NBTC policy for foreigner drone registration - what a scam

[macnmotion]

I just went through the process of registering a drone I was gifted with CAAT and NBTC. The NBTC process took about 10 days total for approval, but when I received my certificate it says it expires on Jan 1 (in about 6 weeks). I asked about this and they said that it's because my current Visa expires then (OK, I can live with that and renew in 6 weeks). But then they explained that even though my Non-B visa will be for 1 year, they will only issue 3 month registrations for foreigners. My wife's cousin (Thai) just registered the same drone with NBTC. He paid the same registration fee as me (214 baht) but his is perpetual. I'll have to pay 856 baht per year (ok not such a big deal) and will have to go through this paperwork process 4x per year. What a joke.

 

Does anyone have any information about this that might make things easier? I'm wondering if I can register myself with CAAT as the pilot, but register the drone with NBTC under my wife's name to get that perpetual Thai certificate? Or do both registrations have to be in my name? The 1M THB insurance coverage is in my name.

[treetops]

Just been getting info from a mate who has recently done this.  His NBTC registration (214 THB) expires on 17th November 2025, the day after his permit to stay expires.

 

CAAT expires 2 years from the date of issue.

[macnmotion]

On 11/22/2024 at 10:32 AM, treetops said:

Just been getting info from a mate who has recently done this.  His NBTC registration (214 THB) expires on 17th November 2025, the day after his permit to stay expires.

 

CAAT expires 2 years from the date of issue.

OK thanks, so your friend was given a full year from NBTC to match the duration of his visa -- I'll make sure we tell them that when I renew next month so that they give me a full year, not 3 months.

[MangoKorat]

Interesting.  I'm planning on using a drone to do some filming up in the North of Thailand next year and that may be ongoing. As usual the internet is full of different information. I haven't gone too far into it yet but from what I've gleaned so far, the OP seems to be correct that he will have to register 4 times per year as registration only lasts for 90 days.

 

I haven't seen anything that states registration is perpetual for Thai nationals but I'm wondering if there is some confusion between tourists and more permanent residents?  As treetops states, his mate's registration seems to be annual - I'm presuming the mate is a foriegner? @treetops

 

The only thing I've found so far that seems to be mandatory is that all drones fitted with cameras must be registered, regardless of their weight and that all drones must be insured.

 

Much the same as the OP, I would appreciate any information on this. Decent quality drones are not cheap and I don't want to give the BIB any excuse to 'confiscate' mine.

[treetops]

21 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

As treetops states, his mate's registration seems to be annual - I'm presuming the mate is a foriegner? @treetops

 

Yes, USA passport and annual extension based on Non Imm O.