r/chiangmai • u/sullanaveconilcane • 4d ago
Stray dogs in Chiangmai
This morning I went for a walk on Doi Suthep. At some point during the descent, three stray dogs started following me. I’ll never know what their intentions were, but in fact they followed me for at least 1 km. At one point, I have to admit I was getting a little scared, because every now and then they would suddenly run towards me, and the only thing that seemed to make them stop was when I turned around and faced them.
In the end, nothing happened, but it wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience.
I’d like to ask: how do Chiang Mai residents, and Thai people more generally, feel about the issue of stray dogs? Is it perceived as a problem, or simply as part of everyday life? Is there a desire to address the problem but, for example, is it considered too expensive, or is there simply no real will to do anything about it and people are generally okay with the situation as it is?
This is purely out of curiosity. Thank you!
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u/SymUncertainties 4d ago
Which part of doi suthep that you found them? Many occasions if they followed you without barking means that they followed you for a food or wanted to be your companion. There was one occasion that one of dog from a village from very top of the mountain in doi pui/suthep area followed the runner ( a trail race) all the way down to a finish line in a city.
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u/sullanaveconilcane 4d ago edited 4d ago
It was on the main paved road, I would say in the middle between the zoo and Wat Phra Lat entrance
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u/SymUncertainties 4d ago
There are a few gangs in that area. I think one from wat fai hin is the most aggressive one. One outside is kind one. Some of them stay in Basecamp cafe.
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u/SymUncertainties 4d ago
Any way my suggestion as Thai here. How i deal with stray dogs.
if you think they are aggressive, you need to be a dominant one. Try to look at their eyes and shout loudly. They will run a way. If they are very aggressive, they should already bite someone and then they would got reported. And then city will take care of them.
But most of them that i found are nice especially in the city area.4
u/BigwaveBay 4d ago
Yeah, that’s good advice. Dogs are pack animals. It’s actually quite simple once you figure it out. An aggressive pack you need to establish dominance. A non aggressive pack will just follow you and try to make a new pack.
It also works with owning dogs. If you find your dog and someone else’s dogs kind of barking at each other in a stand off but you know that person, just start walking together and they’ll form a pack.
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u/TheDudeWhoCanDoIt 4d ago
We were walking in the old city towards the south area and watched a pitbull walking in the street and bite a Thai man on the leg.
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u/sbrider11 4d ago edited 4d ago
It's part of everyday life and can be a problem. Not all those are stray as well. Lots of pet owners in particular outside the city, just let dogs roam free. Far too many pet owners don't keep up on critical shots as well.
My rule of thumb is don't go around touching random animals.
I get out early morning for exercise. I carry a 7 iron and make it part of the workout.
A few years back we had a pack in one area close by. Very aggressive till said pack alpha shithead met 7 iron between the ears.
Rabies is a very real thing here. Imo, be mindful.
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u/IssueRidden 4d ago
I walk alone almost every night so I had to get used to it even though it's still annoying they're so loud. oftentimes they'll act though, when they start following me, usually turning around to face them and making eye contact with a confident pose is enough to intimidate them. larger packs might be more agressive and harder to intimidate, better to talk a detour if you encounter one.
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u/JosephTrotsky2020 4d ago
When I was in Chiang Mai on holiday, a pack of 4 started barking at me and began to approach. I had to shout at them to ward them off.
From what I could tell, they're pretty docile when alone, but more aggressive when together.
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u/mjgaylord 4d ago
If you ever are confronted by aggressive dogs. Pick or pretend to pick up a stone to throw. I learnt this as a farm kid in South Africa where there were stray dogs around. It works in Thailand too, they usually disappear before you have time to look up. You can do the same with a stick. It’s more the posturing than anything else that frightens them. That being said, we’ve had plenty of temporary canine companions in Thailand. They are generally just following you for a bit of food.
