Flying Into Bkk With A Large Dog

[gray42]

I'll be flying into BKK from the USA, then on to Koh Samui. Both flights are with Thai Airways. I'll have a large dog with me that I will check in as "excess baggage" (instead of as cargo, which I was told opens you up to being ripped off). In BKK I'll have a 9 hour layover before leaving for Koh Samui. Once in BKK I'll also need to take my dog to the airport vet to get the import papers. I'm wondering with the long layover and the flight transfer, will I need to go pick up my dog in his crate and all my other bags, and then recheck them in for the Koh Samui flight, and THEN get my dog checked out? Will they bring my dog to the airport vet for me? If I have to pick up my dog and all my bags, I'll have a LOT of stuff. I won't be able to transport it on my own. Will there be people at the airport who can help me with this?

I'm also wondering if during the 9 hour layover, will I be able to take my dog out of the airport to pee? Or is there a place inside the airport where he can pee?

I called Thai Airways but they didn't seem too sure of the process. If anybody has experience with this type of situation I'd really appreciate some advice.

Thanks

[CharlieH]

I'm sure you would get more advice and appropriate guidance in the PET FORUM

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/81-plants-pets-vets-in-thailand/

There are pinned topics on importing pets etc.

[smokie36]

Ahhh Woof! no idea you might also try on the Samui forum for more advice on the internal flight.

...some knowledgeable posters there especially on dogs.

Best of luck!!

Edited July 9, 2011 by smokie36

[wolf5370]

A few things. Firstly, are you sure the airline will let you check the dog as baggage (many do not allow large dogs to go this way any more) - I brought a dog in 2 years ago and was forced to use cargo as no airline would allow them to travel as baggage (depends on what you mean by a big dog too - mine was 60kg). If you do go cargo, use a Thai agent and then you will not get ripped off - they have set under-counter fees agreed and move through very quickly - they will then bring the dog to you in BKK outside the airport.

In the past dogs have been known to die on lay-overs - as they are often left in their crates on the hot runway waiting for re-loading. Another reason to use cargo - they go direct in a cargo plane. Its a good idea to try and ensure the layover is at night for this reason.

As to the vet - I had to have all the papers first - then fax them ahead to some Thai office (can't remember the exact details) where they completed a form and faxed it back (in my case we faxed it to the agent and he took it to the office and got the form - small fee for that) - there was no Thailand side check at all. Their has to be a vet check 24 hours or 48 hrs (can't remember exactly again) before shipping (USA side in your case) , but that is just a check. Must have all vaccinations and up to date rabbies shot BEFORE leaving (used to be OK to do it Thai side, but this changed two weeks before we shipped!).

If you are interested in a good Thai side agent, then PM me and I'll try and dig out his details from my emails - prices quoted up front (with a give or take factor due to under table stuff - we are talking $50 max variance) and it all went through just fine.

Edited July 9, 2011 by wolf5370

[7by7]

Off topic post removed.

[jalansanitwong]

The last thing we need is another dog in Thailand.Leave the mutt at home. Actually if its a well groomed canine the Thai's will be drooling at the mouth. It could very quickly end up on a BBQ.

[happyrobert]

Brought over three dogs two years ago on three separate flights--stop by and meet the sometime, Jalansantiwong, and we'll see who eats who--and I have attached a PDF from the Thai Department of Suchnsuch for you to peruse.

I have no idea whether my dogs were cargo or baggage - two were in kennels and flew downstairs, the other, being a rescue dog, got to fly upstairs and even got a couple of free meals and ice cream. But that was United.

Days prior to departure, I had my vet give them a check and type up a letter stating all were up to date on vac's, and had had a check-up with clean bill of health. Then went to Federal vet with Dept of Ag, to get paper. You do NOT take your dog to him/her, don't ever even see him; the secreatry will give you a form that you fill out, then she takes it into the fed vet's office and has him/her sign it, then she puts a seal on it, you give her too much money for the three minutes this all took, and you're on your way.

Dogs must be in approved kennel, I bought at Pet Smart.

That's it for prep. Oh, kennel needs water bottle. Duh.

At BKK I went from Immigration a couple hundred feet to the Thai vet's office with my papers, stopping along the way to pick up my dog(s). Put them on a cart and wheeled them to his office where he proceeded not to examine them, just smiled, had me fill out a paper or two (my address, etc) and pay him, I think, 300 baht per dog and I was on my way.

Had to pay another, I believe, 1000 baht to go through customs, official receipt provided, and out the door, across the reception area and over to the parking garage for a well deserved peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I drove from there. As for you, I would guess that you would put Fido back in the kennel, and wait for your next flight.

