HUNDREDS of monkeys in Thailand were seen fighting over a single banana after the coronavirus caused a massive drop in tourists that would normally bring them food.

Footage shot in the Lopburi district in the centre of the country shows the animals scramble over and attack one another.

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5 Hundreds of monkeys in Thailand were seen fighting over a single banana Credit: Viral press

5 The coronavirus has caused a massive drop in tourists that would normally bring the monkeys food

5 Even locals seemed taken aback by the behaviour

Large groups can be seen running across a road and targeting each monkey that manages to get hold of a banana.

Even locals who are used to the animals' behaviour seemed shocked by their ferocity.

Onlooker Sasaluk Rattanachai, who captured the scene from outside a shop where she works, said: ''They looked more like wild dogs than monkeys.

"They went crazy for the single piece of food. I've never seen them this aggressive.

''I think the monkeys were very, very hungry.

"There's normally a lot of tourists here to feed the monkeys but now there are not as many, because of coronavirus.''

Lopburi is home to thousands of wild monkeys that roam the streets and buildings, many living in the grounds of the district's ancient Buddhist temples.

Wildlife across the country is a strong draw for the 35m tourists that visit every year and account for around 20 per cent of its economy.

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But the global outbreak of coronavirus has seen tourism numbers decimated around the world.

Only 59 cases have so far been confirmed in Thailand, but tourist arrivals have plunged by around 44 per cent.

5 The Lopburi district is home to thousands of wild monkeys that live in the grounds of its ancient Buddhist temples