
PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN — A conflict between a Swiss dog owner and locals and tourists in Prachuap Khiri Khan province has resurfaced. The issue, which hit the headlines in August 2024 after several complaints of dog attacks, flared up again when a foreign tourist visited the area and saw the owner still walking his aggressive dogs on the beach.
On January 23, 2025, Thai and foreign tourists gathered with residents of Suan Luang Beach to lodge a complaint with officials of the Pong Prasad Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Bang Saphan district. They reported that Mathias, a Swiss national living in Thailand, had returned to Suan Luang Beach with his dogs despite having previously been ordered to remove the animals from the area while legal proceedings were ongoing.
Local residents provided video evidence showing Mathias walking four dogs; two large and two small, along the beach without a leash or collar. When Mathias realized that people were recording him, he seemed indifferent. The video also shows tourists and locals, including children, standing still for fear of another attack.

Mr. Thip Ruenkasem, 56, who recorded the video, said the dog attacks on Thai and foreign tourists have significantly affected the region’s tourism revenue. “Since the first dog attacks, visitors have been reluctant to come to Suan Luang Beach because they fear for their safety. This complaint aims to find an explanation as to why Mathias is allowed to violate the orders and continue to bring his dogs here,” he explained.
He added: “The Pong Prasad SAO has already ordered Mathias to remove his dogs from the area to prevent further incidents until the legal case is resolved. Yet he brazenly returns, walks his dogs and even taunts the authorities by gesturing towards the cameras while evidence is being recorded. This behavior seems like a blatant disregard for Thai law.”

Mr. Rolf, a 76-year-old Swiss tourist, told us that he was bitten by one of Mathias’ dogs last year. After the incident, he only stayed in Thailand for two months before returning to his home country. When he learned that the authorities had banned Mathias from keeping his dogs, he was very relieved. However, when he returned to Thailand, he was shocked to see Mathias walking the same dogs on the beach.
“This incident raises serious questions about how Mathias is still allowed to bring his dogs here. What legal action can be taken to protect locals and tourists and restore trust? If this continues, we could face the same problems again,” said Rolf.

Mr. Thanachai Buachuang, president of the Pong Prasad SAO, acknowledged that the problem has been going on for a long time. The SAO had mediated discussions between the victims and Mathias, as well as with various stakeholders involved, and had taken action in accordance with the law. Mathias’ lawyer filed an appeal, after which the Department of Health, Zone 5, in Ratchaburi launched an investigation. The investigation found that there were no aggressive dogs in Mathias’ house, only two small dogs, which led to the case being dropped.
The SAO conducts regular inspections, but Mathias allegedly hides the dogs when health officials visit him. When the aggressive dogs are found, the SAO wants to enforce the original order to remove them. However, Mathias has always managed to evade such measures, which has led to the ongoing complaints.
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