BANGKOK — Pet owners in Thailand’s capital will be required to register their dogs and cats and have them implanted with microchips under a new city ordinance that takes effect January 10, 2026, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on the Control of Animal Keeping or Abandonment aims to create a comprehensive database system to monitor pets, facilitate reuniting lost animals with their owners, and reduce the city’s stray animal population.
Pet owners can have their animals microchipped free of charge at eight BMA veterinary clinics or mobile units operating across Bangkok’s 50 districts. Private veterinary clinics also offer the service, though fees may apply.
The eight BMA veterinary clinics that offer free registration and microchip implantation are:
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 1 (Si Phraya), Bang Rak District, tel. 0-2236-4055 ext. 213
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 2 (Min Buri), Min Buri district, tel. 0-2914-5822
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 3 (Wat That Thong), Watthana district, tel. 0-2392-9278 ext. 118
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 4 (Bang Khen), Chatuchak District, tel. 0-2579-1342 ext. 15
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 5 (Wat Hong Rattanaram), Bangkok Yai District, tel. 0-2472-5895 ext. 109
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 6 (Chuang Nuchanet), Chom Thong District, tel. 0-2476-6493 ext. 1104
- BMA Veterinary Clinic 7 (Bangkok Noi), Bangkok Noi District, tel. 0-2411-2432
- Rabies Control Department, Din Daeng District, tel. 0-2245-3311
The documents required for registration (to obtain the pet passport) include: the owner’s identity card, the household registration where the pet lives and supporting documents such as vaccination certificates, sterilization certificates (if available), the landlord’s consent (if the owner is a tenant), and a power of attorney (if another person is registering on his behalf).
Owners must have a microchip registered and implanted within 120 days of the animal’s birth or within 30 days of the animal being brought to Bangkok. The benefits of the microchip include permanent identification that cannot be lost, facilitating the return of lost pets, proof of ownership in case of disputes, and reducing pet abandonment.
The limits for owning pets are as follows:
- Rented rooms or condominiums (20–80 square meters): 1 pet
- Condominiums (over 80 square meters): up to 2 pets
- Properties up to 20 sqm (80 sqm): 2 pets
- Properties up to 50 sqm (200 sqm): 3 pets
- Properties up to 100 sqm (400 sqm): 4 pets
- Properties over 100 sqm (400 sqm): up to 6 pets
Households that exceed these limits before January 10, 2026, must report to their district office within 90 days (10 January – 9 April 2026). Businesses such as farms, pet cafés, and pet shops must comply with the BMA Ordinance on Businesses Hazardous to Health, 2018.
Other types of animals such as aquatic animals, reptiles, or dangerous species do not need to be chipped or registered. However, owners are still responsible for strict control and are not allowed to release such animals into public spaces.
The keeping of pets for commercial or social purposes that constitute a nuisance or health hazard is covered by the Public Health Act, 2002, Section 29, and offenders who continue to carry on prohibited health-hazardous businesses may be fined up to 25,000 baht ($617).
The BMA’s Regulation of Businesses Hazardous to Health also contains detailed provisions for the regulation of businesses, involving animals in order to protect public health and welfare.
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