PATTAYA, Thailand – A couple’s relaxing squid fishing trip turned into a nightmare after their vehicle was allegedly severely damaged by a pack of stray dogs at a private parking lot near Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya. The incident, which occurred on October 2nd, 2025, was shared in a viral Facebook post by Apisit Pienkasikum, warning others about the unexpected hazard.
Apisit, 37, told The Pattaya News about parking his red Ford Raptor pickup truck at a private parking facility near Bali Hai Pier in around 5:00 PM on the day in question to catch a boat for a squid fishing excursion. The couple paid 100 baht for non-overnight parking and returned to shore around 11:00 PM. Upon reaching their vehicle, they were shocked to find a pack of at least 10 stray dogs surrounding it, with some emerging from beneath the truck.
“When we approached, I shouted to scare the dogs away, not thinking much of it,” Apisit told reporters. However, upon starting the vehicle, multiple warning lights flashed on the dashboard, indicating failures in the steering, gearbox, brakes, hill-start assist, charging system, and various sensors. The electric gear system was also locked, preventing the truck from shifting into neutral. Stranded, Apisit had to arrange for a tow truck, which transported the vehicle to a service center at 3:00 AM on October 3rd.
Initial inspections at the service center revealed extensive damage allegedly caused by the dogs: severed main wiring harnesses near the gearbox, damaged ground and steering wires, and torn fender liners and wheel well insulation. The estimated repair costs neared 100,000 baht, though Apisit’s first-class insurance covered the expenses. “I was stunned. I’ve never experienced anything like this,” he said. “If I didn’t have insurance, I’d be out of pocket, and no one would take responsibility.”
Apisit also captured video evidence of one dog aggressively climbing another parked vehicle, highlighting the animals’ disruptive behavior. He urged Pattaya authorities and relevant agencies to address the stray dog problem to prevent similar incidents, especially for tourists visiting the area.
Reporters visited the parking lot near Bali Hai Pier to investigate but found no stray dogs present. The lot’s caretaker informed them that the dogs, which roam the nearby Buddha Hill area, typically appear in the mornings and evenings when locals feed them. The caretaker claimed this was the first such incident, as previous issues were limited to rats damaging wires. They assured reporters that staff would now monitor parked vehicles more closely to prevent future occurrences.
Apisit’s post has sparked discussions about stray animal management in Pattaya, with many calling for better control measures to ensure the safety of visitors and their property.
Meanwhile, The Pattaya News notes the report has drawn furious conflicted debate on social media, with some people asking to remove the stray dogs and others claiming the dogs could have never possibly damaged the truck and that something else must have happened.
