A rogue wild monkey has sparked fear after attacking pets while terrorising a market in Thailand.

Footage shows the large male macaque walking across roofs and powerlines over a fresh market in Angthong province on February 5.

Disturbed vendors said the three-year-old primate has claimed territory over the area as it had been seen chasing away stray cats searching for food.

Lek Chairat, one of the shop owners, said: 'Our pet cat was attacked by the monkey. Now we cannot let her out because the monkey might hurt her again.'

Aside from being aggressive towards other animals in the area, the vendor said that it had been stealing from carts and hurting customers.

She said: 'It had been stealing food from the carts and sometimes attacks our customers. Some visitors here gave it fruits and vegetables to eat so that's why it liked to stay.'

The monkey is believed to have hitched a ride in one of the delivery trucks from a mountain in Lopburi province and settled in the area because there was food.

Locals have already reported the monkey to authorities who have yet to evacuate the animal from the distressed vendors.

Government officials have tried to control the population without success. In 2020, large numbers of monkeys were sterilised after their numbers spiralled out of control during the coronavirus lockdown, with well-meaning locals feeding them sugary drinks.

Environmental officer Narongporn Daudduem said the department has a long-term plan to build a sanctuary in another part of the city but plans are likely to be met with resistance from some of the residents who don’t want the monkeys living near them.