Cats of Bangkok, Thailand: Photos Of Stray Soi Cats In Bangkok

Bangkok is infamously regarded as a whirlpool of a city that chaotically sucks up anything in its path. I absolute love the gritty aspect this city has to offer.

Anybody who has spent significant time roaming about the streets and back-alleys likely would have noticed a few furry little feline friends wandering around Bangkok which is simply littered with cats.

Some are cared for, adored and exalted at a level often only seen in certain cultures; yet, many are feral and left to scrounge for leftover scraps dodging human activity and a plethora of vehicles whizzing on by. It’s survival of the fittest for the ones left to fend for themselves.

I’m personally a sucker for cats and I hold a soft spot for them. They’re also one of my favourite subjects for photography – whether they’re leaping and bounding for scraps of food or comfortably stretched out in the sun dozing off in a state of bliss.

The following is a photo essay of the cats of Bangkok:

Photos: Cats Of Bangkok, Thailand

I love candid shots of people and that extends to animals as well. Here I’ve captured this skittish cat just as it notices me.” alt=”I love candid shots of people and that extends to animals as well. Here I’ve captured this skittish cat just as it notices me.

A closer up shot of the same cat having looking a lot more relaxed in its demeanour.

I often envy how comfortable cats look when they’re resting/sleeping. This cat is completely stretched out on top of a table.

This is a close-up shot of the cat from the previous photo. Did I wake you? Sorry, you can go back to sleep now 🙂

A close-up shot of a well cared for domestic cat with big eyes and an inquisitive looking face – Bangkok, Thailand.

I think I smell fish! 😛

This kitty is enjoying an opportunistic moment to grab some fish while they’re being left unattended by a shop owner at a local market – Bangkok, Thailand.

A black and white shot of the same kitty losing it’s grip as it slides back down.

This street cat wonders if I have a nice can of tuna in my hand. I’m sorry. I’ve got nothing but my camera.

This cat is blissfully asleep on the ground under a table.

A close-up shot of its face.

Late at night, this cat with lovely eyes, takes a moment to pose for me before scrounging in the plastic bag for leftover scraps of food – Bangkok, Thailand.

This is an example of a mangy looking feral cat on the streets of Khao San road. You can tell from it’s coat of fur and lanky frame that it just barely gets by day to day.

This multicoloured cat is lying on top of a restaurant table. I love how the Thai people are so relaxed about things and permit something like this to happen quite often.

This kitten is just relaxing as it looks around.

This scrawny looking cat pauses briefly before suddenly dashing off under the bicycle.

Stray Cats Of Bangkok, Thailand: Soi Cats

A Common Sight in the City

Bangkok’s stray cats, known as Soi Cats, are a familiar part of the city’s bustling streets. Whether lounging in alleyways, resting near temples, or wandering around markets, these cats add a layer of charm to the urban landscape. Despite their rough lives, locals often care for them, leaving food and water outside shops and homes, creating a symbiotic relationship between the cats and Bangkok’s communities.

• Part of the Culture: Many of these cats have become a fixture in neighborhoods, roaming freely while receiving occasional care from residents and shopkeepers. The tolerance for Soi Cats reflects the Buddhist culture prevalent in Thailand, which emphasizes compassion for all living creatures.

The Struggles of Soi Cats

Life for Soi Cats can be harsh. They face numerous challenges, from finding consistent food sources to dealing with health issues such as infections or injuries. Many of them remain unneutered, leading to a continuous increase in the stray population. However, several animal welfare organizations are working diligently to reduce their struggles. Efforts such as trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs help manage the cat population, while local veterinarians and volunteers provide medical care.

• Animal Welfare Efforts: Visitors can support these initiatives by connecting with local NGOs dedicated to improving the lives of Soi Cats. Some organizations allow travelers to volunteer, whether it’s helping with feeding programs or participating in spaying and neutering campaigns.

A Unique Experience for Visitors

Spotting these stray cats offers a unique cultural insight for visitors. Unlike in many other cities, Soi Cats are often accepted as part of the landscape, weaving through Bangkok’s chaotic streets and quiet corners. For cat lovers, interacting with these felines adds an intimate and unexpected element to their travel experience. Whether you’re exploring a busy market or a peaceful temple courtyard, chances are you’ll encounter a few curious cats.

