Pet Relocation · Dogs & CatsBring your dog or cat to Thailand — done right.
Pets are family, and moving one internationally is the part most people get wrong. This is the complete, honest walkthrough of importing a dog or cat into Thailand — the shared process, then a country-by-country guide for exactly how it works from where you're leaving.
← Relocation Hub
The process, in orderHow bringing a pet to Thailand works
Every country follows the same Thailand-side sequence. Get the order right — especially microchip before rabies, and the government endorsement well before your flight — and the rest is logistics.
- Microchip first. Thailand recognises the ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip. It must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination so the two records are linked — if you vaccinate first and chip later, some authorities make you re-vaccinate.
- Rabies vaccination. Your dog or cat needs a current rabies shot given after the microchip and (as a general rule) at least 21 days before travel and not expired on the travel date. Dogs also need core vaccines (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus); cats need panleukopenia, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis.
- Rabies antibody (FAVN/RNATT) titer test — confirm if needed. Thailand does not require a titer for every country, but it is strongly recommended and can be requested. If your route or airline needs it, the blood draw must usually be done well in advance, so check early.
- Government health certificate. A licensed vet in your origin country completes a veterinary health certificate close to departure (commonly within ~10 days of travel) confirming the microchip, vaccinations and that the animal is fit to fly.
- Official endorsement. That certificate must be endorsed by your country's competent government authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, UK APHA, an EU state vet) — this is the step travellers most often leave too late.
- Thailand import permit (R7). Apply to the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) for the import licence. Many owners arrange it in advance through the DLD e-service or via the Animal Quarantine Station at the arrival airport; bring printed copies of everything.
- Book the flight correctly. Small pets may fly in-cabin on some airlines; larger animals travel as manifest/excess-baggage cargo. Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds face cargo restrictions in hot months. Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK), which has the main Animal Quarantine Station.
- Arrival inspection. On landing, the DLD Animal Quarantine officers check the microchip, paperwork and the animal. If everything is in order Thailand does not impose a long mandatory quarantine — non-compliant animals can be detained, so the paperwork is everything.
- Settle in. Line up a pet-friendly home before you fly (many Bangkok condos restrict or ban pets), and know your nearest 24-hour animal hospital and vet for the first weeks.
Choose your countryCountry-by-country pet guides
Pick where you're moving from for the exact authority, endorsement step, rabies/titer guidance, airline notes and official links.
More countries on the way: France · Switzerland · New Zealand · South Korea · Taiwan · United Arab Emirates · Saudi Arabia · Qatar · Netherlands.
Common questionsFrequently asked
Does Thailand quarantine pets on arrival?Thailand does not impose a long mandatory quarantine for cats and dogs that meet all import requirements; DLD officers inspect the animal and documents on arrival. Animals arriving without correct paperwork, microchip or vaccination can be detained or quarantined, so compliance is what avoids quarantine. Confirm current rules with the DLD before you travel.
How many pets can I bring?Thailand commonly allows up to two pets per traveller arriving together with the owner; larger numbers may be treated as commercial and need extra approval. Verify the current limit with the DLD and your airline, as carrier limits per cabin/cargo also apply.
Can my pet fly in the cabin?Some airlines allow small dogs and cats (animal plus carrier under roughly 7–8 kg) in the cabin; bigger animals travel as manifest cargo in a climate-controlled hold. Policies vary a lot by airline and route — confirm directly with the carrier when you book.
Which airport should I fly into?Suvarnabhumi (BKK) has the principal Animal Quarantine Station and is the most established arrival point for pets. Confirm the clearance process for your specific flight and airport in advance.
Land softly — with your pet
Sort the import, then find a genuinely pet-friendly home and neighbourhood.
General information only — not veterinary, legal or customs advice. Pet import rules, fees and timelines change and are enforced at officials' discretion; confirm current requirements with Thailand's Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and your origin-country authority before booking travel. BAANLYY never takes paid placement.