The procedure for bringing a pet into Thailand is relatively straight forward. In Thailand the Department of Livestock Development(DLD) is responsible for the control of animal movements in and out of the country.
Requirements for the Importation of Cats and Dogs into the Kingdom of Thailand:
- 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) to (5). - Failure to follow the import procedures may result in returning the animals to the country of origin or destroying without compensation.
- 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.
- 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.
- EITHER a) The dog is vaccinated against Leptospirosis at least 21(twenty-one) days preceding departure.
- OR b) The dog is subjected to a test for Leptospirosis with negative result during the 30 (thirty) days prior to the departure.
- 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.
- The animals must be conveyed in nose-and-paw proof crates designed to avoid any risk of injury or unnecessary suffering.
- 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.
- 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.
There also appears to be a requirement that you obtain an import certificate before importing your animal, although I have also read that this can be obtained on arrival at BKK. The DLD web site however offers the following advice:
An importer or any person wishing to import live animals into
the Kingdom of Thailand should receive an Import Permit from
the Department of Livestock Develpoment (DLD) prior to an importation.The importer should contact a veterinary official at the International Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) at the port of entry , and request for information on a protocol and an animal health requirement of importation of live animals into Thailand.
The importer should personally submit an application request (Form No 1/1)to import live animals into the country to an AQS veterinary offical ,at least 15 days prior to an importation
I would therefore strongly recommend that you contact DLD in Thailand before arriving at a port of entry with your pet.
DLD contact Information:
Department of Livestock Development Phayathai Road Bangkok 10400 Thailand.
Tel. 02(66) 6534-444, Fax:. 02(66)653-4925
Copyright ©2004
Contact Us: foreign@dld.go.th and quarantine_dcontrol@dld.go.th
A Word About Keeping Pets in Thailand
The Thai attitude to pets and their welfare is very different from the west. Before you consider bringing a pet to Thailand there are some things that you should understand. Locally pets, particularly dogs, are often bought on a whim at the local market or visiting fair or even obtained for free from the local temple.
It is also not uncommon for the same animals to be abandoned when the owner gets bored or can’t afford to feed the animal any more. This attitude tends to lead to a lot of stray dogs roaming around.
These soi or street dog are to be found all over Thailand. Soi dogs are very territorial. Incursion into another dogs territory usually results in a fight. Soi dogs pose several hazards, they are usually diseased or suffering fight injuries and they will bark at or even attack anyone on foot.
Climatic conditions in Thailand can also pose a hazard for some breeds of cats and dogs. They are a lot different to more temperate climes with hot and often humid conditions for at least ten months of the year and even in the cooler months it is much hotter than Europe and North America. For example some breeds of dog from the West might suffer from breathing difficulties or over heating in these conditions.
Local wildlife particularly snakes and other venomous creatures might also pose a problem if your animal likes to hunt. Its one thing for your cat to bring home a mouse to show you and play with but quite another when its a snake they release in the house!
Sensible precautions and care should ensure the transition for your pet is not to painful. Fortunately in Thailand there are plenty of decent vets around and their services are not as expensive as in the UK for example.
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