Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has issued a new directive allowing drone operations nationwide under strict safety conditions, with the exception of high-security areas and five provinces along the Cambodian border.

 

The announcement, published as CAAT Order No. 5, takes effect from 1 to 15 September 2025 or until further notice. It follows a review of security measures under a previous order, which had imposed tighter restrictions between 15 and 31 August amid tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border.

 

Officials said the situation has now eased, allowing for wider drone use for both personal and commercial purposes, provided operators comply with registration and approval requirements.

 

Prohibited Areas

 

Drone flights remain strictly banned in the following zones:

 

• Five border provinces under martial law or with heavy troop deployment: Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani (with Chanthaburi and Trat removed from the list).

 

• Designated security districts: Sattahip (Chon Buri), Mueang Rayong (Rayong), Phayuha Khiri (Nakhon Sawan), and Mueang Ratchaburi (Ratchaburi).

 

• Airspace within nine kilometres of airports, including newly added restrictions around Khok Kathiam Airport in Lop Buri and Prachuap Khiri Khan Airport.

 

• Any additional areas declared by security agencies.

 

Operating Conditions

 

To operate legally, drone pilots must:

 

• Register both the operator and the drone with CAAT.

 

• Submit a flight request at least three days in advance via the UAS Portal (uasportal.caat.or.th), specifying the time, location and purpose.

 

• Report operations to the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Anti-Drone Centre ([email protected]).

 

• Obtain special permission for flights outside the hours of 06:00–18:00, with a blanket ban on flights between 00:01 and 04:00.

 

• Seek additional authorisation for drones over 25kg, particularly agricultural drones, under Ministry of Transport regulations.

 

Exemptions apply to drones operated by military, police, customs, agriculture, environment and intelligence agencies, though some must still notify security authorities before flying in restricted zones.

 

Enforcement and Reporting

 

Authorities are urging the public to report any illegal or suspicious drone activity that may pose a security risk. Reports should include details of the incident, location, and, if available,  photographs or video. Complaints can be submitted via:

• CAAT’s Unmanned Aircraft Standards Division (02-568-8851, [email protected])

 

• The Anti-Drone Centre, Metropolitan Police Bureau (02-126-7846, [email protected])

 

• Local police, military or security units.

 

Rising Drone Registrations

 

CAAT revealed that drone registrations have surged since restrictions were tightened earlier this month. In August alone, 7,785 drones were registered, nearly double the total recorded between September 2024 and July 2025. Registrations of heavy agricultural drones (over 25kg) also rose sharply to 8,349 operators, a 100% increase.

 

The authority said the boom reflects both the growing popularity of drones in agriculture and industry and the public’s effort to comply with safety and security rules.

 

Related article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1369954-thailand-lifts-drone-flight-ban-with-strict-conditions/

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-08-31

 

 

 

 

'CAAT Eases Drone Flight Restrictions'

 

Submit a flight request at least three days in advance via the UAS Portal (uasportal.caat.or.th), specifying the time, location and purpose.

 

Has drone flights again entertaining, how do you think of it....3 request days in advance.

Provinces under formal martial law? I must have missed those announcements.