• Immersive Moments: Encountering these cats during your exploration of Bangkok provides a glimpse into local life, adding a personal touch to your journey. For many visitors, these spontaneous interactions make their trip feel more authentic and connected to the community.

Support and Responsible Tourism

If you’re looking to contribute to the welfare of Soi Cats, there are numerous ways to do so. Many animal charities in Bangkok focus on improving the living conditions of these cats, from providing medical care to ensuring they are spayed or neutered. Visitors can donate to these causes or even volunteer for a few hours. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of how you interact with the cats—approach them gently and avoid feeding them unsuitable food.

• How to Help: Supporting animal welfare groups such as PAWS Bangkok or Soi Dog Foundation can have a meaningful impact. These organizations work tirelessly to reduce suffering and improve the quality of life for stray animals in Thailand.

Why the Soi Cats Are Special

What makes the Soi Cats of Bangkok so unique is their resilience and adaptability. These felines have found ways to thrive in a sprawling urban jungle. They serve as a living symbol of Bangkok’s harmonious blend of chaos and calm, human compassion, and resilience. Whether you’re drawn to them for their mysterious allure or their streetwise charm, these cats offer a glimpse into a side of Bangkok that many overlook.

• Cultural Reflection: The way locals coexist with these cats is a reflection of the city’s spirit—one of tolerance, survival, and small acts of kindness that often go unnoticed.

Planning A Cat-Themed Bangkok Stay

If you’re the kind of traveller who can’t walk past a whiskered face without stopping, Bangkok is ridiculously fun.

You don’t have to turn your entire trip into a rescue mission or a marathon of cat cafés. Just tweak how you move through the city:

• Swap one big mall day for a market + temple + back-alley wander.
• Choose guesthouses on lived-in sois instead of main roads.
• Build in slow pockets of time where you’re just hanging out and watching the street.

The cats will come to you.

Bangkok is intense, but the cats are little islands of calm. They nap through traffic, stretch on plastic stools, and somehow always find the only patch of sun on a concrete sidewalk. If you give yourself permission to slow down, you’ll start seeing them everywhere.

Best Areas To Base Yourself For Meeting Soi Cats

You’ll find cats all over the city, but some neighbourhoods are especially good if you want to bump into them on a daily basis just by stepping outside.

Neighbourhood Snapshot For Cat Lovers

If it’s your first time in Bangkok and you love street photography, Banglamphu or Chinatown are easy wins. For a return trip when you want to hang with locals and see fewer tourists, Thonburi or a quiet old-town lane are magic.

When Bangkok’s Cats Come Out

You can technically spot cats at any time, but certain windows of the day are golden.

Morning: Markets, Temples And Delivery Rounds

Early mornings are for the workers… and the opportunists.

• Fresh markets: Wet markets are basically cat buffets. Fish stalls, butcher tables, noodle carts – there’s always at least one feline supervisor lurking nearby, half-hoping something falls.
• Side-street breakfast spots: You’ll see café cats weaving between plastic stools while locals tuck into rice porridge, grilled pork or fried dough.
• Temple grounds: In quieter wats, cats stretch out on cool tiles or curl up in the shade of chedis and Buddha statues.

If you’re up at sunrise, walk from your guesthouse to the nearest market without any agenda. Let your nose, your stomach, and your curiosity lead the way and keep your camera ready.

Afternoon: Shade Seekers

When the heat slams down, humans hide – and so do the cats.

• You’ll find them under tables, behind stacks of crates, on the cool concrete under parked tuk-tuks.
• Many shop cats claim the air-con draft near an open doorway as their personal throne.
• Guesthouse and café cats often appear mid-afternoon for a lazy grooming session on a sofa or window ledge.

This is a good time to sit in one spot with a drink and just quietly observe. If you stay still long enough, you become part of the furniture and the cats stop paying attention to you.

Evening And Night: Street Food Patrol

When grills fire up and the city cools slightly, the night shift starts.

• Street food zones: Cats materialize under skewers, chicken stalls and fish grills, hoping for dropped scraps.
• Convenience stores: 7-Elevens attract regulars who guard the door mats like tiny bouncers.
• Back alleys: Soft meows, clinking dishes, and the glow of a single fluorescent bulb – perfect atmosphere for moody portraits.

