Thailand requires no quarantine and no rabies titer test — just a free DLD Import Permit, a valid rabies vaccine, and a DAH health certificate. With direct AVIH flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the entire process fits into 6 weeks.
Last updated 18 Oct 2026i
What makes Thailand one of the most accessible destinations in the region — no titer test, no quarantine, direct AVIH flights.
Direct release at Airport on arrival day – if all documents are complete
Annual rabies vaccine accepted — no blood test, no 3–6 month wait
Import Permit from Thailand is free — apply at least 7 days ahead
Shortest timeline in the region — driven by our 30-day vaccine buffer
Thailand is regulated by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) — all dogs and cats require the same four categories of documents
Your pet must carry a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before any vaccine. Rabies needs 30 days before departure if it’s a first dose or lapsed (DLD’s legal minimum is 21; no wait if already valid); dogs also need Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo and Lepto, cats need Panleukopenia.
The Export Animal Health Certificate must be issued by Vietnam’s Sub-Department of Animal Health (SDAH/DAH). It is valid for 10 days from the signing date.
DLD offers two free routes to an Import Permit: email qsap_bkk_import@dld.go.th at least 7 working days before you fly, or apply on arrival at the quarantine counter. Airlines may still require it issued in advance, regardless of what DLD itself allows on arrival.
Pets may only enter through a DLD Animal Quarantine Station: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), Samui (USM), or Krabi (KBV). Land border entry is not permitted.
Thailand’s timeline is the shortest in the region — no RNATT wait, no quarantine booking, just 6 disciplined weeks
Implant the ISO 11784/11785 microchip first — all health records must reference the chip number. Administer the rabies vaccine immediately after (pet must be 12+ weeks old for a first dose). Day of vaccination = Day 0. Earliest departure = Day 30 (Daisy’s safety buffer; DLD’s legal minimum is 21 days).
Email qsap_bkk_import@dld.go.th with your passport copy, pet details (species, breed, age, chip number), planned travel date, and entry airport. DLD’s minimum is 7 working days before departure, with processing typically 3–7 working days — do not delay this step.
Confirm your airline (Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, or Bangkok Airways) and reserve an AVIH slot — typically limited to 1–2 pets per flight. Purchase an IATA-compliant crate and begin crate conditioning. Slots fill quickly during peak travel periods.
Schedule a comprehensive health examination at a licensed veterinary clinic. The results form the medical basis for the DAH health certificate. Cross-check: chip number consistent across all documents, rabies and core vaccines still within their labeled validity (commonly 12 months for rabies).
Contact your local Sub-Department of Animal Health (SDAH) to issue the Export Animal Health Certificate. Valid for 10 days only — request it exactly 8–12 days before departure. Not too early (certificate expires), not too late (insufficient processing time).
Final document review: rabies and core vaccines cleared (30-day buffer if first dose/lapsed, or already valid), DAH cert ≤10 days met, DLD Permit issued, chip consistent. Arrive at the passenger check-in counter at least 3 hours early — AVIH check-in requires extra document verification time.
Direct AVIH flights are available from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City — no Manifest Cargo required for pets under 32 kg combined
| Airline | Route | Brachycephalic Restrictions | Summer Embargo Risk | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines |
Route
SGN/HAN → BKK/DMK |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
Moderate — confirm by breed |
Summer Embargo Risk
Low–Moderate |
Reliability
Very High |
| Thai Airways |
Route
SGN/HAN → BKK |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
High — varies by aircraft type |
Summer Embargo Risk
Low |
Reliability
High |
| Bangkok Airways |
Route
SGN → BKK/USM |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
Low |
Summer Embargo Risk
Low |
Reliability
High |
| AirAsia / VietJet |
Route
SGN/HAN → BKK/DMK |
Brachycephalic Restrictions
N/A — no AVIH on international routes |
Summer Embargo Risk
N/A |
Reliability
No AVIH |
Thailand is a short flight from Vietnam, so in-cabin travel is available to more pets than on longer routes.
Travels in the cabin with the owner, in a soft-sided carrier under the seat.
Flies on the same flight as the owner, in the temperature-controlled hold.
Does not fly with the owner, with fewer limits on weight and size.
Applied to every pet flying the Thailand route.
Eight weeks and fully weaned is the floor for carriage, and some airlines set it higher. Cabin allowances count pet and crate together. Pregnant animals are not accepted.
IATA and IPATA both advise against sedation, and a pet known to be sedated can be refused at the counter. Crate conditioning on a six-week schedule does that work instead.
Every journey is different — see how we handled a real relocation case for a pet traveling from Vietnam to Thailand.
A poodle checked in as AVIH with every document ready — except one. See how a missing DLD Import Permit got her denied boarding in Da Nang, and what it took to get her to her owner in Bangkok safely, 36 hours later.
Thailand is one of the most streamlined routes we handle — and we make sure every document deadline is met precisely
Thailand’s no-quarantine arrival and free DLD Import Permit keep total costs low — the main variables are the airline AVIH charge and a small government fee at arrival
Last updated 18 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
Tell us about your pet — breed, weight, and target travel date. We’ll confirm the best airline and provide a clear 6-week plan with a detailed cost breakdown within 24 hours.