The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to implement a new policy aimed at regulating the number of domesticated cats and dogs within the city.
Surachit Phongsinghvithya, president of the Bangkok Council, announced on Saturday that the council has approved an amendment to its pet ownership regulations. This amendment will be submitted to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt for publication in the Royal Gazette and will take effect 360 days after the announcement.
Napapol Jirakul, a council member representing the Bangkok Noi district and chairman of the special committee overseeing the changes, stated that the amendment seeks to limit the number of pets per household to enhance public health, prevent disease, and mitigate disturbances in Bangkok.
“Bangkok will be divided into zones to determine the permissible number of dogs and cats per owner based on their living area,” he explained.
For condominium units or rentals between 20m² and 80m², the BMA will allow one or two pets. Households with larger spaces of 80m² to 200m² may have up to three pets, while properties ranging from 200m² to 400m² can accommodate up to four pets. Homes exceeding 400m² may keep as many as six pets.
The regulation also includes specific restrictions for certain dog breeds, such as pit bull terriers, bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, Rottweilers, and Fila Brasileiro. Owners of these breeds are required to obtain special permission.
Additionally, raising dogs and cats in public spaces or on private property without consent is prohibited. Each pet owner must also ensure their pets are microchipped according to Bangkok’s identification requirements.
Violators of the regulation may face penalties under the Public Health Act of 1992 and its amendments, with fines reaching up to 10,000 baht. An owner may also face up to one month in jail if their dog bites another person or pet. If a dog barks excessively, causing a public disturbance, penalties may include a maximum of one month in jail and a fine of 10,000 baht.
According to BMA estimates, there are currently 198,682 dogs and cats in the capital, comprising 53,991 owned dogs, 8,945 stray dogs, 115,821 owned cats, and 19,925 stray cats.
To help reduce the stray animal population, the BMA’s Health Department operates a mobile veterinary unit that provides sterilization services in various neighborhoods. Aggressive dogs will be taken to the Bangkok Dog Control and Shelter in the Prawet district.
“By enforcing this regulation, we aim to address the issues of pets and stray animals causing disturbances in Bangkok, thereby enhancing safety for all and holding pet owners accountable for the care of their pets,” he added.
