Drones in Thailand: New rules offer freedom and safety!

Drones in Thailand: New rules offer freedom and safety!

In Thailand, the Civil Aviation Authority CAAT updated the regulations for flying drones on November 6, 2025. These changes will take effect until November 15, 2025 or indefinitely and will make drone flying easier in most regions of the country. The new regulations are the result of a reassessment of the security situation, particularly on the Thai-Cambodian border, where tensions have eased in recent months, and set a positive tone for amateur and professional pilots.

The new guidelines allow drone flights to be carried out in many parts of Thailand, but there are some exceptions. These flights remain banned in five provinces along the border – Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. Specific districts such as Khlong Hat or Phanom Dong Rak are exempt from the new regulations. In addition, the airspace within nine kilometers of all major airports remains closed, forcing pilots to be particularly vigilant.

Drone registration and permits

The regulations also require drones to be equipped with liability insurance of at least one million baht. Special permission is required for flights over urban areas or near sensitive facilities such as hospitals and government buildings. If you want to be on the safe side, you should familiarize yourself with the applicable regulations beforehand and pass the CAAT online knowledge test.

Increasing number of registrations

Demand for drone registrations has risen sharply in recent months. Since the introduction of the new regulations, 7,785 new drones have already been registered in August 2025 - a doubling compared to the previous eleven months. Particularly notable is the increase in agricultural drones over 25 kilograms, which increased to a staggering 8,349, a hundred-fold increase. This shows that drones are becoming increasingly popular not only among hobbyists, but also in agriculture.

With this innovation and the resulting flexibility of drone operations, CAAT wants to ensure that both safety and legal requirements are adhered to. It is therefore important for all drone pilots to familiarize themselves with the current legal requirements. It would be a shame if an exciting flight resulted in a penalty. If you are unsure, you should consult the information on the official websites of the CAAT and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) - these can be crucial in ensuring you enjoy a worry-free flight.

Further information and details about the new guidelines can be found at TAT News, Thailand PRD and Drone Camp.