If you enjoy night photography, this is when Bangkok’s mix of neon, motorbikes and cats really comes alive.

A Cat-Lover’s Walking Day In Bangkok

You can absolutely design a whole day around casual cat encounters and good food.

Morning: Market + Temple Loop

• Start near your guesthouse and walk to the closest local market, avoiding the most touristy ones. Wander past fish, meat and veggie stalls and look under the tables, not just on top of them.
• Grab a simple breakfast – rice soup, grilled pork skewers, iced coffee – and people-watch. There’s usually at least one cat under your table or behind the cart.
• Head to a nearby temple that’s not on every tour bus route. Sit quietly on the edge of a courtyard or near a side building. The longer you sit, the more you notice – cats, birds, old aunties arranging flowers, students cutting through the grounds.

Midday: Escape The Heat, Hang With A Café Cat

• As the sun gets fierce, retreat to a small local café or noodle shop with a resident cat. You’ll often see them lounging in the front window or on a chair.
• Order something cold, slow down, and let the photos come to you: paws hanging off chairs, whiskers twitching in sleep, a lazy yawn.
• After lunch, take a short break back at your guesthouse. Download and back up your photos while your clothes and brain dry out.

Late Afternoon: Back-Alley Wanders

• When the heat eases, pick a small area – a cluster of sois behind a main road, narrow lanes around a temple, or a stretch of riverside – and just start walking.
• Look for:
  • Low plastic stools outside noodle shops
  • Styrofoam boxes used as cat beds
  • Bowls of water next to doorways
  • Bikes with curled-up cats in the basket or on the seat

This is where you stumble on the best unscripted scenes: kids playing with kittens, an old man sharing his fried fish, a cat riding shotgun on a motorbike.

Night: Street Food, Neon And Cats On Patrol

• Choose a busy local food street, not just the big backpacker strips. Order a plate, find a spot, and watch the feline choreography under the tables.
• After dinner, follow your nose down a quieter side soi. You’ll see cats picking through bags, stretching on parked scooters, or simply staring at you with that “human, what do you want?” expression.

You’ll go to bed smelling like smoke and fish sauce, with a memory card full of eyes that glowed back at you in the dark.

Rough Daily Budget For A Cat-Focused Bangkok Day

You don’t need a huge budget to enjoy this style of travel. Most of the “activities” are just walking, watching, and eating.

Use this to get a sense of how many days you can afford to just wander and shoot. Even on a tight budget, one relaxed “cat day” in between big sightseeing days is very doable.

Photographing Soi Cats Without Stressing Them

Gear That Works Well In Bangkok

You don’t need a giant lens or a backpack full of gear.

• Phone: Perfect for close moments with cats that already trust you or live in cafés and guesthouses. Feels less intimidating for people around you too.
• Small mirrorless or compact camera: Ideal if you like shooting in low light or want a bit of zoom. A 35mm or 50mm equivalent is more than enough.
• Lightweight strap + spare battery + small cloth: Bangkok is sweaty and dusty. Keeping your kit minimal means you actually use it.

The best camera is the one you’re still happy to carry on hour four in 35°C heat.

Approach: Move Like A Cat, Not A Tourist

Think about how a cat approaches something interesting: slowly, quietly, with plenty of pauses.

• Walk slower than feels natural. If you rush, you’ll scare both cats and people.
• Avoid marching straight at a cat. Instead, walk past at an angle, pause, crouch, and see if they stay relaxed.
• Let them notice you first. If they keep blinking slowly or go back to grooming, they’re usually fine with your presence.

If a cat’s ears flatten, tail flicks hard, or it backs away, that’s your cue to lower the camera and give it space.

Settings For Bangkok Alleys And Night Streets

You’ll often be shooting in tricky light – harsh sun in the street, deep shade under tables, neon at night.

Simple starting point if you’re using a camera:

• Mode: Aperture priority
• Aperture: f/2.8–f/4 for one cat, f/4–f/5.6 if there are multiple faces
• Shutter minimum: Around 1/250s to freeze motion
• ISO: Auto, with a max you’re comfortable with (don’t be afraid of a bit of grain)
• Focus: Single point, aim for the eye

On a phone, tap the cat’s face, drag exposure down a touch if the scene looks washed out, and shoot bursts when the cat moves.

