Bringing a Dog to Thailand: The Ultimate Guide by a UK Expat

‘We decided to jump in at the deep end and relocate to Thailand with our dog, a 10 year old border terrier. After 5 years of deliberation, we sold our home in England and started planning our move that included an extensive checklist with many steps, precision timing and significant costs.  While it is not easy to take a pet from the UK to Thailand, it can be done. We did not feel comfortable letting someone else import our dog to Thailand, so we went down the “Do It Yourself” route and have no regrets in doing so’

This story was shared with us from a fellow border terrier owner and UK expat who is now living in Thailand. Pets Around the World loves teaming up with folks that have lived it, because their personal insights can really help you if you are planning to bring your dog to other countries.  

Even though this particular immigration story began in the UK, the requirements and experience would be similar from the US, Canada and the EU.

This story provides an in-depth walk through, and even though personal experience may vary, they really cover it all! You can get an idea of what it might take with health checks, government paperwork, finding flights and making the journey.  They also share some great tips for preparing your dog for a long journey in the crate!

While they preferred to keep their identity private, many thanks to our fellow traveler for sharing their experience so we can all learn from each other! 

Consult Official Sources for Pet Import Requirements

Pro Tip: Get advice from official sources.
Social Media can be helpful for many things, but this is not your best source of immigration information. We asked asked questions, like “can we bring our dog to Thailand?” 
“No, why would you?” being one such reply. 
It soon became apparent that for every decent, reasonable, or factual answer there would be loads of false, misleading or rude answers.

The internet is a vast sea of information, but not all of it is accurate. I realized early on that if I was going to do this, I needed to do it right. I turned to the entities that would have the final say: 

• The Thai Government 
• The UK Government
• The Airline 
• My Vet. 

Steering clear of third-party services, I decided to manage the documentation myself. It was a daunting prospect, but it gave me control over the process.

Transportation Options for Moving a Pet from the UK to Thailand

The options for moving from Europe or the US to Thailand are limited due to distance, oceans and geo-political situations.  It isn’t really possible to go by land or sea.  

Flying is the only legitimate option.  There are 4 potential methods of flying that will vary based on your pet’s size, starting airport, and budget.

• In the cabin with small dogs and cats
• Excess baggage in the hold of the plane;  you organize yourself with the airline for pets over 8kgs
• Cargo; use of a pet shipping company for 
• Private charter flights at a cost of 10K+ 

After careful consideration, we decided we did not want our furry four legged daughter to fly in the hold, we wanted her to fly in the cabin, on a seat by our side.

We checked each airline to see which allowed pets in the cabin, and after careful analysis selected Etihad. Even reading through their website was difficult due to contradictory information. 

The Health Checklist: Ensuring Our Dog is Fit to Travel

When it comes to international pet travel, the vet’s office is where your journey begins. Apparently not all vets are authorised in this matter but fortunately for us, our vet was approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DeFRA), and for a hefty fee would be willing to deal with the health aspects. 

In the US, the vet needs to be accredited by the USDA

Here’s what we tackled:

• Rabies Vaccination: Not just a quick jab, but a documented one, with all the details that authorities might need.
• Fit To Fly Certificate: This isn’t your average health certificate; it’s a passport for your pet to enter the skies.
• Comprehensive Health-Check: Every inoculation, every check-up had to be accounted for and up to date.
• Worming and Flea Treatments: Proof that my dog was free from parasites was not just for her health but a requirement for travel.
• Letter from vet stating pet carrier is an airline approved one

It soon became clear the amount of hoops we have had to jump through which was very daunting initially. Deadlines came with strict time scales.  Some had to be completed within 72 hrs of landing at our destination airport so flight times were critical. 

It can be done all be it with military precision and a few pages from your chequebook.

Navigating the Paper Trail to Import our Dog to Thailand

The bureaucracy of pet travel can be as winding as the streets of Bangkok. Here’s what the governments on both ends needed:

• Export Certificate: Sent electronically from the UK’s DeFRA to the vet, a testimony that my dog was ready to leave the country.
• Import Certificate: The Thai Government needed to know my dog was welcome on their shores.

Choosing the Right Airline and Flight

My dog’s comfort was paramount, so cabin travel was the only option for us. But not all airlines are pet-friendly, and not all pet-friendly airlines are created equal.

In cabin requirements

• 8kg was the maximum allowed weight
• Pets fly in a carrier that meets the requirements. Every airline is slightly different. For Etihad it is 40 x 40 x 22cm (L x W x H)
• Pets fly at their owner’s feet. Most airlines do not allow you to purchase an additional seat 
• Pets may not be able to fly in the cabin on Etihad if another passenger has documentation proving they are allergic to pets or a service dog is also on the flight
• Provide airline copies of all medical reports, import and export permits, fit to fly certificates, etc. at least 1 week before the flight

Oh NO moment: since we had forms that had to be completed within 72 hrs of landing, it was not possible to provide documents a week in advance. So I emailed everything we had so far with a note explaining we could not provide the rest until 2 days before we flew due to the strict timescales given by the Thai authorities.