I had a contact at the airport. He met me at the gate coming off the plane and escorted me through diplo immigration (10 lines, no waiting) and made sure the dogs were brought to the terminal asap, and took care of my bags on another cart, and also stood by while I did my business with the vet. I think I gave him 500 baht each time. Just going through diplomatic at midnight, in leass than 30 seconds, while others were standing in line for 30 minutes, was worth that. PM me if you want his contact number.

Easy. Don't sweat it.

Oh, unless you have one of the breeds that are not allowed to be brought in? That would be the Pits!

DOGS TO THAILAND.pdf

[gray42]

Ahhh Woof! no idea you might also try on the Samui forum for more advice on the internal flight.

...some knowledgeable posters there especially on dogs.

Best of luck!!

Thanks Smokie, but Samui isn't what I'm worried about. I've heard that's a great airport. I'm just worried about BKK

[gray42]

A few things. Firstly, are you sure the airline will let you check the dog as baggage (many do not allow large dogs to go this way any more) - I brought a dog in 2 years ago and was forced to use cargo as no airline would allow them to travel as baggage (depends on what you mean by a big dog too - mine was 60kg). If you do go cargo, use a Thai agent and then you will not get ripped off - they have set under-counter fees agreed and move through very quickly - they will then bring the dog to you in BKK outside the airport.

In the past dogs have been known to die on lay-overs - as they are often left in their crates on the hot runway waiting for re-loading. Another reason to use cargo - they go direct in a cargo plane. Its a good idea to try and ensure the layover is at night for this reason.

As to the vet - I had to have all the papers first - then fax them ahead to some Thai office (can't remember the exact details) where they completed a form and faxed it back (in my case we faxed it to the agent and he took it to the office and got the form - small fee for that) - there was no Thailand side check at all. Their has to be a vet check 24 hours or 48 hrs (can't remember exactly again) before shipping (USA side in your case) , but that is just a check. Must have all vaccinations and up to date rabbies shot BEFORE leaving (used to be OK to do it Thai side, but this changed two weeks before we shipped!).

If you are interested in a good Thai side agent, then PM me and I'll try and dig out his details from my emails - prices quoted up front (with a give or take factor due to under table stuff - we are talking $50 max variance) and it all went through just fine.

Thanks for the info. My dog is actually closer to a medium sized dog. About 28kg. I looked into an agent, but here in the USA. It was close to $4,000 for them to ship the dog! Waay too expensive. What range do you think a Thai agent would charge?

[gray42]

Brought over three dogs two years ago on three separate flights--stop by and meet the sometime, Jalansantiwong, and we'll see who eats who--and I have attached a PDF from the Thai Department of Suchnsuch for you to peruse.

I have no idea whether my dogs were cargo or baggage - two were in kennels and flew downstairs, the other, being a rescue dog, got to fly upstairs and even got a couple of free meals and ice cream. But that was United.

Days prior to departure, I had my vet give them a check and type up a letter stating all were up to date on vac's, and had had a check-up with clean bill of health. Then went to Federal vet with Dept of Ag, to get paper. You do NOT take your dog to him/her, don't ever even see him; the secreatry will give you a form that you fill out, then she takes it into the fed vet's office and has him/her sign it, then she puts a seal on it, you give her too much money for the three minutes this all took, and you're on your way.

Dogs must be in approved kennel, I bought at Pet Smart.

That's it for prep. Oh, kennel needs water bottle. Duh.

At BKK I went from Immigration a couple hundred feet to the Thai vet's office with my papers, stopping along the way to pick up my dog(s). Put them on a cart and wheeled them to his office where he proceeded not to examine them, just smiled, had me fill out a paper or two (my address, etc) and pay him, I think, 300 baht per dog and I was on my way.

Had to pay another, I believe, 1000 baht to go through customs, official receipt provided, and out the door, across the reception area and over to the parking garage for a well deserved peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I drove from there. As for you, I would guess that you would put Fido back in the kennel, and wait for your next flight.

I had a contact at the airport. He met me at the gate coming off the plane and escorted me through diplo immigration (10 lines, no waiting) and made sure the dogs were brought to the terminal asap, and took care of my bags on another cart, and also stood by while I did my business with the vet. I think I gave him 500 baht each time. Just going through diplomatic at midnight, in leass than 30 seconds, while others were standing in line for 30 minutes, was worth that. PM me if you want his contact number.

Easy. Don't sweat it.

Oh, unless you have one of the breeds that are not allowed to be brought in? That would be the Pits!

Great info! Thank you for this Robert. Just having SOME idea of the customs/vet process once I get to BKK makes me feel better. I would like to get in touch with your contact. I will PM you. Also thank you for the attachment.