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Flying Drones in Thailand:
What Every Tourist Must Know

This page provides an official overview of the drone laws and regulatory requirements enforced in Thailand.

It explains what is legally required, restricted, and enforced for drone ownership and operation, regardless of nationality or purpose.

male-traveler-holding-caat-drone-pilot-license

Legal Authorities Regulating Drones in Thailand

Every drone with a camera—regardless of weight—must comply with three authorities:

Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)

 

CAAT is responsible for aviation safety and the regulation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

Its authority covers:

 

  • Pilot and drone registration

  • Operational safety rules

  • Flight authorization requirements

  • Enforcement of aviation regulations

 

 

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)

 

NBTC regulates radio-frequency and telecommunications equipment used in Thailand.

Its authority covers:

 

  • Registration of drone remote controllers

  • Approval of radio transmission equipment

  • Enforcement of telecommunications law

Mandatory Legal Requirements

Under Thai law, any drone equipped with a camera must comply with the following requirements.

Registration & Licensing

 

  • Drone registration under CAAT

  • Pilot or operator registration (where applicable)

  • NBTC registration for radio-controlled equipment

 

 

Insurance

 

  • Third-party liability insurance is mandatory

  • Insurance must be valid before CAAT registration approval

 

 

Flight Authorization

 

  • Individual flight authorization is required for each operation

  • Authorization is regulated under CAAT rules

Validity Periods

  • CAAT registrations are issued with defined validity periods

  • Insurance must remain valid for the entire operation period

  • NBTC registrations are subject to regulatory validity rules

 

Operating with expired or invalid documentation is considered non-compliant.

Penalties & Enforcement

Failure to comply with drone laws in Thailand may result in:

  • Administrative fines

  • Equipment confiscation

  • Criminal penalties under aviation or telecommunications law

 

  • Enforcement is carried out by aviation, telecommunications, and law-enforcement authorities.

Legal Definitions

Key legal terms used throughout Thailand’s drone regulations include:

 

  • Unmanned Aircraft (UAV / UAS)

  • Operator / Pilot

  • Remote Controller

  • Restricted and No-Fly Zones

 

These definitions are applied strictly under Thai law and determine compliance obligations.

Scope of This Page

This page explains legal requirements only.

It does not describe operational steps, application procedures, or travel timelines.

 

For practical guidance, please continue to:

 

  • Before You Fly – preparation and requirements

  • During Your Trip – flight permissions and operations

  • After Your Trip – validity and exit considerations

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This information is provided for regulatory guidance only. Final approval and enforcement remain with the relevant Thai authorities.

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