Thai - Cambodia Conflict Civil Aviation Authority Bans All Drone Flights Nationwide Until 15 August

[Georgealbert]

 

File picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued an urgent nationwide ban on all drone flights, effective immediately until 15 August 2025, in response to tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border.

 

Under the directive, all civilian-operated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including those flown for recreational, commercial or academic purposes, are strictly prohibited throughout the kingdom. The only exemption applies to drones operated by state security agencies.

 

The sweeping order follows an earlier CAAT directive, issued on 29 July, which restricted drone activity in 14 high-risk areas near the border. However, authorities have since reported suspected unlawful drone use in additional regions, raising serious concerns over national security and public safety.

 

In a formal statement released at 15:50 on 30 July, CAAT cited the need to strengthen preventative measures to ensure comprehensive national coverage and deter unauthorised aerial surveillance or data collection that could compromise state security. The agency is acting under powers granted by the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497 (1954) and ministerial authorisations issued in March this year.

 

Violators of the ban face severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to one year, a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht, or both. Furthermore, military personnel and authorised state security operatives are legally empowered to neutralise or destroy drones that breach the order, using anti-drone systems where necessary.

 

The CAAT has also appealed to the public to assist in enforcement efforts by reporting any suspected drone activity. Reports should include the date, time, location, drone description, and, if available, photographs or video footage. These can be submitted via the following channels:

 

• CAAT Unmanned Aircraft Systems Division

Tel: 02-568-8851

Email: [email protected]

 

• Anti-Drone Centre, Royal Thai Police

Tel: 02-126-7846

Email: [email protected]

 

• Local authorities such as police stations, military outposts, or regional security units.

 

The ban remains in effect until 15 August 2025 or until further notice, depending on developments along the Thai–Cambodian frontier.

 

Authorities have urged strict compliance with the directive, citing national interest and the need to prevent potential disruption to civil aviation, public order and overall security.

 

Related article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1368275-thailand-declares-no-fly-zones-for-drones-in-military-regions/

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-07-31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ikke1959]

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

[HappyExpat57]

13 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

 

Drones are allowed in Thailand, but with strict regulations and registration requirements.

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued an urgent nationwide ban on all drone flights, effective immediately until 15 August 2025, in response to tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border.

 

Good idea. Imagine the damage that could be done flying a drone in Chiang Mai for example.

 

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

 

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

 

Drones are allowed in Thailand, but with strict regulations and registration requirements.

Drones can be bought at any RC shop and online.

AI:

Key Regulations:

Registration: Drones exceeding 2 kilograms or equipped with cameras must be registered with CAAT. 

Drone Insurance: Drone liability insurance is mandatory. 

Altitude: Maximum altitude is 90 meters (295 feet). 

Visual Line of Sight: Drones must be kept within the pilot's visual range at all times. 

Distance from People and Property: Maintain at least 30 meters (98 feet) distance from people, vehicles, and buildings. 

No-Fly Zones: Flights are prohibited near airports, government buildings, hospitals, and crowds. 

Time of Flight: Daylight hours only, unless special permission is obtained. 

Take-off and Landing: Permission from the property owner is required. 

Special Operations: Night flights, flights above 90 meters, and entry into restricted zones require prior approval according to the TAT Newsroom. 

Not being able to fly drones anywhere in Thailand is insane. 

[VR333]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

 

There are YouTube channels from foreigners living in Thailand for years, using drone footage in their videos. They even show themselves operating the drones e.g. in Thai national parks. Some epic videos, by the way. If they were doing it illegally, surely they would have been stopped long ago.

 

 

[JAG]

There are a couple of enterprising chaps in my neck of the woods who have a drone they use to spread fertiliser. That's them out of business then!

 

Using drones for such purposes is entirely harmless.

 

It is a bit like banning cars, because Cambodians have them!

 

Utterly pointless.

 

Mind you, I should imagine that the big farm operators will very quickly arrange exceptions. Given the complete lack of police presence in most rural areas it will probably be ignored.

[JoePai]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

Nonsense

[impulse]

1 hour ago, VR333 said:

 

There are YouTube channels from foreigners living in Thailand for years, using drone footage in their videos. They even show themselves operating the drones e.g. in Thai national parks. Some epic videos, by the way. If they were doing it illegally, surely they would have been stopped long ago.

 

If they're not registered with CAAT, they're illegal.  They just haven't been caught.  Any drone with a camera (regardless of size) has to be registered.  And I think they have outlawed drones in National Parks.

 

Just because YouTubers don't get caught, doesn't mean it's legal.

 

[quake]

Knee jerk nonsense. 

T.I.T.

[dinsdale]

24 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

If they're not registered with CAAT, they're illegal.  They just haven't been caught.  Any drone with a camera (regardless of size) has to be registered.  And I think they have outlawed drones in National Parks.

 

Just because YouTubers don't get caught, doesn't mean it's legal.

