Bringing a pet to Thailand · Step 6
Arriving in Thailand with your pet
If the paperwork is right, arrival is the straightforward part. Here is what to expect at the airport and on the road down to Pattaya.
Last updated 21 May 2026
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.
Which airport
Most pets arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, which has the main Animal Quarantine Station. Don Muang (DMK) also handles animals. Pattaya is roughly a 90-minute to two-hour drive south of Suvarnabhumi.
The Animal Quarantine Station check
On arrival your pet is taken to the airport’s Animal Quarantine Station. Officers will:
- check your import permit, health certificate and vaccination records;
- scan the microchip and confirm the number matches the paperwork;
- look your pet over for visible signs of illness;
- collect any arrival fees due.
If everything is in order, pets are normally released to you the same day — there is no routine quarantine.
If something is missing
A quarantine officer has the authority to detain a pet if paperwork is incomplete or the animal shows signs of disease — potentially for tests or treatment lasting 30 days or more. This is exactly why the earlier steps matter. Bring printed originals of everything, organised and easy to hand over.
Getting from the airport to Pattaya
Plan the onward journey before you fly. Arrange a pet-friendly private transfer or a relocation agent’s vehicle — ordinary airport taxis may refuse an animal, especially a large one in a crate. Bring water and, after a long flight, expect your pet to be tired and thirsty rather than lively.
Once you are settled, our guide to owning a pet in Pattaya covers the next steps, and the directory of vets helps you find a clinic near your new home.
Frequently asked
Will my pet be put in quarantine?
Not routinely. If the import permit and paperwork are in order and your pet is healthy, there is no standard quarantine period — pets are usually released the same day. Quarantine is a fallback the officer can use if something is wrong.
How do I get my pet from Bangkok airport to Pattaya?
Arrange a pet-friendly transfer in advance. It is about a 90-minute to two-hour drive. Relocation agents can include the airport-to-door transfer in their service.