A town hall that was taken over by wild monkeys is being guarded by a 'turncoat' monkey who fights away attacks from his species.<br /><br />The deserted council offices were filled with primates when employees moved to a new building in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, earlier this year.<br /><br />However, when the state wanted to repair the building and re-open it for a new use they were unable to clear away the rampaging critters.<br /><br />They enlisted the help of a highly territorial 'king' macaque who was let loose in the property to scare away the lesser animals.<br /><br />The monkey, nicknamed 'Boss', is now keeping guard at the building and is let loose inside to scare away the others. <br /><br />Just the smell of 'Boss' is enough to ward off the lesser animals and one squeal sends them scattering.<br /><br />The macaque's owner Ekedanai Chauythip, 27, said his monkeys were known by the locals vendors but this is the first time that they were hired by officials.<br /><br />He said: "My monkeys have never guarded any government property before. The only work they have done is with the local vendors who always hire them to guard their shops and stalls.<br /><br />"My macaque is a species that is bigger and more perilous than the wild macaque monkeys so they would normally scare them away, just with their scent.''<br /><br />Thailand has been criticised by animal rights group PETA for using monkeys in the coconut farming industry.
