Traveling to Thailand with your pet

Here you are, preparing to move to Thailand! But leaving your beloved pet behind is out of the question. So how can you bring your furry companion along on this expatriation adventure to the Land of Smiles? What are the various veterinary formalities you need to complete?

Sawa Discovery has investigated and provided you with all the information regarding the veterinary procedures associated with bringing a domestic animal into Thailand.

Physical entry of domestic animals and veterinary formalities in Thailand

For a domestic animal, there are two possible entry methods by air into Thai territory:

• As excess baggage.
• Through a specialized pet transporter.

Upon arrival in Thailand, it is your responsibility to retrieve your pet at the designated location specified by the airline handling its transport.

Next, you must proceed to the Animal Import Office at the airport to complete several administrative formalities. A customs officer will then decide whether the animal needs to be quarantined and may request payment of any administrative fees.

Below is a list of the various veterinary documents you must have for your pet's entry into Thailand:

• an export certificate issued in France by the specialized transporter or a veterinarian.
• an import permit issued by the officers of the Animal Import Bureau in Thailand.
• an identity and health certificate issued by a French veterinarian and written in English, providing the following information: age, sex, color, distinguishing marks, owner's name, and address.

Attention! Animals must have been residents of the country of origin for the six months prior to their departure for Thailand.

Required vaccinations for veterinary formalities in Thailand

Your pet's vaccinations must also be up-to-date, and you will need to provide the following vaccination certificates:

• Rabies vaccination is administered at least 15 days before departure.
• Leptospirosis vaccination (also known as rat disease) is administered at least 21 days before departure.
• Vaccinations against distemper (or canine distemper), infectious canine hepatitis (or Rubarth's disease), and canine parvovirus at least 21 days before departure.
• If your pet will stay in a kennel, it must be vaccinated against infectious tracheobronchitis, commonly known as kennel cough.
• If your pet is a cat, it must be vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis and feline influenza.

Thai law requires that domestic animals be quarantined upon arrival in the country at the expense of their owners. However, in reality, dogs and cats are rarely quarantined.

To ensure you have up-to-date information regarding veterinary formalities in Thailand, do not rely solely on the information in this document; consult your regular veterinarian and consider contacting the Department of Livestock Development, the official authority for animal importation matters.

Department of Livestock Development
Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
Tel: 02 653 4444
Fax: 02 653 4925
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dld.go.th

Transporting your pet

Regardless of the airline responsible for transporting your domestic animal, ensure it meets eligibility requirements for entry into Thailand and any countries it will transit (layovers).

If your pet travels on the same flight as you, try to transport it as excess baggage rather than as cargo, as this will be much cheaper.

The animal must travel in an approved container that is spacious enough for it to stand, sit, and turn around comfortably during the journey. The container must provide adequate ventilation and a system for the animal to safely eat and drink.

Not all airlines offer pet transportation services, so plan well in advance and carefully arrange every detail, ensuring agreements with airlines are documented and signed.

Finally, arrive early for check-in on the day of departure, as authorities will need time to review all your documents before allowing you and your pet to board for Thailand.