Thai - Cambodia Conflict Army Ordered to Shoot Down Unauthorised Drones

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Amarin.

 

The Royal Thai Army has been authorised to shoot down unidentified and unauthorised drones immediately, as part of escalated national defence measures following increased surveillance activity near sensitive military sites.

 

Colonel Ritcha Sukawanon, Deputy Army Spokesperson, confirmed the directive came from Army Commander-in-Chief General Phana Klaewplodthuk, who also heads the Army Operations Centre and serves as Deputy Director of Internal Security Operations.

 

The move follows a directive issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on 29 July 2025, which bans all drone operations across the Kingdom, regardless of purpose or location, due to heightened security concerns along the Thai–Cambodian border.

 

All four regional army commands (Regions 1–4) and their respective Internal Security Operations Centres have been instructed to coordinate closely with provincial and local authorities, police and the private sector to ensure robust anti-drone defences.

 

The army has been empowered to deploy Anti-Drone Systems and destroy drones from the ground as necessary. Local security units will form rapid response teams comprising military police, provincial officers and civil security forces to track, intercept and apprehend those operating unauthorised drones.

 

The army outlined specific engagement protocols based on geographical area and the level of threat:

 

•Region 1 & 2:

 

• Frontline Areas: Both soft kill (e.g., signal jamming) and hard kill (physical destruction) measures are permitted.

• Rear Areas: Soft kill must be attempted first; hard kill can only be used if necessary and must not endanger civilians.

 

Region 3 & 4:

 

• Priority is given to soft kill tactics. Hard kill measures may be used only when deemed essential.

• Responsibility for any weapon deployment lies primarily with the police. Military personnel may only engage within their assigned zones using precision weapons that pose no threat to the general public.

 

General Mayor Threats Nationwide:

 

If a drone is deemed a direct threat to life, sovereignty or national interests, military personnel are authorised to use personal or unit-issued weapons to neutralise the threat immediately.

 

The public has been urged to report any suspicious drone activity or violations of the CAAT’s ban. Tip-offs can be submitted via the national security hotline 1374, which operates 24 hours a day.

 

This intensified readiness follows rising concerns over foreign surveillance and cross-border hostilities, particularly involving the use of long-range weapons by Cambodian forces, actions the Thai army has condemned as violations of international law.

 

The Royal Thai Army insists these measures are vital to safeguard national sovereignty and protect military installations amid regional tensions.

 

Related Article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1368317-civil-aviation-authority-bans-all-drone-flights-nationwide-until-15-august/

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-08-02