Travelling with a pet through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) requires more preparation than a normal journey. Your airline decides how your pet can fly, while Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development controls whether the animal can enter, leave or transit through the country. Dogs and cats arriving in Thailand may need an import permit, microchip records, vaccination documents and an official health certificate. After landing, passengers travelling with pets also need to complete the Animal Quarantine and Customs process before leaving the airport.

How Can Your Pet Fly From Bangkok?

There is no single pet rule for every airline at BKK. Depending on the carrier, route, pet and aircraft, your animal may travel in the cabin, in the aircraft hold or through a cargo service.

Cabin

Some airlines allow eligible small dogs and cats inside an approved carrier under the passenger seat.

Aircraft Hold

Many airlines serving Bangkok accept larger pets as checked animals in an approved transport kennel.

Cargo

Some carriers require regular pets to travel as cargo, especially for large animals, restricted routes or unaccompanied pets.

Airline Pet Policies and Fees at BKK

The table below compares 20 major airlines operating at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Published prices are a planning guide only: the final charge can depend on route, weight, kennel size, booking date and local animal-entry rules.

Airline Cabin Hold / Cargo Pet Fee Guide
Thai Airways No Regular Pets AVIH Domestic: THB 1,500
International: USD 320 up to 32 kg / USD 540 for 32–70 kg
Bangkok Airways No Regular Pets AVIH Domestic: THB 180/kg/sector
International: zonal fare
Emirates No Hold / Cargo USD 500 up to 23 kg, USD 650 for 24–32 kg, USD 800 over 32 kg
Qatar Airways Usually No Yes Most non-Qatar routes: USD 350 up to 32 kg / USD 450 for 32–75 kg
Turkish Airlines Yes Yes Route and weight based; cabin limit 8 kg including carrier
Singapore Airlines No Regular Pets Checked / Cargo Charged as additional baggage by total pet + container weight
Cathay Pacific No Regular Pets Cargo Cargo quotation required
Korean Air Yes Yes Korea–Southeast Asia reference: USD 225 up to 32 kg / USD 450 for 33–45 kg
EVA Air No Regular Pets Checked Excess-baggage-unit pricing; weight structure changes from 29 September 2026
China Airlines No Regular Pets Checked Fixed pet rate up to 32 kg; double fixed rate above 32 kg
ANA No Regular Pets Yes Bangkok–Japan example: JPY 25,000 per cage
Japan Airlines (JAL) No Regular Pets Yes Japan–Asia: JPY 25,000 / USD 250 per crate
Air France Eligible Pets Yes Price depends on route and travel option
KLM Yes Yes Many non-US routes: about €200 cabin / €400 hold
Lufthansa Yes Yes Intercontinental: about €70 cabin / €150–300 hold
Finnair Yes Yes Intercontinental: €120–130 cabin / €650 hold
SWISS Yes Yes Long-haul: about €125 cabin / €190–380 hold
Vietnam Airlines Eligible Pets Yes Route, weight and travel-option based
Air India Yes Yes Thailand routes: USD 140 cabin / USD 350 checked
Etihad Airways Yes Cargo / Other Eligible cabin pet: USD 1,500 per flight
Check before paying: Pet policies and fees can change by aircraft, route and destination. Your pet must be confirmed by the airline before travel; buying a passenger ticket alone does not reserve space for an animal.

Thai Airways Pet Travel From Bangkok

Thai Airways is the most important carrier to understand for pet travel at Suvarnabhumi. Regular pets accepted under the airline’s AVIH service travel in the aircraft hold rather than underneath the passenger seat.

Domestic Thailand
THB 1,500
Up to 70 kg incl. container
International
USD 320
Less than 32 kg
International
USD 540
32–70 kg
Thai Airways states that these international AVIH charges apply to travel on or after 2 March 2026. Aircraft and destination restrictions can still affect whether a pet is accepted.

Bangkok Airways Pet Travel

Bangkok Airways accepts eligible dogs and cats under its checked-animal service on selected aircraft and routes. The combined pet and container limits vary by aircraft, so availability should be confirmed before booking.

Domestic Flights
Pet and cage are charged by total weight.
THB 180/kg/sector
International Flights
Acceptance depends on the route and destination regulations.
Zonal Fare

Bringing a Pet Into Thailand Through BKK

Thailand treats live animals as restricted goods. If you plan to bring a dog, cat or other eligible pet into the country, the animal must meet Department of Livestock Development requirements and receive the necessary permission.

Prepare These Before You Fly
R1/1 Application
Required application form for the pet import process.
Passport Copy
A copy of the traveller’s valid passport.
Pet Photograph
A clear recent photograph of the animal travelling with you.
Flight Itinerary
Details of your arrival flight and planned journey to Thailand.
Vaccination Record
Vaccination records should be prepared in English as required.
Microchip Certificate
Keep documentation confirming your pet’s microchip details.
Application window: For dogs, cats and rabbits entering through Suvarnabhumi, official guidance states that the import permit request should be submitted within 60 days but not less than 7 days before departure.

Vaccinations Before Entering Thailand

Vaccination requirements depend on the animal. The official Suvarnabhumi import guidance lists the following core requirements for dogs and cats.

Dog Cat
Rabies Rabies
Distemper Feline Panleukopenia
Hepatitis —
Parvovirus —
Leptospirosis —
Timing matters: The listed vaccinations should generally be completed at least 21 days before departure. Rabies vaccination also has minimum-age requirements.

Animal Quarantine at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Passengers arriving with pets do not simply collect the animal and walk into Thailand. The pet must pass through the airport’s animal quarantine and customs procedures.

