A 76-year-old Swiss tourist was bitten by a dog on Bang Saphan Beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand, bringing attention to an ongoing issue of aggressive dogs owned by a foreign resident in the area. The incident occurred on August 15, when Mr. Rolf, who spends three months each year in the Moo 1, Phong Prasat Subdistrict, encountered a group of about six dogs while walking on Ban Suan Luang Beach around 5 p.m. One of the dogs, under the control of a foreign owner, bit Mr. Rolf on his right leg, resulting in an injury.
Following the incident, Mr. Rolf attempted to film the dogs, prompting the owner to approach him and suggest, “Don’t report this to the police; it’ll become a big issue. I’ll pay for your medical treatment.” However, Mr. Rolf, who works abroad and regularly visits the beach, expressed that his primary concern is not the medical expenses but the safety of other tourists. He urged local authorities to address the issue to restore the beach’s reputation as a safe and popular destination.
The problem of aggressive dogs on Ban Suan Luang Beach has been ongoing for over a year, with multiple complaints from both locals and tourists. On December 6, 2023, the Phong Prasat Subdistrict Administrative Organization issued a letter to the dog’s owner, identified as Mr. Mathias, instructing him to control his pets and prevent them from disturbing the public. Despite these warnings, Mr. Mathias failed to comply, leading local officials to consider further action.
Concerns from other residents have also surfaced. Roe, an Australian who has been visiting Bang Saphan since 1997, noted that the beach’s dog problem has worsened in recent years. He mentioned that while dogs at Suan Luang Beach never caused issues before, they have recently become more aggressive, barking at and chasing people, discouraging many from visiting. He also observed the owner’s aggressive behavior towards his own dogs, which seems to have contributed to their hostility.
Further incidents have been reported, including one on January 2, 2024, when Miss Songyeon Lee, a 48-year-old resident of Bangkok, was barked at by six dogs while walking on Ban Thung Nun Lang Beach. After defending herself with a stick, Mr. Mathias allegedly confronted and intimidated her, leading her to file a police report the following day.
Local business owners are also feeling the impact. Sam, a 74-year-old who owns a house and restaurant near the beach, reported frequent encounters with Mr. Mathias’s dogs, which have bitten children and other animals in the area. He expressed concern that if the situation is not resolved, the loss of tourists due to safety concerns could harm local businesses.
Ms. Sunan, a 51-year-old resident, recalled that beach cleanup activities were once common in the area, but fears of being chased or bitten by the dogs have kept her and others from participating in the past year. Despite repeated attempts to seek help from the police, the Phong Prasat Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and the District Damrongtham Center, she reported that no effective action has been taken, and the dogs continue to roam the beach, creating a persistent threat to residents and visitors alike.
It was reported that local authorities are now under increased pressure to address the situation, given the growing number of complaints and the impact on the community. The unresolved issue of aggressive dogs continues to be a source of concern for both residents and tourists in Bang Saphan.
