Bringing a pet to Thailand · By country
Bringing a pet to Thailand from the UAE
The UAE–Pattaya corridor is common for Gulf expats. The Thai import side is standard; MOCCAE export paperwork and your airline are where to confirm first.
Last updated 30 May 2026
This guide was last reviewed in May 2026. Thailand's Department of Livestock Development, airlines and origin-country authorities change their rules without notice. Treat this as orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD, your airline and your origin-country authority before you book or travel.
The UAE side of the paperwork
Follow the standard steps — microchip, rabies and the other vaccinations, the health certificate and the DLD import permit. For export from the UAE, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) requires an export permit, an ISO microchip, valid vaccinations (including rabies) and an official veterinary health certificate endorsed for export. Some emirates and airlines add their own rules — confirm with MOCCAE and your airline before booking.
Planning the return to the UAE
If you might take your pet back to the UAE, study exporting a pet to the UAE before you leave — MOCCAE import permits, vaccination timing and breed restrictions in some emirates all need lead time. The UAE generally does not require a rabies titer test from Thailand, but if you might move on to the EU, UK or similar, having the titer test done early keeps that option open.
Official sources
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].
Frequently asked
Does the UAE require special paperwork to export a pet to Thailand?
Yes. MOCCAE requires an export permit, microchip, vaccinations and an endorsed health certificate. Confirm the current detail with MOCCAE and your airline for the emirate you are leaving from.
Is there quarantine when I bring a pet from the UAE to Thailand?
Thailand's standard import process applies: with correct paperwork, most pets clear the Animal Quarantine Station inspection on arrival rather than entering long quarantine. See our guide to pet quarantine in Thailand for what that means in practice.