A 6-year-old boy died on Saturday after being attacked by a long-tailed macaque his grandfather had kept as a pet since it was an infant.

Ekkarat Sichan was savaged by the monkey in Sichon district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, according to police. 

The young boy was rushed to Sichon Hospital after the attack, but died soon after. He was a first-grade student at Ban Khao Yuan Tao School, according to news reports. 

He was attacked by a macaque tethered beside a village grocery store owned by his grandfather Jaroon.

The monkey was tied with a long rope strung between two trees, with a wooden beam allowing it to climb and move around.

On Saturday morning, 6-year-old Ekkarat reportedly walked past the monkey and was suddenly attacked. 

Reports said the monkey grabbed and bit him, causing severe injuries to his chest and leg.

Police said the monkey remained tethered at the same location as the investigation continued.