Bangkok residents who own dogs and cats will need to register and microchip their pets, as mandated by a new city law taking effect from January 10 next year.
Pets must be microchipped within 120 days of their birth or within 30 days of becoming a pet owner. Additionally, the regulation imposes limits on the number of pets one can keep, based on the size of the living space, and includes restrictions on owning certain dangerous breeds.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced via Facebook on Wednesday that this new regulation targets the issue of stray animals and is set to be enforced starting January 10 next year.
The regulation aims to safeguard public safety by ensuring that both people and animals adhere to these rules.
According to the BMA’s Facebook post, pet owners are required to comply with this ordinance or face penalties, although specific details about the punishments were not disclosed.
The announcement referred generally to “pets,” with Thai media outlets interpreting this to specifically mean dogs and cats.
Deputy City Governor Tavida Kamolvej stated that the pet control regulation, approved by the BMA last year, was published in the Royal Gazette on January 15 and would be enacted within 360 days.
The law requires pet owners to register and microchip their pets and sets a cap on the number of pets based on the size of the owner’s living space.
– In apartments or condominiums measuring 20 to 80 square meters, only one pet is allowed.
– Two pets may be kept in apartments or condominiums that are 80 square meters or larger.
– Up to two pets are permitted in homes with up to 20 square wah of land.
– Up to three pets can be kept in homes with up to 50 square wah of land.
– Four pets are allowed in homes with up to 100 square wah of land.
– In homes with 100 square wah of land or more, a maximum of six pets are permitted.
Economic animals like cows, horses, ducks, and chickens are only allowed in specifically designated areas.
The BMA also stipulates that all pets must be microchipped within 120 days from birth or within 30 days after acquisition.
Owners of recognized dangerous breeds, such as pit bulls and Rottweilers, are required to report to district authorities for special regulations concerning these animals.