 

TIT. All people riding scooters and motorcycles by law should wear helmets. 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Agricultural Drone Operators Support Nationwide Ban Despite Heavy Income Losses

 

 

 

[motdaeng]

On 7/31/2025 at 5:31 AM, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

 

i found this website offering to handle the entire registration and everything for using a private drone ...

 

https://mydronethailand.com/

[Bday Prang]

the ban does not seem to bother the cambodians much so far

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Army Ordered to Shoot Down Unauthorised Drones

 

 

[BarraMarra]

How much does it cost to fly a drone in Thailand.

[BKKBike09]

On 7/31/2025 at 4:24 AM, Georgealbert said:

The CAAT has also appealed to the public to assist in enforcement efforts by reporting any suspected drone activity. Reports should include the date, time, location, drone description, and, if available, photographs or video footage. These can be submitted via the following channels:

 

• CAAT Unmanned Aircraft Systems Division

Tel: 02-568-8851

Email: [email protected]

 

• Anti-Drone Centre, Royal Thai Police

Tel: 02-126-7846

Email: [email protected]

 

 

The official RTP online reporting channel is a gmail address ... so very Thai! Surprised they don't have a Line account for it as well.

 

[folkstone]

On 7/31/2025 at 5:31 AM, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

sorry that is not correct, I purchased my drone in Big Camera  went through extensive paperwork and received a Thai license to fly the drone, even in Parks when license is shown, I was in Sukhothai and the ruins numerous sign saying no drones allowed, one trip to the main office and the photocopied my license and charged me 500 baht lol, and i was allowed to film the ruins in 4K you can watch it here   https://youtu.be/U53N_ZvbHJ0

[folkstone]

On 7/31/2025 at 7:02 AM, VR333 said:

 

There are YouTube channels from foreigners living in Thailand for years, using drone footage in their videos. They even show themselves operating the drones e.g. in Thai national parks. Some epic videos, by the way. If they were doing it illegally, surely they would have been stopped long ago.

 

 

I am one of them, fully licensed, actually was a licensed pilot, have flown in national parks including Sukhothai ruins with permission and yes my drone videos are in 4k and some are indeed epic here is one https://youtu.be/U53N_ZvbHJ0

[folkstone]

On 7/31/2025 at 7:22 AM, JAG said:

There are a couple of enterprising chaps in my neck of the woods who have a drone they use to spread fertiliser. That's them out of business then!

 

Using drones for such purposes is entirely harmless.

 

It is a bit like banning cars, because Cambodians have them!

 

Utterly pointless.

 

Mind you, I should imagine that the big farm operators will very quickly arrange exceptions. Given the complete lack of police presence in most rural areas it will probably be ignored.

lets hope this insane conflict is put to bed soon because the farmers have invested a lot of money in these drones and to revert to old methods will be costly, but I tend to agree about the police ignoring them, simply because they know what the farming drone is doing and they are Thais, me on the hand will keep my mini4 on the shelf and ignore those beady eyes looking at me saying let go flying

[folkstone]

On 7/31/2025 at 8:20 AM, impulse said:

 

If they're not registered with CAAT, they're illegal.  They just haven't been caught.  Any drone with a camera (regardless of size) has to be registered.  And I think they have outlawed drones in National Parks.

 

Just because YouTubers don't get caught, doesn't mean it's legal.

 

Many Youtubers bring there drones into Thailand and yes without being registered, that illegal, get caught loose your drone and large fine.  I purchased my drone in Big Camera  went through extensive paperwork and received a Thai license to fly the drone, even in Parks when license is shown, I was in Sukhothai at the ruins numerous signs saying no drones allowed, one trip to the main office and they photocopied my license and charged me 500 baht lol, and i was allowed to film the ruins in 4K you can watch it here   https://youtu.be/U53N_ZvbHJ0

[Tranquility]

On 7/31/2025 at 5:31 AM, ikke1959 said:

Drones are not allowed in Thailand as far as I know.. It was forbidden to have them. I only see them used for fertilization of ricefields

This is incorrect.  A drone licence (and the associated compulsory 1M Baht insurance policy) have been readily available in order to operate recreational drones. 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Drones Over Surin & Aranyaprathet Spark Security Concerns

 

 

 

 

[redwood1]

1 hour ago, folkstone said:

Many Youtubers bring there drones into Thailand and yes without being registered, that illegal, get caught loose your drone and large fine.  I purchased my drone in Big Camera  went through extensive paperwork and received a Thai license to fly the drone, even in Parks when license is shown, I was in Sukhothai at the ruins numerous signs saying no drones allowed, one trip to the main office and they photocopied my license and charged me 500 baht lol, and i was allowed to film the ruins in 4K you can watch it here   https://youtu.be/U53N_ZvbHJ0

 

If I owned a drone I absolutely 100% would never register it EVER...

[treetops]

Drone restrictions eased:

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-allows-drone-operations-from-august-16-to-31

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Thailand Lifts Drone Flight Ban with Strict Conditions