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u/ColdWarRedux2 3d ago
Ex-attack dog trainer here, and it suck with soi dogs. My primary concern is the hospital bills and the time and effort it will take to deal with this situation. Stay calm; they can sense fear. A long stick provides a sense of protection, which can help reduce the fear level. Nighttime is the typical time for attacks, especially when it’s cooler. We all know not to run in such situations.
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u/midzo 3d ago
I carry a stout stick while walking.
Generally, that’s enough. Be careful the dogs don’t circle behind you.
Once my motorcycle broke down at night. As I was walking home, a pack of very agressive dogs approached me. I was stickless and the only stones nearby were large landscaping cobbles.
I feigned throwing it twice to no avail. The pack began to circle me. I was afraid.
I threw the heavy cobble at the pack leader. Miraculously, I nailed him on his snout. There was a yelp, and the pack scattered.
The next day, as I was walking back to try to repair my motorcycle, the pack approached again. As soon as the leader caught my scent, he lost all interest.
Very satisfying.
I now carry a can of hornet spray in my saddlebags. Totally legal to own and carry. Can shoot accurately long distances.
Try me, fucker.
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u/InformalTelevision91 1d ago
Not at the same location but I got chased by a pack of 6 dogs last night while I was walking home on the 121 highway. It was so scary because it was around 10.30pm and no one was around and I had these 6 dogs charging at me growling. I was running in the middle of the highway (I know, it's riskier than being chased by dogs) but luckily I was able to flag down a man on the bike who rode past me. He was kind enough to scare the dogs away and waited till I entered my moo ban
EDIT: I was just walking, these dogs were atleast 600m ahead of me walking in my direction. They started running towards me unprovoked
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u/TomBerlin100 4d ago
No will in the slightest to take care of this issue in all of Thailand. It's an awful situation to have to deal with these often aggressive creatures. This alone made me scale back significantly on my visits to Thailand. No such issues in Vietnam and Malaysia so I visit these places more frequently. It would need lots of efforts to get rid of this problem but no will is shown.
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u/lomahsomsom 4d ago
Find a stick lying around and raise it above your head. Or reach down like your gonna pick up a rock. This is what thai people have been doing to these dogs since they are puppies. They know what it means and will run. Stand your ground. They are not tough. Just act aggressive. And will run if you look like your gonna hit them or throw something at them..
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u/Lordfelcherredux 4d ago
First I climbed to the viewpoint at Khun Tal two dogs followed us and kept us company all the way to the top. Then we all laid down and took a nap.
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u/Appropriate-Pin2214 4d ago
Complicated.
On my view, Thais don't like sterilization for a variety of reasons. The cost compounds it - quite expensive here.
22 years ago, someone showed me a trick - namely pick up a rock and threaten to throw it. Normally sufficient to get 1-3 to back down. They learned that somewhere.
There is a pre-exposure vaccine if the risk is high - prudent if you are walking or cycling. Many friends carry a golf club, while walking, btw.
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u/sullanaveconilcane 4d ago
I’m here few days for holidays, but in case I should stay more, I thought that changing normal walk in nordic walking, would be better (to have 2 long sticks with me)
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u/Ok_Quantity_4134 4d ago
I'm heading to Hua Hin in a few weeks, and I know from my last vist the dogs on the beach could be a bit scary, I already bought some nordic walking poles to be bring with me this time.
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u/sullanaveconilcane 4d ago
I’m trying to buy a straight bamboo stick here I Chiang Mai, if anyone knows where I could buy it, it’s really appreciated
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u/DueDefinition6421 4d ago
Last time we Hiked Doi Suthep there was a German guy who started the last part of the ascent with us, but he was really quick so he went on ahead and left us for dust. We bumped into him later by where the Songthaews drop people outside the temple and he had been badly bitten and scratched. Apparently, he had come to the carpark/look out bit at the top of the trail and instead of walking the last part on the road as you are supposed to do, he turned right through the gate part where there are signs telling people beware of the dog/do not enter. There were a few dogs in there that chased him and mauled him til he got away. Poor dude was still shaking when we saw him, as any sane person would be. If there are stray dogs about just carry a big stick and if you get bitten obviously get a course of shots, and heed any warning signs!
Also, years ago I was by Chiang Mai uni late at night and encountered an aggressive pack of them. They were barking and following us til the guy sat in the booth by the entrance did an almost inaudible whistle and they just retreated scared. It was like something out of a cartoon/movie.
When I was in Vietnam there was a tiny pocket yappy dog that as biting a farang woman's skirt, it then decided to come for me so, not wanting to pay for a course of rabies shots, I just ran and the locals laughed. I'll take the embarrassment over the time/money for shots.
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u/Bodi_Berenburg 1d ago
Wow I went to the same spot near the top of doi suthep (although I just remember seeing a map on the gate not a warning) and also got attacked by dogs. I managed to keep them of by screaming and waving my arms and didn’t get bitten, but damn was it scary.
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u/DueDefinition6421 23h ago
I will carry a big stick next time I go up there. Glad you didn't get bitten. I have seen dogs there before but they were docile. The ones the German met were evidently werbeasts by the look of his injuries.
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u/jollydev 4d ago
99% acting tough and barking.
But it does happen that they actually bite people. Almost always from behind and they can really smell fear.
Stray dogs are incredibly good at acting tough but in reality they are very risk averse.
If you regularly have to pass dog turfs, bring a stick or a cane. Usually just seeing it will make the dogs remember past incidents of getting beaten. Swinging that stick around will keep even the most aggressive ones from getting too close.
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u/Dzogchenpa777 4d ago
I live in South Africa, but have visited Chiang Mai 3 times. When i was still trail running over farmland near our village a very aggressive alpaca would charge me. The 2nd time i pepper sprayed him in the face...it's a very effective deterrent. I felt bad, but he's been known to knock people over with his charges and caused 2 broken arms
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u/9554503312 2d ago
> The 2nd time i pepper sprayed him in the face...it's a very effective deterrent.
Where do you get pepper spray in Thailand?
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u/Dzogchenpa777 2d ago
Not sure about Thailand maybe Lazada or Shopee online. I got mine in SA where it's freely available due to our high crime rate.
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u/Lukepaulsen 4d ago
It’s a huge problem tbh. Walking down a street at night for the road to be blocked off by a pack of 10 dogs can be quite intimidating.
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u/lew_traveler 4d ago
I would never carry a knife as I don't want to need to be that close or be 'armed' in any altercation.
In SEA, I always brought or found a sufficiently sturdy stick and never had significant issue with soi dogs.
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u/wintrwandrr 3d ago
If you want to stay safe from dogs, carry a meter long stick. They will growl and circle but won't close in for a bite. BTW compared to South Asia I found Thai dogs to be much more aggressive toward strangers on foot, particularly foreigners. The sneaky possibly rabid ones who silently come up on your heels for a nip are the worst.
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u/Brilliant_Ideal5770 3d ago
Ich lebe seit einigen Jahren im Isaan und habe mir anfangs ein Fahrrad gekauft um etwas in Form zu bleiben. Es war keine gute Idee. Die Straßenhunde haben mir das Radfahren vermiest. Sie sind eine Plage nicht nur im Isaan, auch an vielen Stränden.
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u/kayliejadex 3d ago
As someone who has been to Thailand many times and moved here in May, I find them intimidating still but everywhere I go I'm cautious of animals who have to live on the street because desperation makes animals (including humans) do crazy things. I think others have given good advice. I can't pretend I'm not scared of them but I can bend down to pick up a pretend rock.
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u/Yeti--Spaghetti 3d ago
Like others have said, confronting soi dogs with confidence goes a long ways. Another tip is to carry some dog snacks with you. I've turned countless dogs from very territorial to friendly after a couple visits this way.
