Dear Mr. Know-It-All: I currently live in a rare serviced apartment in Bangkok that openly welcomes dogs. But I’m looking into buying a condo and everywhere I go they don’t allow pets. Basically, all real estate agents tell me the same thing. They keep suggesting that I should live in a house or keep my dog secretly in a condo. Is this really my only option in Bangkok? Do you know any condos that welcome dogs? If I do keep my dog secretly at a condo and get caught, what’s going to happen to my dog or me?—Petzzz
Dear Petzzz: To tell you the truth, there are actually a lot of condos out there in Bangkok that are pet-friendly. I’m not sure about the whole hide-your-dog thing—dogs bark and need to be taken for walks, I’m sure you know that. Unless you’re living in a condo full of half-blind retirees with hearing aids, it would be quite hard for your dog to live there unnoticed. I have managed to find a number of good condos in Bangkok for you, though. But since you didn’t specify the price range or the location, I’m just going to give you the ones with the best facilities for you and your dog. It might not be cheap, but hey, anything for your poochy-woochy right?
Chatrium Residence Bangkok (291 Narathiwat Soi 24, New Sathorn Rd., 02-672-0200. www.chatriumresidence.com) is a top-notch residence for top-notch people and top-notch dogs. I think you can guess how top-notch the price will be, too. There’s a fierce policy on restricted areas for big dogs though. Upon check-in, they will charge B5,000 as a deposit and it will be returned upon check-out provided that no doggy damage was done.
Grand Park Town Tower B. (Soi Sahakarnpramoon [Soi Laos Embassy], Prachauthit Rd., 02-934-4829) is located in a convenient area just a short way to main roads and with easy access to the city via expressway and MRT. Its facilities include a swimming pool and fitness center… for humans, though, not dogs. Technically, pets are not actually allowed but since people seem to bring them in anyways, the management seems to let it go provided that they are not a nuisance to the other residences.
I.T.F. Silom Palace (160/16 Suriyawong Rd., 02-237-2552, 02-237-2554 www.itfsilom.com) is smack in the middle of the central business district with BTS, MRT, and shopping complexes nearby. You can also take your dog for recreation at Suan Lumpini. Just make sure your dog doesn’t smell, make a lot of noise, or do anything that would make a neighbor file a complaint.
Belle Park Resident Tower 2 (Soi Narathiwat Soi 24, Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd., Sathorn, 02-674-0444). Guess the Narathiwat people are dog loving, so your canine will have plenty of friends there. This condo near the city center is equipped with a huge swimming pool, two tennis courts and a fitness center.