Bringing a dog or cat to Thailand is manageable if you start about a month ahead. The key point: the Thai import permit comes first, before departure, and the health certificate is issued after it. The rules below were checked on 17 October 2026 against the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) instructions published by the Thai foreign ministry and against Phuket Airport’s website.
What you need
| Item | DLD requirement |
|---|---|
| Import permit | emailed request to the arrival airport station 7-60 days before departure |
| Microchip | implantation certificate, chip number on every document |
| Dog vaccinations | rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis |
| Cat vaccinations | rabies, feline panleukopenia |
| Rabbit vaccinations | rabies, plus treatment for internal parasites at least 7 days before departure |
| Waiting time | primary vaccinations at least 21 days before applying, no wait for boosters |
| Age for rabies shot | at least 12 weeks at the first rabies vaccination |
| Health certificate | official, issued by your country’s government veterinary service and stamped |
| Fee in Thailand | THB 500 per animal |
If a dog has no valid leptospirosis vaccination, or the 21 days have not passed, it needs a negative leptospirosis test taken within 30 days before departure.
Step by step
- Microchip and vaccinate. The DLD wants the chip number on the vaccination certificates, so the chip has to be in before the vet issues them. Primary vaccinations must be at least 21 days old when you apply.
- Request the permit. Email the quarantine station at the airport where you will land, 7-60 days before departure. The embassy suggests applying about 30 days ahead.
- Attach the documents: form R1/1 (owner’s name, Thai address, breed, sex, date of birth, colour and microchip number), a passport copy, a colour photo showing the pet’s face, your flight booking, English vaccination certificates with the vet’s details, and the microchip certificate.
- Wait for the permit. Processing takes 5-7 Thai business days. The permit arrives as a scan by email and is valid for 60 days from issue.
- Get the health certificate. Take the printed permit to your government veterinary service for the official certificate.
- Check with the airline. Carriers set their own rules on weight, crates and breeds, and some will not board a pet without the Thai permit.
- On arrival in Thailand, go to the quarantine station with the originals: your passport, the pet passport or vaccination records, the health certificate and the printed permit. You receive a notice of import approval (R-6) and an import licence (R-7) and pay THB 500 per animal. The licence is valid until the pet leaves Thailand.
Airport quarantine stations
| Airport | Email for the permit | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket | qshk_hkt@dld.go.th | +66 76 351 514 |
| Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok | qsap_bkk_import@dld.go.th | +66 2 134 0636 |
| Don Mueang, Bangkok | qsdm_bkk@dld.go.th | +66 2 504 3355 |
| Chiang Mai | qscm_cmi@dld.go.th | +66 53 892 453 |
| Koh Samui | qssm_urt@dld.go.th | +66 77 428 554 |
| Krabi (Trang station) | qstr_trg@dld.go.th | +66 75 254 218 |
In Phuket the station is in the international terminal opposite baggage claim 1; at Suvarnabhumi it is next to carousel 8. For pets arriving with a passenger the stations are open 24 hours. Pets shipped as cargo to Suvarnabhumi can only be collected on weekdays, 8:30-16:30.
If the paperwork is wrong
If the animal does not meet the requirements or the microchip number does not match the documents, it can be returned to the country of departure or held in a government-approved quarantine facility, with all costs paid by the owner. Check the chip number on every document before you fly.
Before you go
Your pet needs vaccinations, and so might you: rabies is present in Thailand. See our guide to vaccinations for Thailand. For other border checks, read the guides to Thai customs and entry rules.
FAQ
How much does it cost to bring a dog to Thailand?
On the Thai side, only a THB 500 fee per animal, paid at the airport quarantine station when you receive the import licence (forms R-6 and R-7). Vaccinations, the microchip, the health certificate at home and the airline's pet fare are separate and vary widely.
Can I get the permit on arrival at the airport?
The DLD instructions allow it, but only if you already hold the original endorsed health certificate, vaccination records, microchip certificate and your passport. The catch is that many airlines will not board a pet without a Thai permit issued in advance, so getting it by email before you fly is the safer route.
Are any dog breeds banned in Thailand?
No breeds are banned under the DLD rules. Airlines often have their own restrictions, especially for snub-nosed and large breeds, so check with your carrier before booking.
Will my pet have to go into quarantine?
If the paperwork is complete and the microchip matches, the DLD instructions set no quarantine period: a vet checks the animal and documents and issues the import licence. If something is wrong, the animal can be sent back or detained in an approved quarantine facility at the owner's expense.
Can I bring a puppy or kitten?
The DLD only accepts a first rabies shot given at 12 weeks or older, and you then wait 21 days after primary vaccinations before applying. In practice that means animals older than about 15 weeks.
Can my pet fly as cargo without me?
Yes, and it is then collected from the cargo terminal quarantine station. At Suvarnabhumi that office works Monday to Friday 8:30-16:30 and is closed on weekends and Thai public holidays. For pets travelling with a passenger, the airport stations are open 24 hours.
Sources
- Office of Agricultural Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy Washington. Instructions for Bringing Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits into Thailand (rev. 2025-01-30), all airports and DLD station contacts
- Department of Livestock Development. Requirements for importation of Dogs/Cats/Rabbits into Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport, file on the Thai MFA site
- Phuket International Airport (AOT). Animal Quarantine Station
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