Authoritative Summary
for Tourists & Foreign Operators
Last updated: December 2025
This page provides an official, up-to-date overview of Thailand’s drone regulations applicable to tourists, foreign operators, enterprises, and visiting professionals.
It reflects current requirements enforced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), including:
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drone and operator registration
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mandatory insurance
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flight permissions
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restricted and no-fly zones
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penalties and enforcement
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departure and export considerations
This compliance reference is maintained as part of the TDS regulatory framework for lawful drone operations in Thailand.
For the complete regulatory structure and related guidance, please refer to our Regulations section.
Overview: What You Must Know
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Drone registration and third-party liability insurance are mandatory in Thailand
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Tourists and residents are subject to the same regulations
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A Thai SIM card is required after arrival for registration (OTP verification)
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Flight permission must be checked before every flight
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NBTC registration becomes void when a foreigner exits Thailand
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CAAT registration is valid for 2 years; insurance must be maintained annually
Before Traveling to Thailand
(Pre-Trip Planning)
Do tourists need to register a drone in Thailand?
Yes. All drone operators, including tourists, must comply with CAAT and NBTC regulations. Nationality does not exempt an operator from registration, insurance, or operational rules.
Can tourists register a drone remotely before arrival?
No. Drone registration cannot be fully completed from abroad. Operators must:
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Enter Thailand and receive an official immigration entry stamp
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Obtain a Thai mobile phone number (Thai SIM card)
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Receive OTP verification from CAAT and NBTC systems
Registration cannot proceed without these steps.
Upon Arrival in Thailand
After Arrival: What should I do first before starting drone registration?
After arriving in Thailand, you must first create an operator account in the CAAT UAS Portal. Account creation requires a Thai mobile phone number (Thai SIM) to receive one-time password (OTP) verification.
As part of the initial CAAT account setup, operators are required to complete the CAAT knowledge assessment. The assessment consists of multiple questions, and a minimum passing score of 80% is required before registration can proceed.
Once the CAAT account and assessment are completed, you must obtain valid third-party liability insurance. An active insurance policy is required before submitting drone registration details.
Drone registration cannot be fully started or completed from abroad. The process can only be carried out after arrival in Thailand, using a valid immigration entry stamp and a Thai mobile number for system verification by both CAAT and NBTC.
How does CAAT manage drone registration
and flight operations?
CAAT operates two separate UAS systems, each with a distinct function:
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Used for drone registration, pilot licensing, operator details, and insurance submission
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CAAT UAS Mobile App (iOS) / CAAT UAS Mobile App (Android):
Used for flight permission requests and airspace checks before every flight
Registration alone does not grant permission to fly.
CAAT UAS Portal – official registration system
Account creation and verification require a Thai mobile number (Thai SIM) and are generally completed only after arrival in Thailand.
Important Note:
The CAAT UAS Portal may not function properly outside Thailand. Account creation and verification require a Thai mobile phone number (Thai SIM) to receive one-time password (OTP) verification messages from CAAT and NBTC systems. For this reason, drone registration and related processes are generally completed only after arrival in Thailand with a valid immigration entry stamp.
After Registration & Certification
(Paperless Compliance in Thailand)
Are physical documents required?
No. Thailand currently operates under an e-Government (paperless) compliance system.
Once approved, the following are issued electronically:
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Drone registration certificates
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Pilot licenses
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Insurance policies
Digital copies displayed on a mobile phone or tablet are generally accepted during routine inspections.
Printed documents may be required only in rare cases, such as:
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Manual office inspections
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Certain location-specific approval processes
During Your Stay in Thailand
(Before Each Flight)
Before each flight, operators must check the planned flight location using the CAAT UAS Portal mobile application. Registration and licensing do not grant automatic flight permission. The CAAT UAS Portal indicates whether a location is permitted under standard conditions or requires prior authorization. Where authorization is required, operators must request and obtain flight permission through the CAAT UAS Portal before flying. Flight permission is location- and operation-specific.
Can I fly anywhere after registering my drone?
No. Drone registration does not grant flight permission. Operators must check airspace status before every flight using the CAAT UAS mobile application.
Is Bangkok a no-fly area?
Bangkok is classified as a VTR 1 Restricted Zone. Flight permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is required for each flight, even if the drone is registered and insured.
Are major cities free to fly?
No. Most major city centers are controlled or restricted airspace and may require additional authorization from CAAT or relevant local authorities.
What is the maximum allowed flight altitude?
The maximum permitted flight altitude is 90 meters above ground level (AGL). Flights above this limit require prior approval from CAAT.
Can I fly at night?
No. Flights between sunset and sunrise are prohibited unless specific permission is granted by CAAT.
Do I have to keep the drone in sight?
Yes. All drone operations must be conducted under Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) conditions. Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations are not permitted without special authorization.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Thailand?
Yes. Valid third-party liability insurance is mandatory for drone operations in Thailand and must remain active for the entire operation period.
Legal Compliance & Penalties
What happens if I fly a drone without permission?
Unauthorized drone operations in Thailand may result in serious legal penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of equipment.
Flying a drone without required CAAT permission may result in a fine of up to 40,000 THB or imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both.
Flying a drone in violation of approved flight conditions (such as altitude limits, location restrictions, or time of operation) may result in a fine of up to 50,000 THB.
Authorities may confiscate the drone, remote controller, and related equipment involved in the violation.
Legal action may be taken under Thai aviation and telecommunications laws, enforced by CAAT, NBTC, and local authorities.
What happens if I use a drone remote controller without NBTC permission?
Operating a drone remote controller or radio transmission equipment without NBTC authorization is a criminal offense.
Violations may result in a fine of up to 100,000 THB or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both, under NBTC regulations.
Are penalties the same for tourists and residents?
Yes. Thai regulations apply equally to all operators regardless of nationality or residency status.
Before Departure from Thailand
What happens to NBTC registration when a foreigner leaves Thailand?
For foreign operators, NBTC registration becomes void once an immigration exit stamp is issued. It cannot be reused for future entries.
Do foreign operators need to re-register NBTC every time they return?
Yes. Foreign operators must complete NBTC registration again for each new entry into Thailand.
Does CAAT registration expire upon departure?
No. CAAT drone registration and pilot licenses remain valid for two years, provided the operator remains eligible.
Insurance, however, must be renewed annually to maintain compliance.
Official Reference & Compliance Support
This summary is provided for informational and compliance-support purposes. Operators remain responsible for verifying applicable requirements and permissions before each flight, as conditions and enforcement may vary by location and mission profile.
Official compliance services, insurance coordination, and regulatory assistance are provided by:
Thailand Drone Insurance & Registration Services (TDS)
https://www.thailanddroneinsurance.com