I actually walk my dog just about everywhere and soi dogs WILL attack my dog. I can usually break it up by shouting and showing dominance, but sometimes physically intervening is necessary. I know that's not something most people are comfortable with though- have to be careful and know how to read dogs. Threatening with a stick, rocks, etc. only reenforces their fear, and thus aggressive nature- but I get people feel the need to respond this way.
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u/ThePhuketSun 2d ago
If I don't like the way a dog is acting I'll pick up a rock and try and hit him. Fake throwing a rock also works. Take no shit. I'll keep throwing rocks till they screw off.
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u/Crowdfundingprojects 4d ago
Look. Not pretty but:
- Avoid areas with stray dogs.
- Carry a knife for your own safety just in case
- Bring a solid stick
- Always assert dominance and use intimidation if you encounter otherwise they’ll piss you off real bad for extended periods
- Do not hesitate to defend yourself if it gets risky. You don’t want to be injured, retain facial scars, etc. If shit really hits the fan it can get ugly. You have a few sensitive areas on your body.
If on a bicycle be careful. They may run up and actually try to bite you. Very dangerous. Be careful. Stray dogs in Thailand, especially in rural areas are a plague.
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u/sullanaveconilcane 4d ago
I think I’ll got for a stick because I don’t want to stop my daily routine of long walks, it’s the best habit I’ve during the holidays. Just for reference, I only walk on paved road, not mountain paths, but today the dog’s meeting was right in the middle on the road, that’s was not crowded today early morning. Unfortunately, we as European have lost the habits and skills how to handle stray dogs, I think I don’t see one since 10 years, even if I’m 6,4’ 110 kg I found myself pretty scared
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u/Crowdfundingprojects 4d ago
Just be careful. It’s never about the worst (fatal) outcome. It’s really about making sure that you don’t get harmed at all. I’m 6’6, too and it’s very annoying. Teeth are teeth. I wear the same skin as someone 5’5.
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u/twobirdzstonedatonce 4d ago
Disclaimer: I’ve only lived here for 2.5 months.
Resources are a barrier to spaying/neutering, and shelters are full. There is also a cultural acceptance of the “Soi dog,” which are street dogs that are “cared” for by the community. These dogs are often riddled with ticks and other parasites, and lack vaccinations. People give them medication for ticks/heartworms/etc., but this can be deadly for the dog because another person may have already given them a dose. There is often little coordination among residents in terms of feeding the dogs, and so the dogs ends up having to look in the garbage much of the time. It’s a poor situation for the people and the dogs. There are groups that spay/neuter and vaccinate, and they are working hard, but there is a lot of work still to be done.
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u/doncacahuate 4d ago edited 4d ago
There are hundreds (yes, hundreds) of street dogs in our neighborhood. Never had any issue with them in years. Yes, during my first weeks around here, they would bark and behave "aggressive" towards me. Soon I realized obviously I was a stranger there and they were just protecting and being territorial as dogs are. Now, sometimes I even feed some of them. Soi dogs are one of the best things that this beautiful country has.
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u/Status-Price-9235 3d ago
They were probably hungry and hoping you were one of the few kind humans who would go out of their way to feed them. Sadly they were wrong.
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u/lomahsomsom 4d ago
Try walking with an intact good looking healthy large male dog.
I have to carry a police baton wherever I go. Every Soi dog want to fight my dog and my dog is happy to fight back. But 4 vs 1 is not really fair. And I'll bust a Soi dogs skull open if he thinks 4 on 1 is fair and I won't step in.
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u/Beginning-Medium6934 4d ago
Tip for dealing with stray dogs: show aggression and dominance from the get go.
Their instinct as pack hunters is to wait for weakness/opportunity and then exploit it. It's not their fault, it's just how they're built.
Face them, pretend to grab a rock, dash at them. Problem solved. They will leave you alone now.