Taking Pets to Thailand

Duncan Trouble

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.

talensig
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14 Comment(s)

  1. 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.

    Except for the part about being charged, you might be able to forget about the 30 days quarantine. Just make sure that you have someone knowledgeable handling things on this end. That way, you can take away your cats on arrival (less stress for your cats). 1000 baht worked for me.
    .-= Catherine´s last blog ..Thailand’s Multi-Coloured Politics: Will Thais Talk to Thais? =-.

    Catherine | Apr 30, 2010 | Reply

  2. I dont mean this with mallace in any way but I could not think of a worse thing to do to an animal from a country like America than to take them to somewhere like Thailand, especially as you say they are at least 10 years old.

    Surely you could find a loving home for them with friends or maybe an elderly couple in your area who are in need of some companionship and maybe offer to pay for their wellbeing?
    .-= Lloyd´s last blog ..Ayutthaya =-.

    Lloyd | May 1, 2010 | Reply

  3. Cat, from everything I have read they will only quarantine if the do not have the required shots.

    Most people I have talked to that have taken a pet to Thailand said customs didn’t even bother checking the pet or paperwork.

    Talen | May 2, 2010 | Reply

  4. Lloyd, this has been a very hard decision for me and I still don’t know what I am going to do. The stress of a 20 hour flight and getting into town will be a lot for them and it’s not something I want to put them through. The flip side is that not many people want to take two cats much less two cats that are ten years old.

    I still have a lot to think about and some time before I make a decision.

    Talen | May 2, 2010 | Reply

  5. I wouldn’t say that being 10 years old is old for a cat. Unless there are any underlying health problems a journey like will be shrugged off by the average cat. As long as you’ve got everything sorted out at the other end so that they can start recovering as soon as possible there should be no real problems.

    Just buy the best cat carrier(s) you can and don’t try and sedate your cats as it can cause problems. My cousin is a vet who used to work at Heathrow airport where they have large numbers of animals passing through on long journeys right around the world so I know that most animals do travel well. Probably more so than their owners.
    .-= Kazzie´s last blog ..Kid’s Craft Idea: Painted Pebble Pets =-.

    Kazzie | May 2, 2010 | Reply

  6. Talen fair play to you I would loved to have taken my forever best friend ( Sally, our dog ) to Thailand but sadly she died two years ago. The mayhem a mad English Springer Spaniel and an Isaan rice field could have caused is probably undescribable. We’d have spent many mad days together.

    Cats may cause a village a few more problems. American pussy in an Isaan village is a novel idea. Perhaps like pushing pure cocaine through the Bronx. Best of luck for going for it but I just fear a few tears maybe ahead on a quiet village road.

    Sod it, trust your heart, I know Sally would have spat back at a cobra, picked it up and dropped it at my feet. You lucky man, trust your heart and ignore your vision.

    Best wishes from Pattaya.

    Anonymous | May 2, 2010 | Reply

  7. I brought two cats and two dogs from South Africa to England. I would never, ever put dogs through six months’ quarantine again but the cats seemed quite happy and spoiled. But if there isn’t even a quarantine period then go for it!!
    .-= Emm´s last blog ..Window Into South Africa: Rencia Froneman =-.

    Emm | May 2, 2010 | Reply

  8. Anon, it has been a very hard decision but I think the right one. They won’t be outside cats …indoor only so they should be okay. Even if they do get out they have all their claws and are very adept at using them :)

    Talen | May 3, 2010 | Reply

  9. Emm, wow, six months is a long time must have been a bit stressful for you and the dogs…cats are usually pretty good with it especially if they are being spoiled.

    Talen | May 3, 2010 | Reply

  10. Kazzie, thanks for the wonderful input. Definitely won’t be sedating them as I know that could kill them. I still have to sort out the Thailand side of the flight so I can get them comfortable as soon as possible after landing.

    Talen | May 3, 2010 | Reply

  11. Just to clear up the anon. Best wishes from Pattaya.

    Martyn | May 3, 2010 | Reply

  12. Looks like someone is having a good time in Thailand… :p

    Talen | May 5, 2010 | Reply

  13. Yes, Thailand in general are generous with permitting pets into their Island. Just a word of advice, if you plan or due to unforeseen circumstances, return to your country you may find the legislation’s are not so liberal.

    Mr Samui | Jun 21, 2010 | Reply

  14. hey talen, can my pet,dog travel on jet airways? and how long would the quarantine be? and which flight would need the least number of days for quarantine?

    Chalisa | Jul 1, 2010 | Reply

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