Ask question

What should I do after accidentally hitting a dog in Thailand?

accidents involving pets dog owners responsibility Thailand traffic rules expat advice Thailand legal implications Thailand animal welfare in Thailand visa implications for foreign workers

May 10, 2024

7 months ago

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Last night I had the misfortune to run over a dog. I am sad for the dog and sad for its owner- just a shitty situation all around.  

What are the rules surrounding this? We live in an ally and when entering the dog was laying in the roadway. (I believe it is an easement for a third property). The dog eventually got up to run away, but turned and went under the wheel. :(

Both parties are farang.

Dog doesn't belong unattended in the road, but I am willing to help some with the vet. But the guy is talking about needing to not work for 6 weeks to take care of the dog.

12,260

views

27

likes

271

all likes

89

replies

1

images

55

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The situation revolves around an expat who accidentally hit a dog lying in the road, leading to discussions about responsibility, legal implications, and the owner's demands for compensation. Responses suggest the dog owner may be attempting to exploit the situation, with many comments emphasizing that the driver is not legally liable for the dog's care or any time off work required by the owner. The consensus is to offer to pay for the vet bills directly if needed but to avoid admitting fault or compensating for time off work. There are also insights into local law enforcement's likely indifference and the challenges of navigating pet ownership in Thailand.

Aaron *******

The mistake you made is offering to pay anything. That's construed as an admission of fault by the dog's owner. Now he is pushing it for more. If facts are as you stated, you are not at fault, thus pay nothing. Offer to pay nothing. "No good deed goes unpunished."

Like

Reply

Jeffrey *******

Go to hospital and explain how you are depressed and have a traumatic experience. Need meds, can’t take care of yourself.

Dog owner responsible.

Car tires need replacing.

Money for blessing at temple for car and new tires. Maybe get new car too.

Like

Reply

Shauna ******

The owner of the dog is liable for any damages to the vehicle. If you feel morally obligated help. Otherwise you are not at fault here.

Like

Reply

Brian ********

A couple things. Six weeks off of work for a falang means they need a work visa. If they don't have one, you have them by the proverbial cajones. If they do have one, I don't think they can go without working for 6 weeks, in which case you have them by the proverbial cajones. Offer half the vet bill paid directly to the vet and hang the visa over his head.

Like

Reply

Kev *********

don't pay 1 baht.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kev *********

Reply

Michael **************

I would pay the 6 weeks and no vet bill but he would be subject to spare of the moment visits to make sure he is attending to dog

****

if he is not there when you visit you do not pay

Like

Reply

Vera **************

The new law,, fines up to 40 000 and jail up to 3 years ( from memory ) if you intentionally kill. In your case Sounds like a genuine accident . It is not surprising reading idiotic comments from all the idiots most of whom not only do not live in Thailand but have any compassion what so ever. As a human being , which you appear to be , offering to pay half or some of vet bills is sufficient enough from legal and from moral point of you. If other guy wants more than that, tell him to take you to court. Note police will not take any action Neither will the courts. Pay directly to hospital and keep the proof. Yes some Thai in this instance would try to extort money , but all it is , is an attempt to extort

Like

Reply

Michael ********

Let us know the outcome

Like

Reply

Julie ******

Dogs must be on a leash

Like

Reply

Anita ******

It was an accident. I would maybe pay half the vets bills. But not for him to have 6 weeks off !!!

Like

Reply

Kev *********

.no no no.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kev *********

Reply

Shannon ********

Man. Tell this guy to f off

Like

Reply

Chrisna **********

Ask for the vets DIRECT bank details.. not the owner.. you want the vets bank details. Also in future, drive slower, it will avoid incidents like this and give you time to brake in time. Good luck.

Like

Reply

Ricky ********

The owner should not leave his dogs on the road. Don’t give him anything. He is obviously stupid and lazy. Reverse over it next time.

Like

Reply

Ross ***********

interesting to know vets Bill

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

So the update on this... My Thai lawyer, irritatingly, did not write back- it's as though he has other things to do on the weekend... But I went down to the police station to get some perspective too. If they wind up officially involved I suspect they will try to arbitrate some kind of cost split to keep the peace, but OFFICIALLY roads are for cars not dogs. Potential Gray area in that it's an easement, not a public road- but the law specifies public or private road (technically an easement isn't either one, but I'm confident it is covered).

I plan to offer him a small something mostly to assuage my own guilt- I am sad that there is sadness- but I suspect the conversation is going to go off the rails as A) he is very upset and B) sort of telegraphed he is a bit skeezy... As time goes on I am more and more angry that I now have this emotional burden because he is a shitty dog owner. I'm a sensitive guy. Shrug. My plan is to avoid the whole concept of him being a knucklehead unless he escalates. Wish me luck I guess

Like

Reply

Kev *********

@Jack ***************

offering any kind of recompense may be seen as accepting responsibility. DON'T DO IT.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kev *********

Reply

Simon *******

His the dog owner paying towards any damage to your bike and compensation for the anguish it has caused you..

