When I arrived in Bangkok the first thing I noticed was the sheer number of stray dogs peppered throughout the streets. Over the course of my trip I began to understand their way of life among the Thai people and their somewhat peculiar position in Thai society.
Buddhist beliefs states that dogs are the reincarnated souls of humans who misbehaved in a past life. The local people treat them with a certain neutrality. They are tossed the occasional piece of food and are generally left alone but veterinary services are few and far between for these strays.
The dogs themselves respond in a similar fashion. They are always present but keep their distance. Most are wary of people but some will accept the occasional pat on the head with a gentle bliss.
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These dogs can be found anywhere, from busy roads to temples
There are estimated to be over 300,000 street dogs, or "soi" dogs in Bangkok alone
Rather than killing the dogs, spay/neuter campaigns are gaining popularity in controlling their numbers
Most of the dogs can be found sleeping during the day to deal with the hot temperatures
They are commonly found near street vendors, hoping to win a piece of food
Organizations such as the Soi Dog Foundation aim to help these homeless animals and give them the lives they deserve
