Pet owners in Bangkok are required to microchip their dogs and cats by the following year.
Laying Down the Law on Fluffy and Furry Friends in Bangkok
Starting from January 10, 2026, Bangkok residents with cats and dogs are mandated to get their pets microchipped within 120 days of birth or 30 days of gaining ownership. This new city ordinance, aimed at curbing the issue of stray animals, comes into effect next year.
According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the law is in everyone's best interest—both humans and pets. The BMA has hinted at penalties for those who fail to comply, but they've chosen to keep the specifics under wraps for now.
The announcement drew attention to "pets," but Thai-language publications interpreted it to mean cats and dogs exclusively.
Tavida Kamolvej, a deputy city governor, shed light on the matter. He mentioned that the pet control regulation, passed last year, hit the Royal Gazette on January 15, with a 360-day implementation period.
Pet owners are required to register and microchip their furry friends under this regulation, which also imposes restrictions on the number of pets. These restrictions are based on the size of the living space:
- For residences between 20–80 square meters in condos or apartments, only one pet is allowed.
- For larger apartments or condos (over 80 square meters), two pets can reside.
- For house plots up to 20 square wah (approximately 80 square meters), two pets are welcome.
- Households with land areas up to 50 square wah can have three pets.
- Up to four pets are permitted for lands spanning up to 100 square wah.
- For lands exceeding 100 square wah, no more than six pets are allowed.
Owners of potentially hazardous breeds, such as pit bulls and Rottweilers, are liable to notify the district authorities. This allows the authorities to monitor these animals closely for public safety.
As for other animals like cows, horses, ducks, and chickens, they can only be kept in designated areas.
While the precise punishments for noncompliance have yet to be disclosed, the BMA insists that pet owners must abide by the microchipping and registration rules to ensure a safer city for all residents.
- The new city ordinance in Bangkok, effective from January 10, 2026, mandates pet owners to register and microchip their pets within specified timeframes.
- Under the pet control regulation passed last year, pet owners are allowed a maximum of six pets in houses with land areas over 100 square wah.
- Pit bulls and Rottweilers, classified as potentially hazardous breeds, must be notified to the district authorities by their owners.
- Besides cats and dogs, other animals like cows, horses, ducks, and chickens can only be kept in designated areas within Bangkok.
