Drones in Thailand are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) under the Civil Aviation Act of B.E. 2558 (2015). In addition, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has jurisdiction over the use of drones for non-aviation purposes, such as photography, videography, and other commercial activities.
If you want to operate a drone in Thailand, you must follow the rules and guidelines set by both the CAAT and the NBTC. Here is an overview of the process for registering and operating a drone in Thailand:
Do I need register with NBTC?
Determine if you need to register your drone with the NBTC: If your drone is equipped with a camera or video recording capability, or if you plan to use it for commercial purposes, you must register it with the NBTC.
Do I need to register with CAAT?
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), all drones must be registered with the CAAT and operated in accordance with their guidelines. Therefore, if you want to operate a drone in Thailand, you must register it with the CAAT.
NBTC -> CAAT
Don't forget that you need to register in NBTC first, and after you get approval from NBTC, then you can start registration with CAAT.
Register your drone with the NBTC
To register your drone with the NBTC, you must fill out the application form, submit the required documents, and pay the registration fee. The required documents include a copy of your ID card or passport, a copy of your company registration (if applicable), a copy of your drone insurance policy, a copy of the drone manual, a copy of the drone maintenance records, and a copy of the drone registration certificate (if applicable).
Register your drone with the CAAT
Once you have obtained approval from the NBTC, you can proceed to register your drone with the CAAT. The CAAT registration process is similar to the NBTC process, and involves filling out the application form, submitting the required documents, and paying the registration fee. The required documents include
- a copy of your ID card or passport,
- a copy of your company registration (if applicable),
- a copy of your drone insurance policy, a copy of the drone manual,
- a copy of the drone maintenance records,
- a copy of the drone airworthiness certificate (if applicable),
- a copy of the drone operator's license (if applicable),
- a copy of the drone operator's insurance policy (if applicable).
General rules for drones in Thailand
Familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines for drone operation in Thailand: In addition to the registration requirements, there are also specific rules and guidelines for operating drones in Thailand. These include:
- Drones must not be flown higher than 120 meters (400 feet) above the ground.
- Drones must not be flown within 9 kilometers (5 nautical miles) of any airport or military base.
- Drones must not be flown within 50 meters (164 feet) of any person or property without the owner's permission.
- Drones must not be flown over crowds of people or public events.
- Drones must not be flown over national parks or wildlife sanctuaries.
- Commercial drones must not be flown over densely populated areas or within 9 kilometers (5 nautical miles) of an airport without permission. They must also have a minimum liability insurance coverage of 10 million Thai Baht (approx. $320,000).
It is important to note that both the NBTC and the CAAT have the authority to revoke or suspend a drone registration if the operator violates any of the rules or regulations. Therefore, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the guidelines and ensure that your drone operation is conducted safely and responsibly.
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