It's not always paw-sible to take your furry sidekicks with you everywhere in Bangkok. Luckily, the city is getting friendlier for pawrents and their fur babies as the pet-friendly policy seems to be on the rise at parks, malls and condos. So, hoomans who look to spend QT with their pets should heed our list of pet-friendly venues in Bangkok below.
Day or night out
A day date or night out, these downtown community spaces are pawfect for bringing your pets along, thanks to their semi-outdoor areas and a line-up of restaurants and bars. Upon the first paw stepping at theCommons Thonglor or Sala Daeng, your dog will be treated like a star. From everyone looking in your direction with happy faces to ladies asking for a selfie (with your pet, just to be clear), your pet never gets bored. While exploring the Thong Lor branch, don't forget to visit the P(a)ws Club for treats and stylish pet accessories, or get a pet portrait. Keep in mind that although there are plenty of outdoor spaces, the evenings can get quite busy, so ensure your companion is cool with crowds. Visit thecommonsbkk.com.
Shopping pals
Who knew your cat had such strong opinions about interior design after using its claws on your Hilleborg? Ikea green lit their pet-friendly policy last week, welcoming cats and dogs weight under 15kg to join their human friends at all branches in Bangkok and Phuket. But there's a catch. Pet owners are allowed to bring their furry shoppers but they must stay in a buggy with a zipper only and the cafeteria is off limits. Get nostalgic for Pet Society while sniffing out ideal pieces for your home decoration. I did and it was fun to have a shopping partner in crime who doesn’t judge, but meow! Visit ikea.co.th.
A movie date
Is there anything better than enjoying your favourite movie on a big screen with a bucket of popcorn? Well, yes, there is! Major Cineplex and pet-centric company i-Tel Corporation have hopped on the pet-friendly bandwagon, introducing their i-Tail Pet Cinema, where you can watch a movie with your pet. They promise to treat your fur babies the same as any other, with a comfy pet carrier bag sitting and a pet diaper for any accidents. No need to worry about the loud sounds of a movie, as they lower the volume by 30% while keeping the lights on during the screening. If your doggo is a chatterbox, they will ask you to calm it down outside before resuming the movie. The pet-friendly cinemas are available at Mega Bangna's Mega Cineplex, Central Eastville's Eastville Cineplex and Major Cinema Robinson Ratchapruek. They welcome only cats and dogs for B99 per seat for the first screening of the day on weekends only. Visit majorcineplex.com. Visit majorcineplex.com.
Pets first, people later
If you can't find a pet sitter, no worries. These pet-friendly Bangkok hotels got you covered. Though it is best to always contact the hotel for specific requirements and policies, especially with sizes and rare pets.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok welcomes pets of all kinds, regardless of weight or size, at no extra charge. "If your pet fits through the door, we'll welcome them in with no extra fee," is their policy and we live for it. Your feathery or scaly friends are also allowed to check-in. The hotel just needs a heads-up and your room will be a pet's paradise, with a bed, cat condo, bowl, piddle pads and welcome treats. Arguably the most pet-friendly hotel in town, there is also a lush garden for walkies and an exclusive menu for pets at its on-site cafe, Craft. Visit kimptonmaalaibangkok.com.
With a charge of B750 per pet per room, W Bangkok (bit.ly/43wSC3U) hooks little guys up with toys, treats, a bed and water bowls, as well as an on-call concierge, who takes care of the walking or pet sitting in your absence. For travellers with pets under 7kg, The Athenee Hotel (bit.ly/3MQMKLA) welcomes a furry companion for free, while the urban oasis Sukhothai Bangkok (sukhothai.com/bangkok) allows larger pets (upto 35kg per room) for B500, with in-room pet amenities and a pet sitter, upon request.
Petacular paradise
At Trail And Tail on Sukhumvit 39, your dog can be off-leash hours, so you can wind down from pet-parent duties while letting your pooch run wild with its friends on a lawn. Touting as a one-stop service, the place boasts a fenced-in dog park, a training school with a dog pool, a pet hotel with a separate wing for cats and dogs, a pet shop and a pet wellness centre. And, of course, a cafe for hoomans to have a tail-waggingly good time, too. They are currently accepting a good boy or girl for the summer term at the training school, with animal acting classes, scent working classes and socialising. By June 30, snag an early bird promotion for all 16 classes at just B9,000. Visit fb.com/trailandtailbkk.
A walk in the park
We can’t believe it’s taken Bangkok this long to get a public dog park in the city centre. Last year, City Hall turned over a new leaf by unveiling a pooch-friendly enclosure called the BMA Dog Park, which expanded from the lush landscape of Benjakitti Forest Park. Next to the main entrance on Ratchadaphisek Road (Gate 1), the area is paved, with on-leash hours from 5am-9pm. Expect sprinklers to keep your pal cool and entertained, and though there is a dog toilet, it's always better to have poop bags handy. Register at bit.ly/3J3Uclm, as a security guard will be checking for proof of registration before letting you and your dogs in.
If you don’t mind taking your city critters on a roadtrip, the BMA Dog Park on Ram Intra Road offers a much larger space for adventures. Adjacent to Vachara Phirom Park, this pet-friendly park is surrounded by lush greenery and grassy lawns, providing the perfect playground for your furry pals to roll and romp around. There're separated off-leash enclosed spaces for big and small dogs and a 340m paved walking track. Also on-site are water fountains and a doggy-bag dispenser. Insider's tip: A few areas at the dog den are beneath the Chalong Rat expressway, so if your dog is sensitive to loud noises, it’s best to steer clear.
Adopt a new friend
Thinking about expanding the family to little ones with four legs and a tail? Check out these pet adoption centres.
Paws Bangkok (fb.com/pawsbangkok) is setting up an adoptable cat cafe pop-up at Asok Pethouse on Sukhumvit 19, every weekend through June. You can browse through their Facebook page, where you can take a look at cats and kittens of various breeds and ages who are up for adoption. They also accept a donation for the medical expense of their rescued furballs via pawsbangkok.give.asia.
For dog people, Jai Dog Rescue Foundation (jaidogrescue.org) offers detailed descriptions of each good boys and girls on their website, helping you decide if a specific pet is right for you. Or take a two-hour ride to their shelter in Nakhon Nayok, where you can be certain you won't return empty-handed.