Bangkok to Enforce Mandatory Pet Microchipping and Ownership Limits Starting 2026
BANGKOK – Starting January 10, 2026, Bangkok residents will be required to microchip and register their dogs and cats, as part of new pet ownership regulations introduced by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to tackle the growing issue of stray animals.
Key Highlights of the Regulation
🔹 Mandatory Microchipping
All dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered:
- Within 120 days of birth, or
- Within 30 days of new ownership
🔹 Limit on Number of Pets per Household
The number of pets allowed will depend on the size of the living space:
- Apartments/Condos (20–80 sq.m.): 1 pet
- Apartments/Condos (80+ sq.m.): 2 pets
- Land plots (≤20 sq. wah): 2 pets
- Land plots (≤50 sq. wah): 3 pets
- Land plots (≤100 sq. wah): 4 pets
- Land plots (100+ sq. wah): 6 pets max
🔹 Control of Dangerous Breeds
Owners of breeds deemed dangerous, such as pit bulls and Rottweilers, must notify district offices for special monitoring and control.
🔹 Economic Animals Restricted
Livestock such as cows, horses, ducks, and chickens can only be kept in designated areas.
Purpose and Enforcement
The BMA announced via its official Facebook page that the regulation is designed to enhance public safety and manage the stray pet population more effectively. While specific penalties for non-compliance were not disclosed, the BMA emphasized that all pet owners must strictly follow the law once it takes effect.
The pet regulation was approved last year and officially announced in the Royal Gazette on January 15, 2024. It will be enforceable within 360 days of that announcement.
Deputy City Governor Tavida Kamolvej reiterated the city’s stance on responsible pet ownership, highlighting that these measures aim to reduce pet abandonment and improve overall animal welfare in urban areas.
Pet owners are urged to prepare early by ensuring their pets are microchipped and by checking that they comply with the new space-based pet limits to avoid future penalties.