Sadly, I never received confirmation if this was acceptable or not.

Every airport has its own rules, and not all are welcoming to four-legged travelers. Heathrow does not allow domestic pets, but Manchester does allow pets to depart in the cabin. That information determined our starting point. 

Our route: Manchester > Abu Dhabi > Bangkok

Preparing Our Dog for the Flight

We needed our dog to feel comfortable when in the carrier. Each day, we would put her into the carrier, then place the carrier in our car and drive to different areas where we knew she enjoyed visiting. Each time she walked into the carrier we offered a small treat. Soon she was very comfortable being in her carrier. 

Training and desensitization are an important step. This proved very beneficial when we started our journey.

At the Airport with a Dog

In October 2023, we arrived at the airport 3 hours before our flight.

•  Our dog in her pet carrier 
• All the permits/ certificates/ papers and anything else we thought was relevant. 

Oh No Moment: The check-in staff were already aware we were due to take our dog on the aircraft, but they had not received the necessary permission to allow us to board. We were taken to the corner of the check-in area and staff made some frantic calls to their head office.

 Without permission, we were going nowhere. Etihad has the highest fee for flying a pet in cabin of all airlines. We were not made aware of the cost until checking in at the airport. After 30 or so minutes we handed over another £2500 ( £1250 fee per leg)

Editor’s note: Etihad is the most expensive airline for flying pets in cabin I am aware of. Most in-cabin international fees are less than USD$200. However, airline options allowing pets on routes through Asia are more limited as well.

It took nearly 2 hours for us to check-in, so now we had to rush to the gate.  With 1 hour before boarding, the gate number was not shown. However we were told to use the fast-track lane to get through security and to go to a specific gate where we would be one if the first to enter the aircraft, and we should do the same when we land in Abu Dhabi.

Both flights went smoothly, though there were no animal facilities in Abu Dhabi to provide a bathroom break for our terrier.

Pet Immigration Upon Arrival in Thailand

Upon landing in Bangkok, an airport official stood with our name on a board as we walked up the air-bridge. This was to remind us that we must not leave the airport and that we had to collect our suitcases and then immediately go to Carousal 8.  There, we would find the Department Of Livestock Development. 

We arrived and spoke with the officers who took 

• copies of all our paperwork, 
• copies of our passports etc, 
• paid their fee 

Welcome to Thailand.

We walked out of the airport with our furry four legged daughter who relieved herself for the first time in 21 hours. We got into a taxi and went off to our accommodation.

The Costs of Flying a Dog to Thailand

The question on everyone’s mind: How much does it cost to bring your dog to a country like Thailand? The answer isn’t straightforward, but here’s a breakdown of the main expenses:

• Airline Fees – around £3,500
• Vet Services – around £1,200
• Government Permits, Pet Carrier, etc. – remainder

We estimate the total cost for us to bring our dog to Thailand with us, one way was £5,000

Pro Tip: You can use airline miles to pay the pet fee on Etihad Airlines

Life in Thailand with a Dog

We are adapting to new ways of life. When we moved into our villa, we taught our border terrier how to swim. She’s going to doggy day care with 2 other dogs who love the pool. We are doing our utmost to ensure she loves Thailand as much as we do. 

Life in Thailand isn’t always easy with a dog. Soi (aka Street) dogs are everywhere. They see pets as a threat, and will at a seconds notice attack her. We dreamt of walking down the beach as she ran herself to exhaustion, but forget it.

Snakes live in the woods and fields, so it can be dangerous to explore.  

The heat is also difficult with daytime temperatures easily hit the mid 30s and into the 40s so paths/ pavements/ sand is all hot hot hot.

Despite these obstacles, we don’t have any regrets, and we are making adjustments to ensure the comfort of our furry daughter. 

Final Thoughts: Bringing a Dog to Thailand

Looking back on the whole process of moving internationally with a pet, it’s pretty clear it isn’t a walk in the park. There’s a pile of paperwork, a series of health checks, and a bunch of planning puzzles that’ll really test your determination. But it all comes down to the incredible connection you have with your pet. It’s that special bond that makes you go the extra mile to make sure your furry family member is right there with you, no matter how far you’re going.

So, to anyone out there asking, “Can I bring my dog to Thailand?” – the answer is yes.  It takes a well-thought-out plan, a sprinkle of perseverance, and a whole lot of optimism, but you can definitely kick off an exciting new chapter with your pet in the Land of Smiles.

Yes, the investment is real – both in terms of money and emotions – but believe me, the payoff is huge. Take on the challenge, and before you know it, you’ll be soaking up the Thai sunshine, sharing the warmth not only with your adventurous pet but also with the welcoming community you’ll find there.

Since it takes a lot of work and preparation to relocate to Thailand with a pet, we appreciate members of the community who share them experiences to help others.