PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN — A 76-year-old Swiss tourist was bitten by a dog on Bang Saphan Beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand, highlighting a year-long unresolved issue of aggressive dogs owned by a foreign resident.
On August 19, Mr. Rolf, a 76-year-old Swiss national residing in Moo 1, Phong Prasat Subdistrict, Bang Saphan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, along with local residents, filed a complaint through the media. They reported being chased and bitten by dogs owned by a foreigner while exercising on Ban Suan Luang Beach. They want relevant authorities to seriously address this issue.
The Swiss man, who works abroad and regularly visits Ban Suan Luang Beach for three months each year, encountered the incident while walking on the beach around 5 p.m. on August 15. When he came across about six dogs with their foreign owner, one dog immediately bit his right leg, causing injury.
When he tried to record a video clip of the dogs, the owner said, “Don’t report this to the police; it’ll become a big issue. I’ll pay for your medical treatment.”
Rolf stated that he’s not concerned about medical expenses but doesn’t want this to happen to other tourists. He urges relevant authorities to seriously manage and solve the problem to reassure tourists, as Ban Suan Luang Beach was once a famous tourist destination but now feels unsafe.
Investigation revealed that the Phong Prasat Subdistrict Administrative Organization had sent a letter to Mr. Mathias, the dog owner, on December 6, 2023, instructing him to address the issue and control his pets to avoid disturbing the public. However, Mr. Mathias didn’t comply with the local officials’ recommendations, so the Subdistrict Administrative Organization will proceed with further action.
An Australian named Roe, who has been visiting Bang Saphan since 1997, reported that dogs at Suan Luang Beach never caused problems before. However, in recent years, he’s noticed collared dogs barking at and chasing people, discouraging many from walking there. He also observed the owner behaving aggressively towards his own dogs, which made the dogs more aggressive towards people and other dogs.
On January 3, 2024, Miss Songyeon Lee, 48, a Bangkok resident, filed a police report at Bang Saphan Police Station. She was barked at by six dogs while walking on the beach og Ban Thung Nun Lang around 6 p.m. on January 2. When she used a stick to defend herself, Mr. Mathias approached and berated her, frightening her.
Sam, 74, who owns a house and restaurant near the beach, regularly encounters Mr. Mathias’s six dogs and has experienced significant trouble. The dogs have bitten children playing nearby and cats in the area. He fears that if tourists stop coming due to safety concerns, local businesses will lose income. He appeals to the police, especially the superintendent of Bang Saphan Police Station and the district chief, for help.
Ms. Sunan, 51, a local resident, said that 2-3 years ago, people often organized beach cleanup activities. However, since last year, she hasn’t dared to participate due to a foreigner’s dogs that frequently chase and bite locals on the beach.
“I’ve contacted the police, Phong Prasat Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and the District Damrongtham Center, but so far, no action has been taken. This owner still lets his dogs roam the beach, affecting others,” she said.
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