.monkeycentre.com
  • Opening hours: 09:00-18:00
  • Entrance fee: Adults 200B, children 100B