Before purchasing property in Thailand, potential buyers with domestic animals may have questions like how to bring a pet to Thailand, how to prepare a dog or cat for the relocation, what documents are needed for the flight? A common myth is the so-called restrictions on pets. In practice, the ban on importing pets into Thailand only applies to unvaccinated animals. In this post, we will answer frequently asked questions.
Content:
- Specifics of moving to Thailand with pets
- About vaccinations
- Chipping
- Pet passport
- Certificate
- Airport
- Summing up
Specifics of moving to Thailand with pets
Let's say you decide to buy an apartment in Thailand and have already found out all the intricacies of purchasing real estate and moving to this country, consulted with lawyers and realtors and made a checklist for further actions.
But what about pets? After all, you are planning to move with a cat or dog, which you cannot leave behind under any circumstances. But bringing pets into Thailand without all the necessary documents and procedures is not permitted. We recommend making a separate checklist as you will be faced with many tasks, but all of them are quite doable.
Foreigners should begin organizing the transportation of a pet no later than a month before the departure date. It is necessary to prepare for the trip both your animal friend and the documents required for entry.
The most important thing before the flight is to get vaccinated, since the 2024 rules for entering Thailand with animals do not allow pets to be transported without appropriate vaccinations. As for mandatory documents, the list includes the following papers:
- passport of the passenger who owns the companion animal (or the person who will meet the pet if it is flying on a cargo plane);
- pet passport;
- information about vaccinations and chip number;
- veterinary certificate confirming that the animal is healthy (for example, there is an international veterinary certificate for cats);
- transportation permit confirming that the animal is healthy.
All these documents for bringing a dog to Thailand and other pets will be needed directly on the day of departure. Some of them will have to be issued in advance, in particular, a vaccination certificate. In a separate block we will tell you in detail which domestic animals will need which vaccinations.
Once you have received your vaccination and microchipping certificates, you will need to submit an application to transport your pet to the Thai Ministry of Livestock Development. For the application, you will need:
- form R1/1 (on transportation of an animal);
- photo of the animal;
- vaccination certificate in English;
- microchipping certificate;
- copy of the owner's passport.
An entry permit will be emailed to you within 3 working days. If ministry employees have additional questions, they will contact you within the specified period.
About vaccinations
The list of vaccinations depends on the type of domestic animal. However, any vaccinations must be taken at least 21 days before departure.
The following vaccinations are required for dogs:
- against rabies;
- against leptospirosis (an infectious disease that can affect almost all organs);
- against the plague;
- against hepatitis;
- against parvovirus and adenovirus infections.
The rules for bringing cats into Thailand in 2024 require the following vaccinations:
- against rabies;
- against calicivirus (a virus that affects the respiratory tract and mucous membranes in the oral cavity);
- against viral rhinotracheitis (disease of the respiratory system);
- against panleukopenia (affects the stomach, intestines and bone marrow).
We also note that rabies vaccinations are given strictly after microchipping.
Chipping
The procedure is mandatory to cross the border. The chip contains all the information about its carrier. The chip itself must be certified. Do not be afraid, as the installation procedure is painless, and the pet will not experience discomfort. On contrary, the chip will only bring benefits later. For example, your beloved animal can be found using a chip if it is lost.
Advice: after microchipping, ask vets to read the chip several times, preferably with different devices. It is important to make sure that the chip is working correctly.
Otherwise, if the fact that the chip cannot be read becomes clear during the move and your pet cannot be allowed into Thailand, you will have to go through the procedure again.
Pet passport
Thailand's 2024 Animal Import Regulations require a passport. This document is issued at a veterinary clinic after all necessary procedures have been completed. The passport must contain a special mark - a sticker with the clinic's seal, which will confirm that the animal can be transported.
Certificate
An export certificate for transporting pets to Thailand is issued at the Veterinary Control office. This is a document issued by the competent authorities of the exporting country, which confirms that the pet meets the requirements of the importing country.
Regulations for transporting animals to Thailand include ensuring the safety and health of the local population. An export certificate is a verified document issued based on chip verification. It must be translated into English, which can be done directly at the airport in the veterinary control office or first at the border veterinary control point. With an international certificate, you can transport a cat or dog to Thailand as easily as to any other country.
Airport
What you need to know about flying with a dog to Thailand or a cat.
Each airline has its own requirements regarding transportation. There are various restrictions. They usually relate to the maximum weight or size of a pet that can be taken on board as well as the breeds that are allowed on board.
How to fly a dog to Thailand?
- You must first check with the airline whether your dog can be carried in the cabin or only in the cargo compartment of the aircraft (please note that there are breeds that cannot be transported in the cargo hold, these include brachycephalic breeds. These are, for example, pugs and bulldogs as well as other dogs with flattened muzzles. In general, flying is contraindicated for them, but if there is an urgent need for travelling by plane, this can only be done in the cabin. Owners of such breeds should additionally consult with vets before traveling to assess the risks).
- If, according to the rules of your airline, it is possible to transport a dog to Thailand in the cabin, it is important to clarify whether a carrier is needed or whether it is possible to buy a neighboring seat and place the pet there.
- If a carrier is needed, then choose one that is as strong and reliable as possible, especially for use in the cargo hold of an aircraft. It is important that the carrier is not damaged when loaded on board, and your dog cannot open or chew it.
- Be sure to take care of the pet’s comfort and provide it with water and food as well as toys and warm bedding.
- When bringing a dog to Thailand, it would be a good idea to attach a note in two languages to the carrier in the cargo compartment asking you to be more careful with it. Perhaps airport staff will pay attention to your request.
For transporting a cat to Thailand, you should follow the same instructions. Find out the maximum size and weight of the cat for the flight in the cabin, take care of food and water, etc.
Optionally, you can ask your vet in advance whether you should give your pet a sedative before the flight so that it does not get too nervous. You can also check whether additional medications should be given depending on your medical condition during the flight and upon arrival in Thailand. Keep in mind that the animal, like you, may have an acclimatization period.
When booking a seat, you must notify the airline that you will be flying with a pet: seats in the cabin for passengers with animals are usually limited. How to pay for the transportation of your cat or dog is also worth checking with the airline.
Airport in Thailand: what awaits people with pets upon arrival?
Foreigners arriving in the country with animals will have to stay at the airport a little longer than usual. The rules for importing dogs into Thailand in 2024 as well as other animals require documents to be checked by the department of animal husbandry development: they will check all certificates and permits. The procedure will take at least half an hour.
If all documents have been completed correctly, you will need to pay a fee of $32. After this, you can go through customs.
If you have previously brought a pet into Thailand and have kept the customs receipt, you will need to show it. If not, you will be required to pay a customs check, which is $9. It is important to save it to show it when you next arrive in the country.
Summing up
Can you bring your dog to Thailand? Yes, you can, just like a cat. The rules for importing dogs into Thailand as well as other pets do not provide for a ban. However, foreigners are required to provide a package of documents for their animal friends. Although it may seem to you that buying a villa in Thailand is easier than arranging all the paperwork for a pet, if you follow our tips, you can deal with this task without any problems.
In addition, almost all veterinary clinics know about the nuances of transporting cats and dogs to different countries and will help owners navigate exactly what documents will be needed to move to Thailand. The main thing is not to do this at the last moment, leave yourself enough time to meet the deadlines required by Thai law.
And if you need help choosing an apartment or villa, contact our specialists. We will find your dream home for you and your pet. Our real estate platform offers the latest property listings only from trusted developers and private owners.
If you are not planning to purchase real estate yet, you can find apartments for rent.