Taking a pet out of Thailand · By destination
Taking a pet from Thailand to the Philippines
Manila is a common destination for Pattaya expats returning home. You need a BAI SPSIC before the pet leaves Thailand — valid 60 days — plus the standard DLD export on the Thai side.
Last updated 30 May 2026
This guide was last reviewed on 31 May 2026. Export rules — Thai DLD procedures, destination-country requirements and airline policies — change without notice. Use this as orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD and the destination country's authority before booking.
The timeline — Thailand to the Philippines
| When | Step | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 6+ weeks before | ISO microchip; rabies and core vaccinations (dogs: DHLPPi; cats: panleukopenia) | Thai vet |
| 4–6 weeks before | Apply online for BAI SPSIC (valid 60 days; max 3 pets per application) | BAI online portal |
| ≥15 days before export | Apply for Thai DLD export permit (form 1/1) with BAI conditions attached | DLD AQS |
| Within 10 days of departure | International veterinary health certificate (IVHC) endorsed for export from Thailand | DLD AQS + vet |
| 2+ weeks before | Book Bangkok–Manila flight; confirm cabin, hold or cargo | Airline |
| Arrival in the Philippines | Present SPSIC, IVHC and vaccination records to BAI at port of entry | BAI |
Thai-side export documents
| Thai-side document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Export application (form 1/1) | Apply at least 15 days before export to the AQS at your departure airport. |
| Destination import rules | Attach the destination authority’s import requirements (NOC, import licence, SPSIC, etc.) so the Thai health certificate matches. |
| Microchip & vaccinations | ISO chip and current rabies vaccination; many destinations also require a rabies titer test. |
| DLD export licence & health certificate | Issued after AQS inspection if paperwork complies. |
All of this sits on top of the Thai export process — the DLD health certificate and export permit — which your pet must clear on the way out. The two sets of paperwork have to agree.
What BAI requires on the SPSIC application
BAI publishes the current checklist at bai.gov.ph. Typically upload (PDF/JPG, <5 MB each):
- Proof of ISO microchip implantation.
- Vaccination and antiparasitic records (rabies at least 14 days before travel).
- Photograph of the pet.
- Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking (foreign importers: Annex C format).
- Pet at least 4 months (120 days) old.
The approved SPSIC must exist before the pet leaves Thailand. An SPSIC issued after departure is invalid. The IVHC must be issued within 10 calendar days before export and match the SPSIC details exactly.
Common mistakes
- Starting with Thailand only — destination import permits and tests are usually the long pole.
- Expired vaccinations — a lapsed rabies shot can void import clearance.
- Microchip mismatch across Thai export papers and destination import forms.
- Last-minute DLD export — applying inside the 15-day window when tests are still pending.
- SPSIC applied after departure date — automatic invalidation.
- IVHC outside the 10-day window or details not matching the SPSIC.
- Rabies too recent — BAI requires at least 14 days since vaccination.
If you came the other way, see our guide to From the Philippines (import).
Departing from Pattaya — airports, AQS and lead time
Most owners in Chon Buri export through Suvarnabhumi (BKK), roughly 90–120 minutes by road depending on traffic. U-Tapao (UTP) is closer to Pattaya and suits some regional routes, but your DLD export paperwork must name the actual departure airport — see U-Tapao or Bangkok for the import-side mirror.
Apply for the Thai export permit (form 1/1) at least 15 days before departure to the Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at that airport. In practice, allow more when destination import permits, titer tests or airline cargo bookings still need to align. Email [email protected] for Suvarnabhumi export questions and confirm your flight date at least three days before you fly — the same confirmation rule applies on import.
Keep digital and paper copies of every document in one folder: microchip number, rabies certificate, destination import approval, health certificate draft and flight booking. Mismatched chip numbers between Thai export papers and destination import forms are one of the most common reasons export is delayed at the desk.
When a relocation agent earns its fee
You do not have to use an agent, but many Pattaya owners do for complex destinations (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, Singapore). A good pet relocation specialist lines up three timelines that slip easily when managed alone: destination import rules, Thai DLD export endorsement, and airline cargo or cabin booking.
Agents cannot override law — they still need your pet vaccinated, microchipped and tested on schedule — but they know which AQS forms to submit, which vet clinics issue export-ready health certificates, and how to keep crate dimensions within IATA airline rules. Compare quotes from more than one agent; PattayaPets lists relocation businesses as directory facts, not endorsements.
If you self-manage, budget extra time for a pre-export vet appointment in Pattaya or Bangkok, a dry run to the airport AQS if you have never exported before, and a contingency night in Bangkok if your flight is early and the pet must check in hours ahead in cargo.
Official sources
Philippines sources: BAI — pet import procedures; SPSIC application via the BAI online portal (see BAI site for current link). Import mirror: bringing a pet from the Philippines.
Official sources to verify against: DLD export of live animals; Suvarnabhumi AQS export: [email protected]; UK pet travel; CDC animal import (USA); EU pet movement; Japan MAFF Animal Quarantine; Singapore AVS; UAE MOCCAE pet import; Australia DAFF; New Zealand MPI; India AQCS; Philippines BAI; China GACC pet entry; South Africa DALRRD import; Canada CFIA; Switzerland FSVO.
Frequently asked
Does the Philippines require a rabies titer test from Thailand?
BAI's current SPSIC requirements should be confirmed on the BAI portal. Thailand is not rabies-free. Upload full vaccination records with your application.
Who issues the Philippine import permit?
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) via the online SPSIC system. Apply before the pet leaves Thailand — validity is 60 days.
How old must my pet be to enter the Philippines?
At least 4 months (120 days) at the time of SPSIC application, per BAI guidance.
Are Bangkok–Manila flights pet-friendly?
Several carriers fly the route. Confirm cabin, checked baggage or cargo for your pet's size before booking.
When should I apply for the Thai DLD export permit?
At least 15 days before export, with an approved SPSIC already in hand and the IVHC timeline aligned.
Can I export from U-Tapao instead of Suvarnabhumi?
Sometimes — if your airline accepts pets on that route. Export paperwork must match the actual departure airport. See U-Tapao or Bangkok for the Pattaya angle.
How do I get my pet to Suvarnabhumi from Pattaya?
Pre-book a pet-friendly taxi or private transfer with a crate secured. Allow extra time for traffic and cargo check-in cut-offs — often several hours before departure.
Should I stay in Bangkok the night before an export flight?
Many owners do for early cargo departures or when the AQS needs same-day inspection. It reduces the risk of a missed slot if Pattaya traffic is bad.
Take a pet out of Thailand · Export process · Export checklist · Relocation agents
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