Court Voids Order Allowing Foreign Pilots on TH Domestic Routes

Court Voids Order Allowing Foreign Pilots on Thai Domestic Routes

Thailand’s Administrative Court has annulled a Labour Ministry announcement that had permitted foreign pilots to operate domestic flights under a wet-lease arrangement. The court ruled that the exemption represented an unlawful exercise of ministerial power, following a lawsuit brought by the Thai Pilots Association. The decision effectively restores a ban on foreign nationals acting as primary pilots on domestic routes in Thailand, pending further regulatory revision. Industry watchers say the move could impact airlines that were relying on the policy to manage pilot shortages. Some airlines may now face operational pressure to recruit or train Thai nationals for those roles.