While I’m still in the middle of wrapping up my parents estate with my brother and sister I am also doing what I can to wrap up my travel plans to Thailand. Even though it might seem crazy to take my cats with me there is just no other option. They have been with me through thick and thin for a decade and all the other options just seem cold and uncaring.

Luckily,  Thailand is a country you can bring your pets into and as long as you follow the rules there should be no reason for a 30 day quarantine on arrival. Aside from the list of things you need to get done to bring pets into Thailand you also need to check with the airline you’ll be using as to their rules for pet travel.

Most airlines will let you bring up to two small pets aboard the plane as long as they are under 20 kg, larger pets must travel either in excess baggage or as cargo. Pets also must have a recent health certificate from your vet. If cargo is the only option you need to find another carrier as the cargo hold of planes is generally not pressurized and not climate controlled. The excess baggage hold is pressurized and climate controlled. Please check with each individual airline you intend to use on their requirements

Below is what is needed to bring your pets into Thailand per the Thai embassy.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOGS AND CATS INTO THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

1. A health certificate in English, signed or further endorsed by a full-time authorized veterinary official of the government of the exporting country, if it is previously acknowledged by a veterinary surgeon, stating :
1-1. number and species.

1-2. breed, sex, age and color or animal identification.

1-3. name and address of the owner OR the kennel of origin.

1-4. certification of condition items 2-5.

2. The animals must come from an area where animal diseases are under control. They are found to be healthy, free from signs of any infectious and contagious diseases including ectoparasitism at the time of export and fit to travel.

3. The country has been free from Rabies for at least the past 12 (twelve) months OR the animals are vaccinated against Rabies with an official approved vaccine not less than 21 (twenty- one) days prior to the departure.

4. Either the dog is vaccinated against Leptospirosis at least 21(twenty-one) days preceding departure OR The dog is subjected to a test for Leptospirosis with negative result during the 30 (thirty) days prior to the departure.

5. The animals shall be vaccinated against other significant infectious or contagious diseases i.e. Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus, with an official approved vaccine at least 21 (twenty-one) days prior to the departure.

6. The animals must be conveyed in nose-and-paw proof crates designed to avoid any risk of injury or unnecessary suffering.

7. The animals are not allowed to expose to other animals if they have to be landed in transit at any approved intermediate port. They shall not be allowed to leave precinct of the port except to an officially approved transit quarantine area.

8. The animals are subjected to quarantine at approved premises for a period of at least 30 (thirty) days upon arrival during which they shall be submitted to tests and/or treatments deemed necessary. The importer/owner shall be fully charged for the incurred expenses.

9. Failure to follow the import procedures may result in returning the animals to the country of origin or destroying without compensation.