The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will soon enforce new regulations to control the number of pets allowed per household, aiming to improve public health and reduce nuisances in the capital. The amended pet ownership rules, approved by the Bangkok Council, await endorsement from Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt for publication in the Royal Gazette. Once announced, the regulation will come into effect 360 days later.
Under the new policy, residents will face specific limits on the number of cats and dogs they can keep, based on property size. For apartments or rental units measuring between 20 to 80 square meters, a maximum of two pets will be permitted. Households occupying 80 to 200 square meters may have up to three pets, while properties between 200 and 400 square meters can house four pets. Residences over 400 square meters will be allowed up to six pets.
Additionally, certain dog breeds—such as pit bull terriers, bull terriers, Rottweilers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and Fila Brasileiro—will require special permits due to safety concerns. The new regulation also prohibits keeping pets in public spaces or on other people’s property without permission. All pet owners must microchip their animals as part of the identification protocol.
Violations of the regulation will carry penalties under the Public Health Act of 1992, including fines up to 10,000 baht and potential imprisonment if a pet causes harm or nuisance. The BMA has identified 198,682 pets across Bangkok, including 53,991 owned dogs and 115,821 owned cats, along with approximately 28,870 stray animals. The Health Department’s mobile veterinary unit will provide sterilization services for strays, and aggressive animals will be relocated to the city’s dog shelter in Prawet district.
Council member Napapol Jirakul stated that the regulation aims to curb disruptions caused by pets and stray animals, ensuring public safety and encouraging responsible pet ownership among Bangkok’s residents.