It's not your fault in any yes I feel for the dog for ha is an irresponsible owner.

Like

Reply

Terry **********

So if the guy needs 6 wks off work to look after the dog, I hope he's got a work VISA.

Like

Reply

Brian *******

If you believe that he must take 6 weeks off of work, I have a lake in desert that I can sell you

Like

Reply

Michael *******

It’s a suck …….help with the vet bills and move on

Like

Reply

Kev *********

@Michael ******

no. Don't give 1 baht. It's a sign of liability

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kev *********

Reply

Tim *********

I don't know a country where working people take weeks off work to nurse a pet. And this one simply won't do it unless you're daft enough to pay him to. Seriously, it's not your fault and the dog is not your responsibility.

Like

Reply

Dan ********

I knew a girl in London, kept taking days off for her 'house rabbits' various ailments and a fortune in vets bills. And then when the fucking thing died, Jesus. She would have settled for two weeks grievance leave. I had to voice my opinion. And then she came back to work, having instantly bought an identical rabbit. "Get fucking insurance this time" I said. "You know what Boulbs, that's a fucking good idea" 🤣

Like

Reply

Reply to

Dan ********

Reply

Kev *********

Tell the owner to fk off. Don't offer to help with vet's bills it's not your responsibility.

Like

Reply

Kev *********

If a dog chases a motorbike and bites the rider or causes an accident, see who claims ownership then? Eh? Not my dog 😂

Like

Reply

Kev *********

First hand experience. If you deliberately ran the dog over you must compensate owner 20,000 baht. If the dog ran in front of you and ended up being killed. You have no responsibility. My landlord is a lawyer and gave me this information when i killed a dog. The owner asked me to take the dog to a vet but I refused. I didn't want to get landed with vet's bill. The owner had a car.

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

good data thank you.

Like

Reply

Kev *********

@Jack ***************

welcome.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Kev *********

Reply

Jody *******

You shouldn't talk about his wife that way though... :/

Like

Reply

Larry *******

Two times I’ve had dogs run into my front wheel at a90 degree angle. One time involved a trip to the hospital and a CT scan. Never thought of asking the irresponsible owner to pay for medical expenses. For those who don’t ride bikes in Thailand you can’t possibly understand the sheer number of uncontrolled dogs.

Like

Reply

Kev **********

tell him to get stuffed. Falang; is he being guided by the money grabbing Thai family probably, Any accident with a falang is your fault in their book, they probably don't give a shit about the dog,,

Like

Reply

John **********

Tell him to piss off and don’t continue any further dialogue with the prat!! Galls me when people try to exploit a relatively innocuous situation, if he wants to pursue it further he’s on a loser!! And he knows it!!

Like

Reply

Albert *******

He can take a whole year off if he wants , just YOU don’t pay for shit . And if it’s a problem just go to the police and ask if you’ll need a lawyer. Don’t waste time playing peoples silly money games

Like

Reply

Kevin *******

If you get bitten by a dog owners are supposed to give you 300 baht and an egg ! My son and wife scarred for life ! Wife got nothing ! A teenager came past our house on a motorbike kicked my dog in the mouth and got a scratch ! Mom came down demanding 300 baht mother-in-law gave her 200 still bitching about it ! I wouldn't have given them anything!

Like

Reply

Lynnette *******

he wasn't bitten. He injured the dog. He's doing the decent thing and offered to help pay vet not the dogs owner.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Lynnette *******

Reply

Lynnette *******

You've injured the dog. You've offered to do the right thing and help pay vet bills. You don't need anyone else's permission or approval. Just confirm the offer and say you'll pay direct to vet. That's it.

Like

Reply

Mika ********

@Lynnette ******

exactly this !

Like

Reply

Reply to

Mika ********

Reply

Kevin *******

Like

Reply

Kevin *******

Lol take them both the vets and have both of them put down ! doggone!

Like

Reply

William ***********

As soon as dude mentioned 6 week’s unemployment pay it was time to ride off into the sunset.

Like

Reply

John ********

.. anyway, about your visa...

Like

Reply

John ***********

I feel sorry for the dog and only hope that someone takes some responsibility for its welfare.

Like

Reply

Garry ********

Not your fault mate and the farangs should realise this, I have dogs everywhere where I live I'm zig zapping all over the road to avoid them it drives me insane. 1 dog per family is enough in my opinion especially if you can't afford to feed them, I know this sounds harsh and against thai culture to put them down,,, but 🙄 what do you do?

