Bangkok, Sep 22 (IANS): A troop of long-tailed macaques in Thailand's capital Bangkok has been relocated after residents complained the monkeys were breaking into their homes and stealing food, the media reported on Tuesday.

Nipon Chotiban, director-general of the department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation, said that 60-100 monkeys were relocated from Bang Khunthian district to Pantainorasingh Wildlife Sanctuary in Samut Songkhram province, the Bangkok Post reported.

Bang Khunthian is home to about 300 long-tailed macaques, which are facing the twin threats of urban expansion and coastal erosion. Due to decreasing forest area, the monkeys had to scavenge through rubbish and steal food from people's houses.

State agencies held two public hearings, in August and last week on the problem. Residents agreed that relocating the monkeys was the best solution, Nipon said.

Another reason to relocate the animals was they also posed threats of attack to the local residents, the official said.

The department has worked on controlling their numbers after thec sharp increase over recent years.