In a lively twist of events on the sun-drenched island of Phuket, an unsuspecting French tourist’s smartphone momentarily found itself in the mischievous grasp of a monkey, turning an ordinary day into a tale for the ages. Capturing the hilarity on her TikTok, @justinefortemps shared an uproarious encounter set against the backdrop of the infamous Khao Toh Sae—better known to travelers far and wide as Monkey Hill.
The video, aptly tagged “Monkey Hill Attack,” opens with the curious primate nabbing the bright blue phone from the stunned tourist, who can only watch as her gadget becomes a spotlight stealer. The audacious monkey, seemingly a juvenile, takes to examining the device with its nimble right paw, all the while shooting cautious glances at its owner—a bemused French visitor clad in eye-catching pink attire.
In a dramatic turn, our furry videographer makes its escape, scampering up a tree, the phone in tow. Amidst the tourist’s amusement and mild panic over potentially bidding adieu to her digital companion, the video unfolds to reveal the monkey capturing an unexpected selfie. Not content with just its visage, it deftly switches the camera to survey its leafy locale before the rescue mission gears up.
Enter the gallant locals: three perceptive Thai gentlemen. They swiftly orchestrate the retrieval of the phone, much to the delight and relief of its rightful owner. Just when it seems the saga is drawing to a close, the cheeky creature makes a cameo appearance, tugging playfully at our heroine’s hair. Yet again, a mindful local hero—this time sporting a red shirt—steps in, ensuring the monkey’s prank doesn’t escalate into anything more sinister.
This whimsical episode, featuring a monkey sporting a flair for cinematography, has captivated a global audience on TikTok. The selfie even went viral, with @justinefortemps cheekily assigning it as her profile picture. The comments section is a treasure trove of humor, with one user quipping, “Is this The White Lotus Season 3?” while another comments on the monkey’s filming prowess, jesting that the simian knew just how to capture its good side.
The spot where it all unfolded, Khao Toh Sae, is a prime location, celebrated for its mesmerizing sunset views and vibrant monkey and squirrel populace, attracting tourists eager for an immersive natural encounter. Luckily for Justine and her companion, their escapade ended with laughter and no injuries—not all can say the same. A cautionary tale comes with the account of a Swedish traveler, who, in a different monkey encounter at Lop Buri’s Phra Prang Sam Yot temple, ended up needing medical intervention after a monkey bite.
This playful yet slightly chaotic adventure is now immortalized in the annals of social media. With hashtags buzzing and people clicking, it’s a joyful reminder of the unpredictability and charm of travel. One thing’s for certain—it’s not every day a story about a monkey with aspirations for TikTok stardom comes along. Yet, when it does, it reminds us of why we travel: for the unexpected encounters, the laughter, and the memories that last a lifetime.
This video is hilarious! Monkeys are so cute but can be little thieves. How did the phone survive?
Honestly, Justine should be grateful the monkey didn’t throw it off a cliff!
Right?! I can’t believe it chose to take a selfie instead!
I went to Monkey Hill last year and saw the same thing happen to someone else. It’s almost like a rite of passage now.
Rite of passage or not, these monkeys are way too comfortable around humans. We should maintain some distance for safety.
I agree. It seems fun until someone gets seriously hurt.
Isn’t it bad for these animals to be so humanized? We’re affecting their natural behaviors.
Good point. It reminds me of how feeding wildlife can disrupt ecosystems. Funny video, but there’s a darker side here.
Come on, lighten up! It’s just a playful encounter, and everyone ended up laughing!
Does anyone else wonder why the monkey didn’t mess up the phone more?
Such a dream to visit Thailand. Seems like these chaotic little encounters make for the best stories.
Thailand is amazing but watch out for the monkeys, Brian!
Was anyone else worried about the monkey? Was it safe?
Tourism needs a reset. These experiences highlight our irresponsible interaction with wildlife.
It’s not all negative. Awareness brings change too, doesn’t it?
As long as people learn, yes. But they need to act responsibly.
LOL @ the idea of monkeys using social media. Planet of the Apes is real!
In a way, it mirrors our own tech dependency. Monkeys mimicking humans ironically raises a crucial point about technology addiction.
Deep thoughts over a simple monkey video… but fair enough!
The fact that the phone got returned and everyone had a laugh is wonderful. Such wholesome content.
Agreed, Sophia! It’s nice to see pleasant interactions like this amidst all the chaos online.
I hope someone adopts that monkey. It clearly has a future in filmmaking!
Adopting wildlife isn’t the solution, though. It ought to stay wild!
You think this could have been staged? Seems almost too perfect a story.
This story is amusing, but what if the monkey had harmed her? Managing wildlife in tourist spots should be stricter.
What a quirky reminder that travel’s unpredictability creates the best memories. Always something to keep sniffing out!
I’ve been to Lop Buri, so hearing about the temple incident from the other guy, I can relate to the fear and excitement.
Lop Buri is on my bucket list! Need to prep for some monkey antics, clearly!
Asia has such diverse wildlife interactions. This one is funny but points to larger issues needing attention.
Good point, Tom. Balance between engagement and protection is key.
That monkey had better photography skills than some people I know.