Before Your Journey to Thailand
(Drone Preparation & Arrival Requirements)
Bringing a drone to Thailand requires more than simple registration.
Certain legal steps must be prepared before arrival, while others are unlocked only after you enter Thailand.
This page covers preparation and arrival requirements only — no flight operations.
What This Page Covers
This page explains:
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What cannot be completed outside Thailand
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What must be prepared before arrival
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What becomes available only after immigration entry
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Why registration alone does not allow flying
Reality Check for Tourists
Registering a drone is NOT permission to fly.
Thailand requires:
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Operator approval
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Aircraft (drone) registration
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Valid insurance
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Per-flight authorization
All enforced by multiple authorities, not just one agency.
Who Regulates Drones in Thailand
Drone operations in Thailand are enforced by multiple agencies:
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CAAT — aviation safety, UAS Portal, flight approvals
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NBTC — radio controllers, RF legality (2.4 / 5.8 GHz)
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Local Police / RTAF / RTN — on-site enforcement, security zones, borders, coastal areas
Purpose: make it clear this is multi-agency enforcement, not optional.
What You Can Prepare Before Arrival
These can be prepared in advance, but not completed:
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Understanding legal requirements and restrictions
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Preparing drone specifications and documents
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Planning insurance coverage
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Understanding where flying will later be restricted (cities, parks, borders)
No Thai SIM. No OTP. No registration submission yet.
What Is Unlocked Only After Arrival
These steps cannot be completed abroad:
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Immigration entry stamp
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Thai mobile number (Thai SIM)
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OTP verification for CAAT and NBTC systems
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CAAT UAS Portal account creation
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CAAT knowledge assessment
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Insurance activation linked to Thai registration
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Drone and controller registration submission
Without these, nothing proceeds.
Why Many Tourists Get Stuck
Most tourists assume:
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“Registration = permission”
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“Small drone = no rules”
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“I’ll figure it out after arrival”
In reality:
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Registration is multi-step
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Systems are Thai-language heavy
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Errors cause rejection or delays
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Flying without full compliance leads to fines, confiscation, or worse
This is where professional assistance matters.
What Comes Next
Once preparation and arrival steps are complete, flying is still NOT allowed.
Next, you must understand:
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Where you can fly
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When you are allowed to fly
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How to request flight permission before each flight
Continue to:
During Your Stay in Thailand (Before Each Flight)
This information is provided for regulatory guidance only. Final approval and enforcement remain with the relevant Thai authorities.