Crime Swedish Tourist Nabbed for Illegal Drone Use in Pattaya

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

Local authorities caught a Swedish tourist flying a drone without permission on Pattaya Beach, landing him in hot water.

 

Captured by Pattaya's special affairs officers, 28-year-old Mr. Neck claimed ignorance of the rules, saying he was unaware of the nationwide drone ban currently in effect.

 

At 10 p.m. on 3rd August, officials detained Mr. Neck as he operated the drone to capture images of the beach's beauty.

 

Through an interpreter, he explained this was his first visit and intended only to photograph the scenery, not knowing of the ban due to tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, reported MGR Online.

 

Authorities seized the drone and handed Mr. Neck over to Pattaya City Police for further legal action. Before his release, officers issued him a warning and clarified the regulations, ensuring he was fully informed of the situation.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) implemented the drone ban on 30th July, lasting until 15th August, or until further notice. This action aims to ensure national security and safety, allowing officials to operate in areas affected by the unrest.

 

Picture courtesy of MGR Online

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from MGR Online 2025-08-04

 

[save the frogs]

So do Youtubers who use drones get special permission?

 

[Will B Good]

 

 

Didn't the poster from the RTP say 20 years or the death penalty.....should be interesting.

[JoePai]

Pathetic blanket "law"

[NanLaew]

11 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

So do Youtubers who use drones get special permission?

 

 

No.

 

6 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Didn't the poster from the RTP say 20 years or the death penalty.....should be interesting.

 

No.

 

1 minute ago, JoePai said:

Pathetic blanket "law"

 

No.

[Will B Good]

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

No.

 

 

No.

 

 

No.

 

 

What's this...Scotch mist?

 

 

 

[JoePai]

16 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

No.

 

 

No.

 

 

No.

Do please explain why you think this is not a (pathetic) blanket law

[NanLaew]

7 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Do please explain why you think this is not a (pathetic) blanket law

 

Because it isn't.

[lordgrinz]

He can't fly one even if there wasn't a national emergency, I doubt a tourist has the required Thai license(s) to fly one, and doing so on a beach would still be illegal. I'm actually surprised he got one through Custom's inspection.

[NanLaew]

20 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

What's this...Scotch mist?

 

 

 

 

A Swedish guy on Pattaya Beach is NEVER going to be charged with, "Espionage, spying and threatening the national security of the Kingdom" which attracts the most severe punishments. He will probably get his drone back too.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

 

A Swedish guy on Pattaya Beach is NEVER going to be charged with, "Espionage, spying and threatening the national security of the Kingdom" which attracts the most severe punishments. He will probably get his drone back too.

 

That wasn't the point of your post was it....nice deflection.....so is it Scotch mist?

[NanLaew]

Just now, lordgrinz said:

He can't fly one even if their wasn't a national emergency, I doubt a tourist has the required Thai license(s) to fly one, and doing so on a beach would still be illegal. I'm actually surprised he got one through Custom's inspection.

 

What Customs Inspection? Only twice in 40 years have Customs looked at my checked baggage.

 

Anyhoo, he probably bought it here.

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

What Customs Inspection? Only twice in 40 years have Customs looked at my checked baggage.

 

Anyhoo, he probably bought it here.

 

They don't scan inbound baggage coming in via airplanes? I'm pretty sure they do, which then would end up with you getting a secondary inspection if something pops up in the scan.

[NanLaew]

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

That wasn't the point of your post was it....nice deflection.....so is it Scotch mist?

 

TBH, I had totally missed the army poster and was going on the initial announcement issued the morning after the ban was initially placed by the CAAT. That offered 1 year in jail and/or 40,000 baht fine. 

 

 

I guess the army didn't think it was serious enough, hence their poster?

 

But thanks for boosting forum footfall, much appreciated.

[NanLaew]

Just now, lordgrinz said:

 

They don't scan inbound baggage coming in via airplanes? I'm pretty sure they do, which then would end up with you getting a secondary inspection if something pops up in the scan.

 

They do both inbound and outbound these days. I assume the focus for this is on li-ion batteries rather than the shape of a drone. Luckily for me, they missed the slab of frozen scottish beef sausages and a dozen "footie" pies.

[Gottfrid]

27 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Because it isn't.

Get you facts straight! Blatantly posting 3 No, just made a hit on the stupidity meter. 

[JoePai]

35 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Because it isn't.

And you call that an explanation  😀

[JoePai]

33 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

He can't fly one even if there wasn't a national emergency, I doubt a tourist has the required Thai license(s) to fly one, and doing so on a beach would still be illegal. I'm actually surprised he got one through Custom's inspection.

Sorry but many 'tourists' have the necessary Thai license/insurance

[NanLaew]

26 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Get you facts straight! Blatantly posting 3 No, just made a hit on the stupidity meter. 

 

In understandable English, please?

