Phuket's streets will be cleared of stray dogs after a young boy was attacked and seriously injured by roaming canines while collecting shells and crabs with his young friends in adjoining Phangnga province.

Phuket governor Pakkpong Thaweepat on Monday ordered officials to round up all stray dogs and confine them to animal shelters for the safety of local residents and tourists.

There are an estimated 700 street dogs on the island.

Yuenyong Chairab was attacked under the Sarasin Bridge in Takua Thung district of Phangnga on Sunday.

The 7-year-old was out with friends when they were chased by four stray dogs.

Yuenyong was overtaken by the dogs, which converged on him, biting him on the body, arms and about the head. He suffered severe puncture wounds and lacerations from his buttocks up to his ears. 

He was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital and placed on a ventilator. Doctors said he was in deep shock.

The hospital said the boy's condition was improving and it was planned to take him off he ventilator on Tuesday.

The four dogs were trapped and were being held in Phangnga and would be checked to see if they were carriers of the rabies virus.

The boy's mother, Lamphaen, registered a complaint at the Khok Kloy police station.

She said the dogs had been dumped near Ban Tha Noon by their owners. Villagers had seen them attacking pets and farm animals in the area, according to Naew Na Online. They had asked the village chief to tackle the problem, but nothing had been done, she added.