Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Pet owners in the capital will soon be required to register their dogs and cats and have them implanted with microchips, following a new city ordinance set to take effect on 10 January 2026, announced Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Ordinance on the Control of Animal Keeping or Abandonment aims to establish a comprehensive database to monitor pets, facilitate the return of lost animals to their owners and help reduce the city’s stray animal population.

 

Pet owners can have their animals microchipped free of charge at eight BMA veterinary clinics or via mobile units operating across Bangkok’s 50 districts. Private veterinary clinics also provide the service, although fees may apply.

 

The eight BMA veterinary clinics offering 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

 

To obtain a pet passport, owners must present, their identity card or passport, household registration, supporting documents such as vaccination certificates and sterilisation certificates (if available), landlord consent (if renting) and a power of attorney if someone else registers the pet on their behalf.

 

Microchips must be implanted and registered within 120 days of the animal’s birth or within 30 days of the pet being brought to Bangkok. Benefits of microchipping include permanent identification, easier recovery of lost pets, proof of ownership in disputes, and discouraging abandonment.

 

The ordinance also sets limits on pet ownership based on property size:

 

• Rented rooms/condominiums (20–80 sqm): 1 pet

• Condominiums over 80 sqm: up to 2 pets

• Properties 20–50 sqm: 2–3 pets

• Properties 50–100 sqm: 3–4 pets

• Properties over 100 sqm: up to 6 pets

 

Households exceeding these limits before 10 January 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 animals, including aquatic species, reptiles or dangerous animals, do not require registration or microchipping. However, owners remain responsible for controlling these animals and must not release them into public spaces.

 

Keeping pets for commercial or social purposes that cause a nuisance or health hazard falls under the Public Health Act, 2002, Section 29, and offenders may face fines of up to 25,000 baht. The BMA’s regulations provide further detailed provisions to protect public health and welfare.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-08-24

 

 

 

The sheer hubris of those pushing these 'announcements' is staggering... In a city where only 71% of motorcyclists bother to wear helmets...  I kind of marvel at the fantasy that ‘pet chipping’ could ever be enforced.

 

The idea itself has merit - but execution? Predictably nonexistent. Most pet owners won’t know these rules exist, and even fewer will care.... Compliance, as always, is optional....

 

A few token announcements, ignored by the masses, and yet the powers that be believe that a statement alone equals progress... The delusion of assuming awareness is transformation is still staggering, even after decades of reading such announcements... 

 

 

On 8/24/2025 at 6:29 AM, richard_smith237 said:

The sheer hubris of those pushing these 'announcements' is staggering... In a city where only 71% of motorcyclists bother to wear helmets...  I kind of marvel at the fantasy that ‘pet chipping’ could ever be enforced.

 

The idea itself has merit - but execution? Predictably nonexistent. Most pet owners won’t know these rules exist, and even fewer will care.... Compliance, as always, is optional....

 

A few token announcements, ignored by the masses, and yet the powers that be believe that a statement alone equals progress... The delusion of assuming awareness is transformation is still staggering, even after decades of reading such announcements... 

 

 

 

I agree however this may be part of a bigger picture.  It will give landlords or villaesdirection on what a tenant/owner can have and what can be done. The village that is used to live in people had big dogs that were kept in the car park and never exercised.  

 

It will also make it easier t contact and bill people when they round up the strays on the soi.  No chip means that they can just euthanize without worrying about owners.

 

The helmet law is the same thing.  While it may not be chargedl ike it should and that is an isue you can bet Insurance companies jump all over it when accident claims come in.

 

Just wondering when othere provinces will do this.

 

 

This is something that people don't want it, even if it's for free 🤔🤣

Great idea but unenforceable in Thailand.

What will they do with unchipped animals?

Feed them to the crocodiles ?

I don't think so. 

On 8/24/2025 at 5:18 AM, Georgealbert said:

and have them implanted with microchips, f

 

Oh really!

 

About 50% people don't wear helmets, and I believe they also stated 35% don't even have a license, but you think they are going to hurry up (or even care about) microchiping their dogs?! 🤣