 

19 minutes ago, JoePai said:

And you call that an explanation  😀

 

It suits me. Watching Thai media and talking with the family indicates that for the locals, this is a serious situation. Of course, the know-it-all farangs may choose to differ.

 

Anyway, not my circus, not my monkeys.

 

18 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Sorry but many 'tourists' have the necessary Thai license/insurance

 

I would suggest "several" or "a few." The drone novelty for most of your "many" probably wore off a while ago, and the batteries are probably buggered anyway.

[lordgrinz]

19 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Sorry but many 'tourists' have the necessary Thai license/insurance

 

I highly doubt that, but this individual would have been well aware of flying it illegally (which he was) if it was licensed and insured in Thailand, and I don't see a registration label on it either. It appears he was just doing like other 'tourists', whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

[JoePai]

9 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

In understandable English, please?

 

 

It suits me. Watching Thai media and talking with the family indicates that for the locals, this is a serious situation. Of course, the know-it-all farangs may choose to differ.

 

Anyway, not my circus, not my monkeys.

 

Nonsensical reply, but to make it easy for you, please explain why somebody in (say) Phuket) would cause security(?) problems on the Cambodiean border.

 

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

I highly doubt that, but this individual would have been well aware of flying it illegally (which he was) if it was licensed and insured in Thailand, and I don't see a registration label on it either. It appears he was just doing like other 'tourists', whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

 

Not really. I live here and, to be honest, I've been unaware of any official drone ban currently in effect - I wouldn't expect tourists to know,

 

My son received a DJI drone for Christmas - not a large one, but apparently even that falls under the category of what’s now prohibited. I had absolutely no idea.

 

So yes, people are quick to criticise tourists for flying drones - but how are they supposed to know there's a blanket ban if that information isn’t clearly communicated or publicly accessible? This is the first I’ve heard of any such restriction.

 

 

 

What I have just found out: my Son needs to register his 135gm DNI neo Drone (with NBTC & CAAT) because it has a camera even though its less than 2 kg.

I never knew this - for some reason I thought it was only drones over 2kg that required registration.

 

[Patong2021]

Who seriously believed the man's story? Pattaya beach scenery? Get real. It is nothing special. I think it was more likely he was  trying to get images of people in their things, bikinis  etc. Those images are then resold or used for commercial purposes. It is illegal to take images by drone in Sweden, without the consent of the subjects. Pleading ignorance is a BS excuse.

[dddave]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

He can't fly one even if there wasn't a national emergency, I doubt a tourist has the required Thai license(s) to fly one, and doing so on a beach would still be illegal. I'm actually surprised he got one through Custom's inspection.

Under normal circumstances, If a drone or quad is under 250 grams and does not have an onboard camera, it does not require a license.   If it is over 250g and has a camera it requires licensing from two authorities.

[lordgrinz]

22 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Not really. I live here and, to be honest, I've been unaware of any official drone ban currently in effect - I wouldn't expect tourists to know,

 

My son received a DJI drone for Christmas - not a large one, but apparently even that falls under the category of what’s now prohibited. I had absolutely no idea.

 

So yes, people are quick to criticise tourists for flying drones - but how are they supposed to know there's a blanket ban if that information isn’t clearly communicated or publicly accessible? This is the first I’ve heard of any such restriction.

 

 

 

What I have just found out: my Son needs to register his 135gm DNI neo Drone (with NBTC & CAAT) because it has a camera even though its less than 2 kg.

I never knew this - for some reason I thought it was only drones over 2kg that required registration.

 

 

I thought I would take up drone flying, the first thing I did was lookup "drones Thailand", immediately saw what's needed (registering/insuring) and the restrictions.....That was the end of my dreams. Plus I live within 9km of Don Mueang Airport which makes any drone usage here a no go for me.

[NanLaew]

27 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Nonsensical reply, but to make it easy for you, please explain why somebody in (say) Phuket) would cause security(?) problems on the Cambodiean border.

 

Why would the RTAF chose now to issue a statement about the commissioning of eight more light attack aircraft this coming Thursday that will be based in Chiang Mai?

 

Anyway, not my circus, not my monkeys. 

[msbkk]

I am owner of a small and light drone which is  officially registered. There are insurers offering to do all the paperwork for you, it is not a big deal to get the registration. I have heard from a visitor that even tourists can use the registration service of insurers.

 

Anyway, at the moment there is a ban to fly, even for registered drones.

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, msbkk said:

I am owner of a small and light drone which is  officially registered. There are insurers offering to do all the paperwork for you, it is not a big deal to get the registration. I have heard from a visitor that even tourists can use the registration service of insurers.

 

Anyway, at the moment there is a ban to fly, even for registered drones.

 

I gave up following the dream of getting one, but just for information sake, how much is the insurance costs per year?

[JoePai]

9 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I gave up following the dream of getting one, but just for information sake, how much is the insurance costs per year?

Depends on the level of cover but around 1,500 Baht/year

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

No.

 

 

No.

 

 

No.