Choosing a Pet-Friendly Condo in Bangkok: What I Wish I Had Asked

When I moved to Huai Khwang, I thought finding a pet-friendly condo would be simple. I have a loud Siamese cat called Dao, a stack of vaccination papers and a good job. But the first agent told me, with a smile, that the building allowed pets, and only on the day of the contract did I learn that this meant one small pet under five kilos, and a form signed by the juristic person. I almost lost the room.

So here is what I learned. First, ask for the pet rules in writing. Many Bangkok condos say pets are allowed, but the real rules are in the house regulations: how many, what size, which species, whether cats can use the lift and whether you need to register the animal. Some buildings accept cats but not dogs, or dogs under a certain weight. Some ask for a deposit.

Second, ask about the balcony. A cat on a high floor needs a safe balcony, ideally with netting. In my first viewing, the balcony railing was wide enough for a cat to fall through, and the owner said I could not install anything on the exterior of the building. I said goodbye to that room. Many people buy a net that does not need drilling, but check the rules first.

Third, look at the neighbourhood. A pet-friendly building in a street without a single green space is not very pet-friendly. Near my condo there is a small park, two vets and a 24-hour pet shop, which matters more than the swimming pool. Ask the security guard where people walk their dogs. Guards know everything.

Fourth, think about noise. Dao talks to me while I cook, and the walls are thin. I told my neighbours on the first day, with a small box of sweets, and nobody has complained. A friendly introduction does more than any rule.

In the end I found a quiet building on the seventh floor with a screened balcony and a landlord who owns a dog herself. Dao now sits on the windowsill watching the traffic like a tiny film critic. If you are looking for a place, use the Wagdee places list to find vets and parks before you sign. And always, always read the contract twice.