Passenger Animal Quarantine
AOT directs passengers carrying live animals to the Animal Quarantine officials in the international arrival area, in front of Baggage Claim 8.
Cargo Animal Quarantine
Cargo-related AQS procedures are handled separately in the CE-1 Building, Free Zone.
Do not skip Animal Quarantine. Thailand prohibits bringing live animals into, out of or through the country without the required permission.

What Happens After You Land With Your Pet?

For a passenger entering Thailand with a pet, the airport process includes more steps than a normal arrival.

Immigration
Complete normal passport and entry procedures after arriving at BKK.
Collect Your Pet and Baggage
Retrieve your luggage and your pet according to your airline’s arrival procedure.
Animal Quarantine
Take the pet and required documents to the Animal Quarantine officials for inspection and import processing.
Receive the Import Licence
If the animal and documents meet the requirements, veterinary officials can issue the required Form R.7.
Use Goods to Declare
Present your pet and import documentation to Customs and complete any required duty and tax payment.

Your Pet Must Go Through Customs

Do Not Use the Nothing-to-Declare Route
Live animals brought into Thailand are treated as restricted goods and are not automatically exempt from duty. After the quarantine process, passengers should follow the Goods to Declare customs procedure with the pet and the required import paperwork.

Connecting Through Bangkok With a Pet

A Bangkok connection with a pet depends on how the airline handles the animal and whether the pet formally enters Thailand.

Through-Checked Pet
If one airline handles the pet through to the final destination under an approved transit arrangement, you may not need to collect the animal in Bangkok.
Changing Airlines
Separate airlines may have different animal-transfer agreements. Confirm pet acceptance with both carriers before departure.
Collecting the Pet in Thailand
If you must collect the animal and enter Thailand, normal Thai import, quarantine and customs requirements can apply.

Bangkok Heat Can Affect Pet Travel

Bangkok is hot and humid for much of the year. This matters most for animals travelling in the aircraft hold because kennels can experience outdoor temperatures during ground handling.

Check Temperature Rules
Airlines may change or restrict animal acceptance when weather conditions create a safety risk.
Short-Nosed Pets Need Extra Care
Brachycephalic dogs and cats can face stricter airline rules because they are more vulnerable to heat and breathing problems.

Larger Pets and Aircraft Hold Travel

Larger dogs and cats that cannot meet cabin limits may need to travel in the aircraft hold. The kennel should meet the airline’s requirements and provide enough room for normal movement.

Standing: your pet should be able to stand naturally.
Turning: the kennel should allow the animal to turn around comfortably.
Resting: the pet should be able to sit and lie down naturally.
Ventilation: sufficient airflow is essential for safe animal transport.

Service and Assistance Dogs

Recognised assistance dogs follow different rules from ordinary pets. Eligible service dogs may be allowed in the passenger cabin without the normal pet transport procedure, but airline approval and destination-specific documents can still be required. Contact the airline before travelling.

Leaving Thailand With Your Pet From BKK

Taking a dog or cat out of Thailand also requires planning. Your destination country determines the health and entry documents you ultimately need, while Thailand’s Animal Quarantine Service handles the export inspection and paperwork.

Within 3 Days
Before departure
Export Inspection at AQS
Passengers should submit the export permit application and take the pet for the required health check no more than 3 days before departure. If approved, AQS issues the export permit and Health Certificate.
Check your destination first: The destination country may require additional vaccines, blood tests, microchip records or import permits before Thailand can complete the final export paperwork.

Before You Travel Through BKK With Your Pet

Apply for the Import Permit Early
For eligible pets entering through BKK, prepare the DLD application within the official application window.
Check Every Vaccination Date
Vaccination timing matters, so do not assume a recent vaccine automatically meets Thailand’s entry conditions.
Reserve Your Pet With the Airline
Pet capacity and kennel space can be limited even when passenger seats are still available.
Check Bangkok Weather Restrictions
Hot conditions can affect hold transport, especially for sensitive or short-nosed breeds.
Allow Extra Airport Time
Pet check-in, quarantine and customs procedures can take longer than an ordinary passenger journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes. Live animals are treated as restricted goods, and passengers bringing pets into Thailand need the required permission from the Department of Livestock Development.

For dogs, cats and rabbits entering through Suvarnabhumi, official guidance states that the application should be submitted within 60 days but at least 7 days before departure.

The Suvarnabhumi import guidance asks applicants to provide a microchip implantation certificate as part of the advance permit documentation.

Yes. Rabies is among the required vaccinations, and the official import guidance also lists additional vaccination requirements for dogs.

After completing the relevant arrival procedures and collecting your pet, follow the Animal Quarantine process. AOT directs passengers carrying live animals to the quarantine officials near Baggage Claim 8.

Passengers importing pets should follow the Goods to Declare procedure after Animal Quarantine and present the required pet and import documents to Customs.

Some airlines allow eligible small pets in the cabin, while others accept regular pets only in the hold or as cargo. Always check the policy for your exact airline and flight.

Current AVIH pricing is THB 1,500 on domestic journeys. On international journeys, the published fee is USD 320 below 32 kg and USD 540 for 32–70 kg including the container.

Potentially, but the procedure depends on the airline transfer arrangement and whether the animal formally enters Thailand. Confirm the complete pet-transfer procedure with your airline before departure.

Yes. High temperatures can affect pets travelling in the aircraft hold, and airlines may apply additional safety, seasonal or breed restrictions depending on conditions.

Potentially. Larger dogs may travel in the aircraft hold or as cargo depending on the airline, kennel size, breed, total weight and destination.

Yes, when the applicable export procedure requires it. At BKK, passengers should complete the export application and pet health inspection no more than 3 days before departure.

No. Recognised assistance dogs follow separate airline procedures. Advance notification and destination-specific documentation may still be required.