Phuket Town man arrested over alleged dog abuse

Police arrested a Phuket Town man on 5 November 2026 after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing him abusing a stray dog.

Worawit Sunthorntat, also known as “Home”, was arrested at about 11am at Wat Thaworn Khunaram, also known as Wat Saen Suk, off Soi Saphan Hin, police said. The arrest followed complaints about his treatment of dogs in the area.

Police said Worawit admitted he was the man shown in the video. The footage reportedly showed him striking a dog with a stick and tightening a clothes hanger around its neck. During questioning, he said he had used the hanger to restrain the stray because he intended to take it to a nearby pond for a bath, according to police.

The video drew wider attention after social media posts identified the man as someone frequently seen around Nimit Circle, known as Seahorse Roundabout, and Wat Saen Suk. The posts also reportedly showed him carrying a knife, with what appeared to be a bladed weapon visible in his bag. Residents and pet owners expressed concern that his behaviour could endanger people as well as animals.

Atittaya Suwannamanee, 30, identified publicly as “T”, lodged a complaint on behalf of the Soi Dog Foundation. The complaint concerned an alleged assault that injured a stray dog in the parking area of the Grocery Department Store in Talat Yai. The dog received medical treatment and is now in the foundation’s care.

Police said Worawit was initially charged with animal cruelty without reasonable justification. He also faces an additional charge related to drug use following a urine test. The arrest was conducted by Phuket Police investigators and patrol officers under the direction of station chief Pol Col Chatree Chukaew.