What are the requirements for importing a cat to Thailand on a tourist visa and converting to a retirement visa?

@Peter *********

, I don't know about other cats, but mine never pooped or peed during flights (we had 4 long distance flights, we used soft carrier). Cats tend to keep their space clean and feel safer when their owner is nearby. I guess it influences what they do or not do during the flight.

@Ravit *****************

They define ‘cargo’ as travelling without the owner. My cat was in a special cargo area in the plane which was considered to an accompanied cat.

I wonder how much trouble it causes to other passengers when a cat needs to pee and poop during travel in the cabin. Better have her separate in a suitable container.

And it is easier to get the approval for Pet in Cabin rather that Cargo or as Handled bag. Your cat would be better next to you during the flight. You'll feel better too. I flew with my cat between continents 4 times in the past year, and I'm glad I chose taking her as Pet in cabin. It makes things much easier.

Aww well for UK we cannot get passports for our pets anymore so it’s only the health certificate and yes microchip etc each country is different

@Chanelle ********************

Something tells me this document is not right. I emailed and they sent me an official document stating the requirements. Rule #1: The cat must be chipped before vaccinations. Rule #2: The cat must bevaccinated against common cat diseases and rabies.

<more rules>

At least for EU citizens it is mandatory to have everything documented in an international passport. On top of that, a health certificate according to this and that model must be presented, not older than max 10 days before your arrival in Thailand, and verified by a national organisation (in Netherlands ‘the Food and Goods Authority’ - NVWA, don’t ask me why).

At the end the Thai rules stated that we do *not* need an import permit when the cat is flying with us in the same plane when we enter Thailand on Suvarnabhum Airport. The life stock inspection at the airport will check our documents and a permit is issued on the spot.

We had our cat in an IATA carrier and the cat was very carefully and gently handled by a security official who took her to a special area in the plane where a proper temperature for travel was maintained. I was quite impressed how well the cat was when we received him back at the airport. He doesn’t respond well when being mistreated but he was totally comfortable when they brought him into the cargo pickup area at the airport.

The Dutch lady from NVWA was complaining about the lack of a blood test. I told her it is not necessary and she insisted several times. In the end she said “You can be assured they won’t let the cat back into Netherlands when you return.” and I had to explain we were going on a one way ticket.

She asked “Don’t you like Netherlands?”. I smiled and replied “After the long monologue and irrelevant discussion we just had the move gets actually a lot easier.” 🤣

@Peter *********

no I didn’t have too I think it might be random if there not happy with the documents on arrival or maybe they just add it in incase not sure

@Chanelle ********************

30 day quarantine?? I’ve never seen that one before. No quarantine at all when I imported my cat one month ago…

@Peter *********

yes I had him already microchipped as I moved him from Shanghai to Uk then Thailand :) 🇹🇭

@Chanelle ********************

Good summary. Apparently the UK government gives different information than the Dutch government.

I had so much different (and contradicting) information from various sites that I decided to inquire at the Thai authorities.

I presume your cat was chipped already.

@Leigh **********

I was just worried for you. Hope it all goes well now. You're cat's very lucky to have you. 😊

@Leigh **********

you didn't explain clearly what you've already done. The visa, the bank account, seasoned the money, etc.

@Steve ******

they really need to spend some time getting their ducks in a row. Just turning up, with a cat, and starting the bank account and "retirement" stuff, with no real idea maybe isn't wise.

Import Approval issued at customs check Bangkok

Import License issued at health check in Bangkok

Airline Declaration

Passport with vaccinations and health check