Composition: Tell A Story, Not Just “Here’s A Cat”

The most interesting images are usually about cats in context.

• Include signs, scooters, plastic stools, noodle carts, temple columns. That’s what anchors the photo in Bangkok.
• Go low to the ground. Shooting at eye level with the cat instantly makes the image more intimate.
• Watch for interactions:
  • Cat + vendor
  • Cat + kid
  • Cat + monk
  • Cat + your own feet, if one decides to rub against your leg

If you’re patient, the city will hand you little scenes you couldn’t have scripted.

Being Kind And Staying Safe Around Stray Cats

For You

Street cats are cute, but they’re still animals living rough.

• Avoid picking them up, even if they seem friendly. Let them decide how close is close enough.
• Try not to encourage rough play with your hands or feet – a playful swipe can still leave a mark.
• Wash your hands before you eat if you’ve been petting cats or handling bowls or food near them.
• If you do get scratched or bitten, clean the area well and get local medical advice rather than just shrugging it off.

A few simple precautions mean you can enjoy the company of cats without worrying.

For The Cats

Small choices from visitors can actually make life a little better for them.

• Water matters. In hot season, a shallow dish of clean water outside a shop or guesthouse is often more helpful than random food.
• If you want to feed cats, it’s usually better to buy plain cat food from a supermarket or pet shop rather than spicy leftovers.
• Don’t chase, corner, or force interaction for the sake of a photo. A missed shot is better than a stressed animal.
• Where possible, support local efforts that focus on spaying/neutering and medical care, rather than short-term feeding frenzies.

You won’t “fix” the situation in a week-long trip, but you can choose to leave it a tiny bit better than you found it.

How To Help The Bangkok Stray Cats

Volunteer with Local Animal Shelters

Bangkok is home to several animal shelters and NGOs dedicated to caring for the city’s stray cats. Organizations like PAWS Bangkok, Soi Dog Foundation, and Bangkok Cat Rescue welcome volunteers to assist with feeding, cleaning, or simply spending time with the animals. Volunteering is a meaningful way to give back during your travels, and it can be as simple as donating a few hours of your time.

• Get Involved: Whether it’s helping with daily tasks or participating in adoption events, your contribution can make a big difference.

Support Spaying and Neutering Programs

One of the most effective ways to help control the stray cat population is by supporting spaying and neutering programs. Many organizations offer affordable or free services, which help prevent overpopulation and reduce the number of cats living on the streets. By donating to these initiatives or sponsoring a spay/neuter procedure, you’re directly helping improve the quality of life for these animals.

• Why It Matters: Controlling the population through humane methods ensures fewer cats face the challenges of street life, improving the overall health of the stray community.

Donations and Fundraising

If you can’t volunteer your time, consider making a monetary donation to one of the local animal welfare organizations. These donations go directly toward feeding, medical care, and sheltering the stray cats of Bangkok. Many groups also have ongoing fundraising initiatives, and some offer opportunities for visitors to sponsor specific cats or support larger community projects.

• Every Contribution Helps: Even small donations can have a significant impact, whether it’s purchasing food or covering medical expenses for a sick or injured cat.

Adopt or Foster a Soi Cat

For visitors with long-term travel plans or those living in Bangkok, adopting or fostering a stray cat is a rewarding way to help. Several shelters and rescue groups offer adoption programs, both locally and internationally. Fostering provides temporary care for a cat until a permanent home can be found, which greatly alleviates the burden on overcrowded shelters.

• A Lifelong Connection: Taking a cat home or fostering one during your stay in Bangkok allows you to form a deep bond while giving the cat a chance at a better life.

Spread Awareness

Sometimes, the simplest way to help is by spreading the word. Share your experiences with others—whether it’s on social media, through travel blogs, or by word of mouth. Raising awareness about the plight of stray cats and the efforts being made to help them can inspire others to contribute, volunteer, or even adopt.

• Make It Viral: Sharing stories, photos, and experiences can increase awareness and bring more attention to the work being done by local organizations.