Koh Phangan Dog Poisonings Continue After Years of Unsolved Cases

Koh Phangan Dog Poisonings Continue After Years of Unsolved Cases

Animal welfare groups on Koh Phangan are warning residents after another suspected poisoning incident killed several dogs and left others requiring veterinary treatment near Ban Tai Beach. Local groups reported finding poison concealed inside pieces of chicken meat placed along the beach, prompting warnings for owners to keep pets leashed and prevent them from scavenging. Community posts suggest similar incidents have repeatedly occurred in the area since at least 2022, with residents estimating that more than 50 dogs may have died, although that figure has not been independently verified. Residents say numerous police reports have been filed and legal assistance has previously been sought, yet no suspect has been identified or charged. Deliberately poisoning an animal can carry up to two years in prison and a 40,000-baht fine under Thailand’s animal cruelty laws, with additional criminal penalties possible when an owned pet is targeted.