How the Ministry of Sound founder and a DJ is helping save stray dogs in Thailand

Ministry of Sound James Palumbo DJ Mike DowerPHOTOSHOT/ PH

Ministry of Sound founder Lord Palumbo and DJ Mike Dower with a stray dog in Thailand

Known as “The Land Of Smiles”, it is popular thanks to its golden sand beaches lined by palm trees, delicious food and friendly welcome.

But there is also a darker side to the tropical paradise, with an animal welfare crisis that has spiralled out of control and left an estimated 8.5 million abandoned dogs roaming its streets searching for food.

As a Buddhist country, Thailand does not believe in putting animals to sleep, so many end up starving to death. Others are maimed after being hit by cars or are illegally smuggled across the border to use as meat in Vietnam.

As a nation of dog lovers British holidaymakers are often shocked to see the sheer number of malnourished canines when they leave their luxury resorts on islands like Phuket and Koh Samui, or explore the capital city Bangkok.

Mike Dower stray dogs ThailandPH

Mike is moving to Thailand to run the dog sanctuary

Some people might say the problem is too big for us to make a difference but you have to start somewhere

Mike Dower


Now Lord Palumbo, the founder of the Ministry Of Sound music empire and a major donor to the Liberal Democrats – he was created a life peer in 2013 – has decided to open a rescue centre in the Thai countryside to help these abandoned dogs with the assistance of friend and DJ Mike Dower, who is moving to Thailand to run the sanctuary.

Seven years ago James bought 50 acres of farmland in Nakhon Nayok, a two-hour drive north of Bangkok and the home town of his best friend Rawipim Paijit, who he lives with in London.

After building several Western-style houses on the land where her brother and sister live, the pair started taking in abandoned dogs scavenging at nearby temples and farms.

Mike at the University Hospital in BangkokPH

Mike at the University Hospital in Bangkok

James, 54, says: “Rawipim is Thai and a dog lover like me. We often travel to Thailand together. Over the years we bought farmland in her home town Nakhon Nayok. Eight-and-a-half million dogs live on the streets in Thailand, looking for food from temples, farms, wherever they can.

“Over time our farm became home to 20 or so of these dogs. Opening the rescue centre was an extension of this.”

There are 170 times the number of stray dogs in Thailand than the UK but its dog charities receive less than 10 per cent of the funding of those in this country.

Mike, 38 says: “Some people might say the problem is too big for us to make a difference but you have to start somewhere.”

Having spent 15 years as the IT manager for the Ministry Of Sound nightclub in south London, and entertained thousands of the club’s revellers at weekends as DJ King for a decade, Mike enjoyed a jet-set lifestyle performing in Europe, Australia and the US.

James PalumboPHOTOSHOT

James Palumbo was created a life peer in 2013

During several holidays on the party island Koh Pha Ngan he got to know a stray dog, Suzi – who had lost an eye in a fight with another dog – and began taking care of her while he was staying there.

During his last trip two years ago Mike discovered a cataract in her remaining eye, which he knew would leave her blind and facing certain death from starvation or attack by other dogs. He and a friend, Steve Pitron, used their own money to adopt her and bring her back to Steve’s home in south London.

After hearing this story, James approached Mike to consider moving to Nakhon Nayok to run a rescue centre on his land.

“About a year ago he found out that I had rescued and adopted Suzi, so we started talking about the project and I researched the scale of the problem and what could be done,” Mike explains.

“[James and Rawipim] had the idea of helping ease the suffering of street dogs on their land but did not know how to take it further, so I went around Thailand for two weeks doing research and came back with a plan for the rescue and rehabilitation centre.”

In February Mike moved to the farm in Thailand full-time to run Bon Jardin Dog Rescue & Rehabilitation as a charity.

“Bringing Suzi back to the UK sparked the need in me of wanting to do more to help more dogs,” he says. “Seeing how she could be brought back to health was rewarding.”

So how have his friends and family reacted to his sudden change in career? “They were a bit shocked at first but they have been very supportive, they love what I’m doing. They like seeing the change in me and the good work we are doing.

“I still love music and wasn’t tired of being a DJ but it was something I was willing to sacrifice. They see I am looking at the world in a slightly different way.

“Living in London you get caught up in your own world, you can become a little bit selfish. I am becoming more open, a lot more caring.”

Recent success stories at the centre include Buddy, who was found hiding in a toilet at a temple after being badly mauled by other dogs.

Sumlee was shot by a farmer after attacking his chickens and left partially paralysed.

Mike with rescued dog Susie, who is blindPH

Mike with rescued dog Susie, who is blind

A surgeon in Bangkok removed the bullet from next to Sumlee’s spine and he now has a wheelchair to support his back legs, allowing him to get around the farm more easily, rather than having to drag himself along the ground.

“That has definitely been our saddest case to date but the outcome has been rewarding,” says Mike.

The centre has now started crowdfunding to ensure its work can really have an impact.

“We need a lot more money to expand what we are doing, which is why we have started crowdfunding to take it to the next level and potentially help thousands of dogs,” explains Mike.

As well as taking in starving and injured animals to rehabilitate, they want to run a mobile sterilisation and rabies vaccination clinic to help up to 1,000 street dogs over the next 12 months.

Mike at the Bon Jardin Rescue & Rehabilitation centre in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand PH

Mike at the Bon Jardin Rescue & Rehabilitation centre in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand

After donating 2,500 square metres of land to Bon Jardin, as well as the initial funding to set it up, James will continue to provide business advice to Mike.

Baron Palumbo of Southwark, son of property developer Peter Palumbo – also a peer – says: “Although a charity, it’s like starting a business and my role focuses on this end of things. This is a long-term project. We really want to make a difference, the charity will have to be built piece by piece. This will take time and persistence on my part.”

James has a rescue dog at his home in London, Buttercup, a dachshund/terrier cross who he describes as being “fanatical about running”.

Thailand might seem a long way away but as a nation of dog lovers Lord Palumbo hopes people will support Bon Jardin.

“A dog is a dog wherever it lives in the world,” he says. “Thai dogs desperately need our help.”

For more details, or to make a donation, visit bonjardin.com