A neighbour's dog bites you as you walk past the gate, or a dog let out by its owner chases you down the soi. In Thailand this is not just bad luck: the law lets the person bitten claim compensation from the owner, and in some cases the owner also commits a criminal offence. The same rules apply whether you are Thai or a foreign resident. This guide covers what to do first, your civil rights, the criminal penalties and the deadline to watch.
First steps after a bite
Health comes before law. Thailand's Department of Disease Control advises washing the wound gently with soap and water for at least 10 minutes, applying an antiseptic and seeing a doctor for rabies vaccination, then completing every dose on schedule. Rabies has no cure, but the vaccine prevents it.
Once you are safe, start collecting evidence. Negotiations, police reports and lawsuits all depend on it.
- Photograph the wound on day one and during treatment.
- Photograph the dog and note the place, date, time and the house or person it belongs to.
- Get names and phone numbers of witnesses. If there is CCTV nearby, ask to see it before the footage is overwritten.
- Keep the medical certificate and every receipt for treatment, vaccines and travel to the hospital.
- If you lose income while recovering, keep proof of your earnings.
The owner's civil liability
Section 433 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code says that when an animal causes damage, the owner, or the person who keeps it on the owner's behalf, must compensate the injured person.
The key point: you do not have to prove the owner was careless. The owner escapes liability only by proving that they took the care that was reasonable for the kind and nature of the animal and the circumstances, or that the damage would have happened even with such care.
If someone wrongfully provoked the dog into biting, the owner who paid you can recover the money from that person (Section 433, paragraph two).
Because the rule targets the owner or keeper, knowing whose dog it is matters. If nobody admits owning the dog, the case becomes harder, so talk to a lawyer before suing.
What you can claim
| Damage | Legal basis |
|---|---|
| Medical treatment, vaccines and other costs caused by the injury | Section 444 |
| Loss of earning capacity, during recovery and in the future | Section 444 |
| Non-monetary damage such as pain and scarring | Section 446 |
Example (hypothetical) Daeng sells goods online and earns 1,000 baht a day. A neighbour's dog bites her leg. Treatment and vaccines cost 6,500 baht and she needs 5 days to recover. She can claim 6,500 baht in medical costs plus 5 × 1,000 = 5,000 baht in lost income, 11,500 baht in total, and can also ask for compensation for pain, which the court sets according to how serious the injury is. She has to prove the figures with receipts and evidence of her income.
Many cases end with the owner simply paying. If you reach an agreement, put it in writing with the amount and the payment date.
The owner may also face criminal charges
- Letting a dangerous animal roam: anyone in charge of a fierce or dangerous animal who negligently lets it wander alone in a way that may harm people or property faces up to 1 month in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both (Criminal Code Section 377). This offence exists even if the dog has not bitten anyone yet.
- Negligently causing bodily harm: up to 1 month in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both (Section 390).
- Negligently causing grievous bodily harm: up to 3 years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both (Section 300).
- Negligently causing death: up to 10 years in prison (Section 291).
You can file a report at the police station covering the place where it happened. Bring the medical certificate, photos and witness details. If the public prosecutor takes the case to court, you can ask the court to order the defendant to compensate you within that criminal case (Criminal Procedure Code Section 44/1), without filing a separate civil lawsuit. Police and court documents are in Thai, so a foreigner may want a Thai-speaking friend or a lawyer to help.
The 1-year time limit
A claim for damages from a wrongful act must be filed within 1 year from the day the injured person learned of the wrong and of the person liable, and no later than 10 years from the incident (Civil Code Section 448). In dog bite cases you usually know whose dog it is on the first day, so the year often starts then. Long negotiations do not always stop the clock. If the year is nearly up and you still have no agreement, see a lawyer straight away.
If you own a dog
Prevention costs less than compensation. Keep fences and gates closed, use a lead outside the home, keep vaccinations up to date and keep records of the care you take, because under Section 433 it is the owner who must prove reasonable care. If your dog bites someone, help them get treatment and talk calmly. That usually settles things faster than an argument.
Get help from a lawyer
If the injury is serious, the bills are high, the owner denies responsibility or the deadline is close, a lawyer can assess your damages and choose the right route. On Lawmanee you can post your case for free and interested lawyers reply in the platform chat, or find a lawyer by case type, province and language.
