Flying Drones in Thailand’s National Parks
Drone flights inside national parks are regulated to protect wildlife habitats, rainforest ecosystems, and visitor safety. Each park is managed independently under the Department of National Parks (DNP).
Why Drone Flights Are Restricted in National Parks
National parks enforce drone restrictions to protect sensitive wildlife habitats and ensure safe conditions for visitors and conservation teams. Each park applies its own operational rules depending on ecological sensitivity and seasonal conservation needs.
Key Reasons:
• Protection of wildlife, nesting areas, and breeding habitats
• Minimizing disturbance to rainforest ecosystems and conservation zones
• Avoiding noise impact on visitors, rangers, and local communities
• Ensuring safety around waterfalls, high cliffs, and crowded natural sites
Important Operational Restrictions
Even when a park accepts permit applications, flights remain subject to strict operational limitations. Operators must comply with park-specific instructions provided by DNP staff.
Details:
• No flights over wildlife zones, nesting grounds, or conservation research areas
• No flights near ranger housing, service areas, or national park buildings
• No flights above waterfalls, cliffs, or high-risk terrain
• No flights during crowded hours that may affect visitor safety
• Rangers may suspend flights at any time due to wildlife activity or weather
Penalties
Flying inside a national park without written permission is a criminal offense under the National Park Act and related Thai regulations. Rangers actively monitor drone activity.
Penalties Include:
• Fine up to 100,000 THB
• Confiscation of drone and equipment
• Possible criminal charges for disturbance of wildlife
• Blacklisting from future access to protected areas
National Park Drone Permit
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I fly without a permit if I am just taking casual photos?
No. All drone operations inside national parks require prior written approval from the park’s DNP office.
Q2: Are tourist beaches inside national parks considered restricted?
Yes. Areas such as Phi Phi, Similan, Surin, Khao Sok, Mu Ko Lanta, and Mu Ko Ang Thong are fully regulated zones.
Q3: Does CAAT approval replace the park permit?
No. CAAT approval is separate. National parks require their own permit in addition to CAAT rules.
Q4: Can I fly for commercial filming?
Most parks only approve private-use flights. Commercial filming normally requires ministry-level approval and additional fees. Unauthorized commercial use—including stock footage sales—is illegal.
Q5: How long is the approval time?
Depending on the park, 3–15 working days. Busy parks may take longer.
How to Apply for a National Park Drone Permit
Important Notice
National Park Flight Permission Responsibility
Drone flight operations inside Thailand’s National Parks require separate and additional permission from the relevant National Park authority.
TDS services do not cover, support, or process National Park flight permissions.
All National Park flight approvals are individual cases and must be applied for directly by the drone pilot or operator.
To apply for permission at any National Park, the following documents are mandatory in all cases:
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Valid CAAT pilot license
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UAV (drone) registration certificate
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NBTC controller registration
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Active drone insurance
Incomplete applications are automatically rejected without review by the authorities.
National Park approvals are separate from CAAT flight permissions and must be obtained in addition to CAAT and NBTC compliance.
All drone operations inside Thailand’s national parks require prior approval from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
Each park has its own process, required documents, and review timeline. Follow the steps below to prepare a compliant application.
Step 1: Prepare Your Required Documents
• Passport or Thai ID
• CAAT Pilot License and Drone Registration (if applicable)
• Valid drone insurance (Thai-approved minimum liability 1 million THB)
• Drone model, serial number, and operating purpose
• Flight plan and exact park location details
• For filming, research, or media crews: additional documentation may be required
Step 2: Submit to the National Park Office
• Applications must be submitted directly to the specific park’s DNP office
• Requirements and review criteria vary by park
• Sensitive locations may be escalated to DNP headquarters for final approval
Step 3: Await Approval
• Processing typically takes 5–15 business days, depending on park workload and project type
• Large-scale filming, research, or multi-location requests may take longer
• Approval, if granted, includes park-specific conditions and operating limits
Important Note :
Approval is generally issued for private recreational use only.
Any commercial use—including selling images, stock footage, brand promotion, or monetized content—is prohibited unless separately approved under a commercial filming permit.
Please contact each national park directly to verify the most current permit requirements and processing timelines.
National Park Drone Permit Sample Sites
Use these examples as a reference when preparing your application.
Download: Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park (Sample PDF)
Phi Phi Islands The Phi Phi Islands, part of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, are world-famous for their twin bays: Tonsai Bay and Loh Dalum Bay. These iconic views are popular for drone photography, but the entire area is a No-Fly Zone (NFZ) under Thai law.
Download: Ao Phang Nga National Park (Sample PDF)
Ao Phang Nga National Park Ao Phang Nga National Park, established in 1981, protects the dramatic limestone cliffs, caves, and emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay. The park spans over forty islands, each with unique landscapes and cultural heritage. Highlights include the towering cliffs of Khao Phing Kan and Ko Ta Pu (popularly known as James Bond Island), the lagoons and caves of Ko Hong, the twin islets of Ko Nom Sao, and the fishing community of the Koh Panyee floating village. These, together with many other islands and karst formations, make the park one of Thailand’s most iconic seascapes. As with other national parks in Thailand, any drone operation within the area requires prior approval from the Department of National Parks and relevant aviation authorities.
Download: Mu Ko Similan National Park (Sample PDF)
Mu Ko Similan National Park Mu Ko Similan National Park, established in 1982, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and diverse marine life. The park consists of eleven islands in the Andaman Sea, celebrated worldwide as one of the best destinations for scuba divers and snorkelers. Granite boulders, coral reefs, and abundant tropical fish make the Similans a premier site for underwater exploration and nature tourism. As with other national parks in Thailand, drone flights require prior approval from the Department of National Parks and aviation authorities.
Download: Khao Sok National Park Permit (Sample PDF)
Khao Sok National Park Established in 1980, Khao Sok is one of Thailand’s most famous national parks, known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, dense rainforest, and Cheow Lan Lake with its floating raft houses. The park is home to elephants, hornbills, gibbons, and the rare Rafflesia flower. It offers eco-tourism, trekking, canoeing, and wildlife exploration in one of the world’s oldest evergreen rainforests.
Official Authority for National Park Drone Permissions
Drone operations inside Thailand’s National Parks require separate and additional permission from the relevant National Park authority.
National Park approvals are independent of CAAT flight permissions and NBTC registration. Approval criteria, documentation requirements, and enforcement decisions are determined solely by the National Park authority and may vary by location.
TDS does not process, submit, or influence National Park flight permissions. The information below is provided for official reference only.
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP)
Responsible for:
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Drone permissions within National Parks
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Marine National Parks
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Protected conservation areas under DNP control
Official Department of National Parks (DNP) Website
(Thailand government authority)
All National Park drone applications must be submitted directly by the drone pilot or operator. Incomplete documentation or missing approvals will result in automatic rejection.
Related No-Fly Zones & Restrictions
Depending on your flight location, additional restrictions may apply. Review related categories below: