Pepper spray in Thailand?

Is pepper spray legal to buy and own in Thailand? Where can it be bought, and what is it called here?

I've re-started a fitness routine, and so far it is long walks on the sois and streets of Jomtien. I want to escalate that to running/jogging. The problem is: soi dogs.

Even on the normal walk to get to Beach Road, I pass a dozen or so dogs -- for the most part, the very same ones day in and day out -- and every so often one gets in a cranky mood and snarls, growls and crouches down as if to attack. Next walk, the same dog is indifferent again. Go figure. Maybe they are moody, too?

Anyway, I fear (and my doctor confirmed my fear) that when I start running, I will up the ante and aggravate the dogs much more and will have them chasing me. And, since these dogs are not solitary, but cluster around in packs, I fear canine mob rule will take over with me as the prey.

So, I'm looking for something less lethal than a gun to use to repel any such attack. Pepper spray came to mind as the more "humane" way to repel the canines. I'm open to other suggestions, though. Any serious ideas?

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You can buy pepper spray at the pharmacy counter in Foodland, Central Pattaya Road. Small green and black can called Cannon Anti-attack. Accurate to around 3 metres, only effective when used on the face / eyes / nose; very effective (and non-lethal), the effect will last for several minutes.

[Sen Yai]

......or get one of those ultra-sonic dog whistles - the sort that emits a very high pitched tone that is inaudible to humans.

But make sure your get one that repels, rather than attracts, or you'll have the whole neighbourhood of soi dogs after your arse!

I have never seen these for sale in thailand, but would not recommend them even if available. Trials in UK (for the Post Office!) showed that they attracted as many dogs as they repelled and that they were ignored by most dogs. Go with the pepper spray, as it also works on people if needed!!

GF, thanks for the info. I don't think I would have guessed a *grocery store* would sell it, much less at the pharmacy counter!

Now, just to make sure, pepper spray will affect a canine attacker as effectively as a human, right? And, pepper spray is not lethal nor damaging to a dog any more than to a human, right? I really don't want to kill or main an animal which is only trying to defend its territory, but I want an effective attack repellent.

I think I'll pass on the dog whistles. I can't see how they would stop a dog already focused on attack. It probably would only frighten the timid ones.

Pepper spray is actually more effective against dogs than people, as long as you hit the eyes / nose / mouth - dogs obviously have a far stronger sense of smell than people, so the nose is the most sensitive target; it also affects the mouth / tongue more than people, as dogs sweat though their tongues not their skin (so spraying on the skin does not affect dogs, while it does affect people through their sweat glands).

It is not lethal and will have no long lasting affect - although dogs sprayed will definitely remember you! As long as you hit the target you will only need to use a very short spray (a second should be enough); try a couple of "test sprays" first to check range/accuracy, but make sure you do it outdoors, in an open area away from people, as the smell will linger.

[Brad the Impala]

It is not lethal and will have no long lasting affect - although dogs sprayed will definitely remember you! .

Perhaps they'll get reinforcements for the next runby!

Although this thread may lead to some extra business for Foodland (with whom I have no business interest!), and I can understand the interest in personal safety, I cannot help thinking that it is rather sad that there have been more views of this thread than that on the current state of HIV / Aids in Thailand. I hope, around Christmas, that we are not suffering from some sort of "over exposure syndrome".

[Smiles]

" ... Now, just to make sure, pepper spray will affect a canine attacker as effectively as a human, right? And, pepper spray is not lethal nor damaging to a dog any more than to a human, right? I really don't want to kill or main an animal which is only trying to defend its territory, but I want an effective attack repellent. Pepper Spray, on the other hand, has the effect of putting a brick wall in between the assailant and the sprayer ... "

How very odd.
A newbie poster (ian154 with 2 posts in total) comes here ... resurrects a 4-year old post (from Dec 2005) ... copy & pastes most of a reply by the original starter (bkk gwm) ... adds a small and innocuos sentence of his own ... adds a link in his Profile ('Pepper Spray') ... and then ... ?

I haven't clicked on the link, and maybe you shouldn't either.

[Dodger]

bkkgwm:

I'm looking for something less lethal than a gun to use to repel any such attack.

You could try strapping an Uzi to your back ...just kidding.

Jogging through an area that you know is infested with knarly soi dogs, especially in the morning hours when they're hungry, is something you may want to re-think, and I would cross the pepper spray off your list immediately. All you'll do is piss them off and end up getting your ass chewewd off in the process.

The park around Buddha Hill is great...no dogs...serene setting in the morning hours...and some great eye candy along the path. If that location doesn't work for you, try jogging along the beach front like everyone else, but whatever you do, don't try to play the gay Rambo bit or we'll be reading about you in the papers.


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