Rebecca Manzi Mike White of “The White Lotus” has joined the chorus of denunciations against the forced use of pig-tailed macaques to harvest coconuts in Thailand, a brutal practice for these poor animals.
@PETA/YouTube
Mike White, the creator of The White Lotus, has drawn attention to a cruel practice occurring in Thailand: the forced use of long-tailed macaques for coconut harvesting. After filming the third season of the show on the island of Koh Samui, White learned from PETA Asia’s investigations that these animals are abducted, chained, and subjected to traumatic training in order to be used in plantations.
Mike White’s appeal for an end to macaque exploitation
In a letter addressed to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the director expressed his outrage, calling for the cessation of macaque exploitation and the adoption of more ethical harvesting methods. Koh Samui and the Surat Thani province are among the regions most affected by this practice, which relies on specialized schools that “tame” macaques from a young age. These small primates are torn from their mothers at just three months old or bred in captivity for forced labor.
PETA investigators gathered distressing footage, showing macaques bound with short ropes, forced to live in cramped, stimulus-deprived spaces, often wearing collars that cause skin lesions. The lack of social interaction with their peers leads these animals to develop severe behavioral issues, such as compulsive movements and self-harm.
Government support for macaque training schools as a tourist attraction
Despite international protests, Thailand continues to allow the use of macaques for coconut harvesting, with some companies promoting “monkey-free” certifications that are considered unreliable by animal rights organizations.
Many plantations have received these certifications despite evidence to the contrary. Furthermore, the Thai government promotes macaque training schools as a tourist attraction, organizing demonstrations where the now-subjugated animals are forced to perform in front of visitors.
Boycott Thai coconut products
For this reason, it is necessary to boycott coconut products from Thailand and choose those from countries like India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, where harvesting occurs without the use of animals. Mike White’s call for action and the international visibility of The White Lotus could help increase pressure on the Thai government to put an end to this form of animal exploitation and ensure more ethical conditions for coconut production.
