How to Bring a Dog from Korea to Thailand: Import Permit, Vaccines & Documents (Mochi’s Real Journey)
A real puppy, a real flight: how Mochi the Coton de Tulear flew from our kennel in Korea to his new family in Thailand.
Hi! This guide is told by Mochi, a boy Coton de Tulear born at our kennel in Korea who now lives with his family in Thailand. If you live in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket or anywhere in Thailand and you are looking for a puppy from a Korean breeder (Coton de Tulear, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Pomeranian, Poodle or another small breed), this is exactly the path your puppy will follow.
The journey at a glance
- 1FirstThai import permit (DLD)
- 23 moMicrochip + rabies & DHPPL
- 3+30 daysWait after the rabies shot
- 44 mo+Old enough to fly
- 5Before flightHealth certificate
- 6IncheonPapers checked + check-in
- 7In flightRight by my seat in a carrier
- 8BangkokChecked again, welcome!
Step-by-step chart: what happens and which documents you need
| Step | When | What happens | Documents to prepare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First, weeks before the flight | The import permit is requested from Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD). It cannot be issued at the airport, so apply at least 15 working days ahead. | Thai import permit |
| 2 | Around 3 months old | ISO microchip first, then the rabies vaccine and the combination vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis). | Microchip record · vaccination certificates |
| 3 | After the rabies shot | The rabies shot must be at least 21 days old on the flight date. We plan 30 days to keep a safe margin, and the puppy flies at 4 months or older. | Vaccine booklet |
| 4 | Just before departure | The Korean government quarantine office (APQA) issues the export health certificate. The vaccine batch numbers must match the vaccine booklet exactly. | Health certificate · vaccine booklet |
| 5 | Flight day, Incheon | Airport animal quarantine checks the papers, then the puppy checks in inside a soft carrier. | All originals |
| 6 | In flight | Small puppies usually travel in the cabin in a carrier, depending on the airline. | — |
| 7 | Arrival, Suvarnabhumi | Thai animal quarantine at Bangkok airport checks the puppy and the documents once more. | Import permit · health certificate |
| 8 | Home | No titer test and usually no long quarantine, so the puppy goes home with the family the same day in most cases. | — |
Thailand vs Indonesia: what is different?
| Thailand | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Import permit | Yes (DLD) | Yes (Barantin) |
| Rabies titer blood test | Not required | Required (0.5 IU/ml) |
| Typical flying age | About 4 months | About 5–6 months |
| Quarantine on arrival | Airport check, usually no stay | Usually 3–7 days |
| Our example | Mochi | Tsuki |
Document checklist (print this)
- Thai import permit (DLD), valid on arrival
- ISO microchip record (15-digit)
- Rabies vaccination certificate (21+ days before flight)
- Combination vaccine (DHPPL) record
- Vaccine booklet with matching batch numbers
- Korean government export health certificate
- Copies of everything, plus originals in the travel pouch
- Soft airline-approved carrier
The 8 steps explained
Step 1. The import permit comes first
Thailand asks for an import permit from the Department of Livestock Development before the puppy travels. It is usually requested by email and takes a few weeks, so we start this early together with the new family.
Step 2. Microchip, rabies and combination vaccines (about 3 months)
The ISO microchip goes in first, because every vaccine and certificate after it must show the same chip number. Then the rabies vaccine and the combination vaccine are given.
Step 3. The waiting period
Thailand needs the rabies shot to be at least 21 days old on the flight date. We plan for 30 days, and the puppy is over 4 months old when he flies.
Step 4. Health certificate and batch numbers
Just before departure, the Korean government quarantine office (APQA) issues the export health certificate. The vaccine batch numbers on the certificate must match the vaccine booklet exactly, or the papers can be refused.
Step 5. Incheon Airport
Airport animal quarantine checks the papers, and then the puppy checks in inside his carrier. We crate-train every puppy for weeks before the trip.
Step 6. The flight
Small puppies usually fly in the cabin in a carrier, depending on the airline. Mochi sat right next to his person all the way to Bangkok.
Step 7. Arrival at Suvarnabhumi
Thai animal quarantine at Bangkok airport checks the puppy and the documents once more. Thailand does not require a titer test or a long quarantine stay for puppies from Korea.
Step 8. Welcome home
From paperwork to the flight, Kim’s Pups was with Mochi the whole way, and we still stay in touch with his family.
Why Thai families adopt from Korean breeders
Korean kennels are known for sound, beautifully coated small companion breeds, and Thailand is one of the easiest countries to fly a puppy to from Korea: no titer test, no long quarantine and a short flight. What matters most is a breeder who handles the whole export process: health-tested parents, vaccinations on the right dates, the import permit, matching batch numbers and a calm, crate-trained puppy. That is what we do at Kim’s Pups for every family in Thailand, including our Coton de Tulear puppies.
Frequently asked questions
How old must a puppy be to fly from Korea to Thailand?
In practice about 4 months. The rabies shot must be given at around 3 months and be at least 21 days old on the flight date.
Does Thailand require a rabies titer test for dogs from Korea?
No. Thailand does not ask for a rabies antibody (titer) test, which is why the process is faster than for countries like Indonesia.
Is there quarantine for dogs entering Thailand?
The puppy is checked by animal quarantine at the airport on arrival. A long quarantine stay is not normally required when all documents are correct.
Who applies for the Thai import permit?
The permit is issued by Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development. We prepare every document and guide the new family through the application.
Can I adopt a Coton de Tulear from Korea if I live in Thailand?
Yes. Mochi is one example. We regularly send Coton de Tulear and other small-breed puppies to Thailand and stay in touch after they arrive.
Rules can change. Always confirm the current requirements with Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the Korean Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) before you book a flight.
Looking for a puppy from Korea in Thailand?
Tell us your city and the breed you love. We will send you the full timeline, the document list and the real cost for your puppy, in writing.
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