Soi Dogs

Soi Dogs

Not always an obvious risk to life and limb soi dogs can be the lurking danger. Often placid and even friendly in some cases they can 'turn' on the very farang who walks by on foot once they mount up on a bike.
Where the biker rides by at speed the dogs will often give up. In built-up areas where it's too risky to blast through is when the danger factor is cranked up. More than a few dogs in Thailand have a good knack as to if a bike is pursuable and will then give chase.

At the 20 - 65 kph mark is roughly when you're in the 'dog chase' zone. They'll snap and bite at your heels, if brave enough they might even try to leap up and bite your calf muscle. If a soi dog is trying for your calf you're options are limited.

Lashing out with your foot seems the natural thing to do, but you risk loosing balance and ditching your bike as your body weight shifts. It is unfortunate to note that one of our traveling companions, was badly injured by attempting this risky move.

Another option is to increase speed an outrun the hound (s). This can work, but don't bet on it being much safer than kicking out. Soi dogs rarely venture out onto highways where high-speed is useful.

Some say there is no real answer and they may be right. Short of a pillion passenger who is armed with a projectile weapon or rattan stick Soi Dogs remain a pesky problem for bikers.

Rabies is prevalent among some dogs in Thailand. There have been efforts in Bangkok to eradicate the virus but with little success. If bitten it's wise to seek a friendly doctor for some rabies shots. If possible kill or inform the police of which dog bit you. As long as you weren't trespassing on someone's property even if the dog is owned by a Thai you have a legal case against them to claim damages. You'd have to go down a potentially long-winded process which could take from a few hours to a few weeks. You make an demand for xxxx amount of baht for damages, they may haggle for xxx baht or even refuse outright. It becomes a horse trading game where the police mediate and usually take the bitten farangs side. Be patient and try not to lose your cool.