Like

Reply

Russell *****

I have an idea. Conflict is settled. We are all upset now over this dog, a potential child according to

, as a solution he can pay all of us a 6 week holiday so we can mourn the dog, kick a kid if we so choose, and watch porn, eat hummus and masterbate. Sorry you hit the dog

@Jack ***************

! Be at peace over it, that’s of course you weren’t finger banging the phone like you were accused of lol. Pava Scotty you’ve won the internet today. Take a day off…paid of course thanks to Eoin

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Pava Scotty word.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jack ****************

Reply

Julie ***********

Absolutely no way should you be liable for the owner of said dog to take time off work, think they are taking advantage of the situation. You've offered to help pay for vets bills etc and that should be it, but I would also say you want to see copies of invoices from vet before you part with any cash, and pay vet direct if you must.

Like

Reply

Peter *********

BBQ

Like

Reply

Marco *******

Just keep it moving it's his responsibility to make sure the dog ain't all Over the place, give him nothing.

Like

Reply

Robin ********

Ignore the fool

Like

Reply

Juls ******

The guy lived obviously long time here...😅

Like

Reply

Sumudu ***********

That's great that you want to help the mutt - terrible that someone is trying to exploit the situation

Like

Reply

Mark *****

Bloody dogs causes more accidents here, I blame the low educated owners 😕

Like

Reply

Jeff *********

dogs and Thai culture…. I will never understand 😳

Like

Reply

Mark *****

, I was a dog lover before moving to Thailand

Like

Reply

Jeff *********

definitely not a good place to live if you’re a dog lover. we have 3 all adopted from the landfill outside the village, all healthy and happy 😃

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jeff *********

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

he is an Aussie 555

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jack ****************

Reply

Jeff *********

The owner of the dog should be paying you for undo stress!!

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

there is quite a bit of that.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jack ****************

Reply

John ********

Makes a good green curry 🍛

Like

Reply

Jeff *********

Is this a joke?

Like

Reply

Diane **********

Speak to the tourist police about that. They were asking to let them know about any ' extortion' or unsavory demands. They will also help with negotiations between the parties.

Just a thought,

Like

Reply

Michael ********

There fault if the dog is allowed to roam on street. You can check that with local orbortor not the police (i had issue with guy down road dogs) although with two farangs not likely they will be interested

Like

Reply

Marty *********

I live in a farming village. Lots of dogs sleeping in the road day and night. They are used to motorbikes driving around them. With the car I have to be careful. Still, there are several dogs limping around on three legs. I wouldn’t be the first.

Like

Reply

Steve **********

@Marty ********

ask the police what the Kings position is on Soi dogs.

No I won't tell you, the police have to.

Like

Reply

Christopher ***********

@Marty ********

Dogs seem to manage perfectly well on three legs. Two like that in my Soi.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Christopher ***********

Reply

Phil ********

If the guy was that concerned about his dog then he shouldn't have left it in the street.

Tell him you will go

*****

on the vets bills, take it or leave it would be my response.

Like

Reply

Damo ***********

and the more he complains and tries to negotiate.. change it to

*****

..

Like

Reply

Peter **********

I wouldn’t even go

*****

, but assess the damage on the car and tell the owner he may praise the lord that I won’t sue him for the damages of the car.

Like

Reply

Christopher ***********

More than reasonable! Time off work is taking the Mick.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Christopher ***********

Reply

Duncanc **********

What employer would grant 6 weeks leave for this?

Like

Reply

ธารา ********

@Duncanc *********

For a Thai employer they would fire you for taking one week off.

Like

Reply

Reply to

ธารา ********

Reply

Damo ***********

Let the guy take as much time off work as needed to look after his dog. You are not obligated to pay anything to him if he chooses to take time off work!

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Damo **********

just block the crazies

Like

Reply

Steve **********

@Damo **********

don't use logic....you lose

Like

Reply

Damo ***********

@Steve *********

if your comment is going to make any sense at all.. you are saying for him to pay the guy for taking time off work! Think before you comment.

Like

Reply

Steve **********

@Damo **********

a fool would pay a guy to take time of work for this incident.

I believe I said ' use logic '

Like

Reply

Damo ***********

@Steve *********

you are all over the place.. cya 👋

Like

Reply

Steve **********

@Damo **********

...?

Are you 12. Or just not an English reader ?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Steve **********

Reply

Mark ***************

I also need six weeks off

, can you help please?

Like

Reply

Johann *********

@Mark **************

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark **************

I was thinking about this a few minutes ago. Even if there is a legitimate need for the dog to be monitored in this way- them cancelling "6 clients a day for 6 weeks" is probably not the right answer when you can pay someone 300 baht a day (probably less) anyway. Shrug. The guy was/is upset. None of us do our best thinking under duress.

