Security fears over Cambodia crisis
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has announced an extension of its strict drone flight restrictions until September 30, 2025, citing the tense security situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Under Notification No. 6, entire border provinces are now no-fly zones for drones: Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani. Strategic districts such as Sattahip (Chon Buri), Mueang (Rayong), Phayuha Khiri (Nakhon Sawan), and Mueang (Ratchaburi) are also off-limits. Violators face heavy fines, jail time, or seizure of equipment—no exceptions, even for tourists or hobbyists.
A bureaucratic nightmare for flyers
Even outside banned zones, flying a drone has become a bureaucratic ordeal. Every pilot must register both their drone and license with CAAT, file flight plans at least three days in advance via the UAS Portal (uasportal.caat.or.th), and notify the Metropolitan Police’s Anti-Drone Center ([email protected]).
Flights are restricted to 6am–6pm, with a 90-metre altitude ceiling. Midnight to 4am flights are strictly banned. Pilots must keep at least nine kilometres from all airports and airstrips, including Lop Buri’s Khok Kathiam and Prachuap Khiri Khan. Special permits are required for flights beyond these limits, and even state agencies such as police, military, and customs must file requests in restricted areas.
Double registration chaos
For tourists, the rules are even tougher. Every drone must be registered with two separate authorities. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) handles ownership and frequency via anyregis.nbtc.go.th, while CAAT registers drones, pilots, and certification. One registration alone is not enough—both are mandatory.
Drones with cameras, devices over 2kg up to 25kg, and all heavier machines require CAAT registration. Any drone over 25kg needs written approval from the Transport Minister. Before a single flight, pilots must pass CAAT’s online knowledge test, buy liability insurance worth at least 1 million baht (€26,000), and register a Thai SIM card to access the UAS Portal. All drones must display registration numbers visibly: 3mm lettering for drones under 25kg, 25mm for heavier models.
Public urged to spy on pilots
Authorities are building a surveillance network and actively encouraging citizens to report illegal drone activity. Locals are urged to note date, time, location, drone details, and send evidence to CAAT ([email protected], Tel: 02-568-8851), the Anti-Drone Police ([email protected], Tel: 02-126-7846), or local police and military units.
CAAT has also warned that its old registration site (uav.caat.or.th) will shut down permanently on June 30, 2025. Pilots must download old certificates before that date, as all future operations will run exclusively through the new UAS Portal.
The government insists these steps balance national security and public safety with the needs of commercial drone operators and even farmers—but critics say the measures are killing Thailand’s drone community.