In June 2024 I travelled with my cat Simba from Berlin, Germany to Koh Phangan in Thailand. I made this film to show that it can be done and offer practical advice.
Every country has different entry requirements for pets. For Thailand cats require a valid vaccine for rabies and FPV (Feline Panleukopenia). Cats should also have a microchip and a pet passport. What is mainly required is a government official veterinarian certified Health Certificate. The Health Certificate is only valid for 10 days so travel needs to take place within this time frame. The rabies vaccine has to be administered after the microchip is put in and should be given at least 30 days before flying.
It's also good to check if returning to your home country would require a rabies titer test. Because this can be done before travelling to Thailand and it will still be valid as long as the rabies vaccine is valid.
Before traveling to Thailand you need to apply for an Import Permit, which can be done via email. Before booking a flight to Thailand it's important to note that pets are only allowed to arrive at certain airports, including the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok.
When booking a flight to Thailand it is also important to let the airline know that you will be travelling with a pet.
I chose Turkish airlines because they allow pets to be carried in the cabin, which I prefer and it's relatively easy to add pets during the online booking process. You can only sit in a window seat and there are maximum dimensions for the travel case, which has to sit on the floor below the seat in front.
On the Turkish airlines website it states that the rabies vaccine must not be older than 1 year. However this is incorrect, as long as the vaccine is valid, you can travel with your pet. Simba received the vaccine for rabies in Germany over a year before this flight but it is valid for 3 years.
When arriving in Thailand it is important to go to the animal quarantine station to get the official Import license. They check your pet's microchip and take a picture. When exiting the airport you need to declare at customs that you have a pet. Both Import License and the Declaration require a small fee.
When travelling within Thailand make sure to book pet friendly hotels and accommodation and be mindful of where pets are and are not allowed on public transport.
Make sure to check the airlines individual requirements for taking pets. They all vary.
I hope this is helpful, happy travels!
Jessica
16 июл 2024