Like

Reply

Mark ***************

That's a generous way of thinking about it Jack, yeah, what you say is true about thinking under duress.

Thai dogs seem to specialise in lying out in the road, if I had 100B for each one I've driven around bla bla bla... bad luck to have one turn under a wheel though, commiserations here

Like

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark **************

I am of two minds. It reminds me of Luis CK bit about "of course there should be peanut warnings". I slowed down, but did not stop. If I could go back I could've avoided it. But if you stopped to wait for the dogs to get out of the road you would never get anywhere. There is a sort of silent negotiation that happens where the dog, depending on how entitled he feels or how strong his survival instinct is, slowly gets out of the way. This was that, except the dog panicked and made a U-turn and ran into my wheel. It's fucked up. But of course OBVIOUSLY the owner shouldn't let the dog roam unattended. If I'd been on 2 wheels with one of the kids there would be violence happening.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jack ****************

Reply

Marty *********

This seems like one of those situations where a Thai policeman dispensing justice at the scene of the accident seems appropriate.

Like

Reply

Ben **********

@Marty ********

thai cop..

"You have problem with dog?"

Thai cop shoots dog.

"Now, no problem with dog"

Like

Reply

Steve **********

sadly...true !

The dogs 'owner ' needing a two week paid vacation, needed ..........

Well, you fill in blank

Like

Reply

Reply to

Steve **********

Reply

Jack ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Marty ********

so this is actually interested... I went to the police box to try and get an understanding before the conflict escalates... It was VERY difficult to get a straight answer. They were very invested in trying to mediate. The cynic in me suspects it was the potential to pocket a commission. But at face value it felt like they were interested in finding the right solution even more than applying the letter of the law.

Like

Reply

Marty *********

@Jack ***************

Yeah! It’s a strange thing to an American but, on reflection, avoids a lot of court cases and seems to dispense a measure of justice. It’s totally ripe for abuse but is used frequently in Thai society. Even if you pay the policemen - whatever, it just seems fast and convenient. I have no idea how this would play out between two farangs and an injured dog though.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Marty *********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Should I accept the offer to use my girlfriend's brother-in-law's car while in Thailand considering insurance implications?

50 comments

3 months ago

Where can I find a reliable live-in nanny for my dog in Thailand?

27 comments

4 months ago

What are the work visa options for part-time teaching in Thailand, and how can I avoid stray dogs while traveling?

4 comments

4 months ago

What advice do you have for moving to Thailand with senior dogs and navigating the challenges involved?

25 comments

5 months ago

What insurance companies in Thailand have a good reputation for helping after motorcycle accidents?

59 comments

6 months ago

Do I need to apply separately for my dog's visa extension when extending my own visa in Thailand?

14 comments

8 months ago

What are the regulations and experiences regarding bringing prohibited dog breeds into Thailand?

51 comments

9 months ago

What happened at the pedestrian crosswalk on Jomtien Beach, and how do expats view driving safety in Pattaya?

13 comments

a year ago

What are the implications of not having motorcycle insurance in Thailand following an accident?

66 comments

a year ago

What should I know about bringing a service dog to Thailand as an expat?

60 comments

a year ago

What are the legal, financial, and visa implications of joining an estate committee in Thailand as an expat?

5 comments

a year ago

How can I prepare for moving to Thailand with my dog as a Canadian expat?

36 comments

a year ago

What are the best practices for traveling with a dog to Thailand, especially regarding cabin vs. cargo hold options?

65 comments

a year ago

What should I do if I've overstayed my visa in Thailand and need to re-enter quickly?

31 comments

a year ago

How can I bring a dog from Japan to Thailand?

1 comments

2 years ago

What should I do if I get bitten by a stray dog in Thailand?

175 comments

2 years ago

How Can Expats in Thailand Find Information on Legal and Lifestyle Matters?

62 comments

2 years ago

What pet euthanasia services are available in Chiang Mai, and what are the legal considerations?

5 comments

2 years ago

What should I do if I encounter reckless drivers in Thailand?

12 comments

2 years ago

Will the Thai woman's insurance cover damages to my motorbike after an accident where she was at fault?

100 comments

2 years ago

What should expats know about moving to Phuket with a dog regarding food prices and import policies?

3 comments

3 years ago

What should I do if I break down while driving in Thailand?

43 comments

3 years ago

What do I need to know for importing pets to Thailand, specifically for dogs?

6 comments

4 years ago

How can I find a Chihuahua to adopt in Thailand after losing my dog?

20 comments

5 years ago

What are the policies for bringing a service dog or pet into Thailand for retirees?

21 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.