Flagship guide
Bringing your pet to Thailand
A dog or cat can move to Thailand with you — thousands do every year. It is a paperwork process with firm deadlines, not a quick errand. Here is the whole picture, then a page for each step.
The single most important thing to understand is timing. Between the microchip, the rabies vaccination and its 21-day wait, the health certificate and the import permit, a smooth move needs at least one to two months of lead time — and if you may later move your pet onward to the UK, EU or Australia, a rabies titer test pushes that to several months. Start early.
The process is overseen by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD). Below, each step has its own page. Read them in order.
Rules change — verify before you act
This guide was last reviewed in May 2026. Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD), airlines and origin-country authorities change their rules without notice. Treat this as an orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD, your airline and your origin-country authority before you book or travel.
The process, step by step
Microchip
The ISO microchip your pet needs, and why it must come first.
Step 2Rabies & titer test
The rabies vaccination, other required jabs, and the titer test.
Step 3Health certificate
The veterinary health certificate and who has to endorse it.
Step 4DLD import permit
How to apply to the Department of Livestock Development.
Step 5Airline pet policies
Cabin, checked baggage or cargo — and IATA travel crates.
Step 6Arrival in Thailand
The Animal Quarantine Station check, and getting to Pattaya.
By the country you are coming from
The Thai requirements are the same; what differs is who endorses your paperwork — and what you will need if you ever move your pet on again.