A bandit monkey waited for a mountain tram to arrive - then jumped inside to steal food from passengers.

Footage shows the macaque sitting on the ledge at the stop while patiently awaiting the incoming vehicle that carried sightseeing tourists in Phetchaburi, Thailand, on October 8.

The pilfering primate leaped onto one of the seats the moment it halted and harassed a woman who handed her bag of snacks to a friend behind.

The rude monkey even followed the bag and rummaged through it, ignoring the tourist who was trying to keep it before taking off with snacks.

Onlooker Benz Thotsapon said: 'The monkey is smart. He plans what he is doing and has found a way to steal food regularly. If a human did the same thing, they would be arrested, but the animal can get away with it because he's a monkey.

'These monkeys are very intelligent and so close to humans on the evolutionary scale, but they can do what they want. It's amazing.'

Thailand's growing population of primates has become a problem as the animals are known to damage property, such as cars and buildings. Unafraid of the consequences, they have also started stealing food from tourists and locals.

Meanwhile, the Thai government is taking steps to manage the monkey population in the country, including creating sanctuaries, mass sterilisation programs, educating the public on how to handle the animals properly, and relocating them to more suitable habitats.