Bangkok’s new pet rules: What owners need to know before D-Day

D-Day is fast approaching for pet owners in Bangkok, with radical new animal regulations set to take effect on January 10.

Published in the Royal Gazette early this year, the new rules require pet owners in the capital to register any animals under their care, including poultry, aquatic species, exotic pets and even reptiles.

Dogs and cats must also be microchipped, and limits will be placed on the number of pets per household – though existing pets are exempt.

The new rules are aimed at controlling Bangkok’s large stray animal population, Governor Chadchat Sittipunt said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) says its Ordinance on Animal Keeping and Abandonment Control will establish a pet-monitoring database to help return lost animals to their owners, curb the city’s stray population and suppress rabies.

BMA officials say these measures will also give authorities clearer legal tools to handle complaints and ensure pet owners are accountable for their animals.

What pet owners must do

Bangkokians have until April 9 to register their pets at the nearest BMA veterinary clinic or at mobile units across the city’s 50 districts, where they will also be microchipped for free.

Alternatively, pet owners can take their furry companion to their own vet for microchipping for a fee and then register them online at https://petregis.bangkok.go.th.

To register their pets, owners will need their national ID (passport for foreigners), household registration, and supporting documents like vaccination and sterilisation certificates, if any. Those who are tenants also require their landlord’s written consent to keep pets.

A recent BMA survey found that 62.5% of 54,860 dogs in the capital had been microchipped and registered, compared with just 11.09% of the 124,194 cats.

Space limits

Following a steady stream of complaints from residents about the growing number of animals kept by pet owners, the new law will limit pet ownership based on property size. The limits are as follows:

• Rented condos/rooms (20 to 80 square metres): 1 pet

• Condos over 80 sqm: Up to 2 pets

• Property up to 20 square wah (about 80 sqm): Up to 2 pets

- Propperty 20-50 square wah (about 80-50 sqm): Up to 3 pets

• Property 50-100 square wah (about 200-400 sqm): Up to 4 pets

• Property over 100 square wah (over 400 sqm): Up to 6 pets

However, these limits only apply to dogs and cats, with other animals covered by different criteria. For instance, up to five small birds can be raised per square metre, while a chicken/geese or duck must be allotted 4 square metres.

Larger birds require 50 square metres each. Large farm animals like cattle require 50 square wah (200 sqm) each, while the same area can be used to keep up to three smaller livestock like sheep.

Old pets stay put

Bangkokians who already have more than the permitted number of pets don’t have to worry – these space limits only apply to new pets or animals acquired after January 10.

However, to avoid fines, all Bangkokians are advised to register their old and new pets by April 9 at the latest.

What if there’s a litter?

Special provisions will be made for owners who fail to sterilise their pets in time and are landed with a large litter of kittens or puppies that pushes them over the allowed limit. Deputy Bangkok Governor Tavida Kamolvej has promised that City Hall will help re-home the animals. “And if necessary, we will put them directly under our care,” she said.