Flagship guide
Bringing your pet to Thailand
A dog or cat can move to Thailand with you — thousands do every year. It is a paperwork process with firm deadlines, not a quick errand. Here is the whole picture, then a page for each step.
Last updated 30 May 2026
The single most important thing to understand is timing. Between the microchip, the rabies vaccination and its 21-day wait, the health certificate and the import permit, a smooth move needs at least one to two months of lead time — and if you may later move your pet onward to the UK, EU or Australia, a rabies titer test pushes that to several months. Start early.
The process is overseen by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD). Below, each step has its own page. Read them in order.
Moving to Thailand with a pet usually sits alongside visa and relocation planning — for the human side of the move, see Pattaya Visa Help in the Pattaya Authority network.
This guide was last reviewed on 30 May 2026 against the Thai embassy pet-import guidance (revised January 2025), DLD Animal Quarantine Station contacts and published export procedures. Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD), airlines and origin-country authorities change their rules without notice. Treat this as an orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD, your airline and your origin-country authority before you book or travel.
Official sources to verify against: Thai embassy pet import guide (revised January 2025); DLD import application form R1/1 (via the embassy guide or DLD Animal Quarantine stations); Suvarnabhumi AQS import: [email protected].
Jump to
The process, step by step (7)
Import checklist
A printable step-by-step checklist for the whole move.
Step 1Microchip
The ISO microchip your pet needs, and why it must come first.
Step 2Rabies & titer test
The rabies vaccination, other required jabs, and the titer test.
Step 3Health certificate
The veterinary health certificate and who has to endorse it.
Step 4DLD import permit
How to apply to the Department of Livestock Development.
Step 5Airline pet policies
Cabin, checked baggage or cargo — and IATA travel crates.
Step 6Arrival in Thailand
The Animal Quarantine Station check, and getting to Pattaya.
Plan and budget (4)
What it costs
An honest breakdown of where the money goes, with rough ranges.
ArrivalU-Tapao or Bangkok?
Which airport to fly your pet into, and how to reach Pattaya.
DogsBring a dog to Thailand
Dog-specific vaccines, CDC notes and settling in Pattaya.
CatsBring a cat to Thailand
Cat vaccines, cabin travel and indoor life in Pattaya.
By the country you are coming from (26)
The Thai requirements are the same; what differs is who endorses your paperwork — and what you will need if you ever move your pet on again.
From the UK
Endorsement by APHA, and the titer test the return trip will need.
From the USA
USDA APHIS endorsement and the CDC rules for dogs.
From the EU
EU export paperwork and what the pet passport does not cover.
From Australia
Why this route is the hardest, and what it really involves.
From Canada
CFIA endorsement and planning for the journey home.
From Japan
AQS export paperwork and the rabies titer test for the return.
From Singapore
AVS export certificate and planning from a rabies-free origin.
From the UAE
MOCCAE export permit and the Thai import steps for Gulf relocations.
From Germany
EU export paperwork via the German veterinary office.
From Russia
The state veterinary certificate and the rabies titer test.
From Sweden
EU export paperwork via the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
From Norway
The export certificate and the tapeworm rule for the return.
From Denmark
EU export paperwork via the Danish veterinary authority.
From Finland
EU export paperwork and the tapeworm rule for the return.
From the Netherlands
EU export paperwork via the NVWA, with direct routes to Bangkok.
From France
EU export paperwork via the French veterinary services.
From Switzerland
The EU-aligned Swiss export process via the FSVO.
From Ireland
EU export paperwork and the tapeworm rule for the return.
From New Zealand
Straightforward export; the demanding part is the return.
From India
AQCS export certificate and planning from a high-rabies origin.
From the Philippines
BAI export paperwork and direct flights to Thailand.
From China
Chinese customs export and direct flights from major cities.
From South Africa
DAFF export certificate and planning from Africa.
From Italy
EU export paperwork via the Italian veterinary services.
From Malaysia
Short ASEAN corridor — DVS export and direct flights.
From South Korea
APQA export certificate and Bangkok routes.
More to read
Related guides on PattayaPets and sister sites in the Pattaya Authority network.