Angry locals put up banners in protest over the monkey infestation in Lopburi, Thailand, which has seen an exodus of residents as the number of primates increases.

Vendors hung tarp signs on April 22 slamming the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) for their alleged inaction in addressing the rampaging macaques.

Footage shows rows of vinyl banners placed along the deserted sidewalk of Lopburi's Muang district. Some of them read: 'Help, monkeys caused Lopburi's town to be reduced by half'. Another read: 'People are in cages, but the monkeys are free'.

The residents claimed that local authorities were slow to enact wildlife policy amendments that would allow them to deal with the monkeys - a protected species in Thailand - in urban areas.

The relocation of the macaques has also been postponed to May due to the lack of enclosures to contain them.

A local named Guntrang said: 'Every sector agreed in the meeting that the solution would be to amend the law, but the DNP is still delaying it. The delay is stalling action by the local and provincial authorities, and the vendors have suffered as a result. Some of them have already moved out. 

'I urge the DNP to think about the residents and proceed with the amendment. I hope the media also helps us convey the matter to the related committee in the House of Representatives.'

DNP director-general Atthaphon Charoenchansa said the government is taking action against the monkeys.

He said: 'The goal of this phase is to capture 700 monkeys. We already have three small cages and a large cage to accommodate them.

'We held a meeting with several organisations, including local authorities and soldiers, on April 19. An administrative centre of around 100 people will be established to coordinate the capture and transportation of the monkeys.

'There was a rehearsal and adjustment of the plan to capture the monkeys by using cages to lure many monkeys in at a time, unlike the previous round that used tranquilizer darts focused on capturing the troop leader. Therefore, I want Lopburi residents to understand that we are not behind on our tasks.'

Lopburi has become a popular tourist destination because of its large population of monkeys. The monkeys are mostly long-tailed macaques, and they can be found all over the city, from the temples to the streets.

However, they can also be aggressive, and they have been known to steal food and belongings.