The retired soldier saw the entertainment value of his animal workforce, and Chiang Mai's first Monkey School soon opened its doors to locals and the burgeoning tourism trade. All of the monkeys at the school are male; the presence of just one female has proved to be a distraction from work or training; so much for equal opportunities in the workplace!
Sergeant Tawee hired trainers from the South, who specialize in teaching the monkeys to perform tasks ranging from coconut picking to riding bicycles. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, love and the patience of a saint to train these little creatures. But most monkeys are ready to take to the stage after about two months with their trainer. The animals are well looked after and enjoy regular visits from a local vet to ensure that they are in the best of health.
People wishing to have their own monkeys trained can bring them to the school where, for a small fee, they will be allowed to train alongside "the professionals". So, if your macaque is mooching around, or your gibbon is glued to the television, bring them to Sgt. Tawee's team for some good, old fashioned basic training.
For those of you who just want to see the monkeys in action, here's how to get to the Monkey School: Take the Chiang Mai-Faang Road (route 107) out of the city, until you reach its intersection with the Mae Rim-Samoeng Road (route 1096). Turn left here and drive for about 5 kilometers, past the snake farm and the patrol station until you reach a sign (in Thai) for the Monkey School, on your right.