Drone Laws in Thailand
Legal but strict and slow. You must register with BOTH the NBTC and CAAT, buy 1,000,000 THB liability insurance, and declare the drone at customs. Allow 1-2+ weeks; unregistered drones risk confiscation.
Thailand regulates drones through CAAT and NBTC, requiring dual registration, mandatory 1,000,000 THB insurance and a customs declaration, with a 90 m limit.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Drone rules change frequently and vary by location. Always confirm the current rules with the national aviation authority (linked below) before you fly. Last reviewed: July 2026.
Aviation authority
CAAT (aviation) + NBTC (radio)The rules
- Registration
- Dual registration required. NBTC: ~THB 200, within 30 days of import. CAAT: generally free, required for any camera drone or over 2kg. Both are needed.
- Remote ID
- No broadcast mandate; ID is via the CAAT registration number on the drone.
- Maximum altitude
- 90 m (about 300 ft).
- Line of sight
- VLOS at all times; standard day window 06:00-18:00; file flight plans ~3 days ahead for many operations.
- No-fly and distance rules
- Stay 9 km from the 14 designated airports; no flying over government buildings, hospitals, military zones or crowds without permission; 30 m+ from people/vehicles. Recent (2025-26) restrictions added bans in border provinces and energy-sensitive coastal areas.
- Commercial and paid work
- CAAT registration plus specific CAAT permission; THB 1,000,000 third-party liability insurance is mandatory (effectively for all outdoor flying).
- Notable restrictions
- National parks generally prohibit drones; temples, royal/government sites and border areas off-limits.
- Penalties
- No NBTC registration: up to 5 years' imprisonment and/or THB 100,000 fine. Flying unregistered under the aviation act: up to 1 year and/or THB 40,000. Confiscation is common.
Would rather not deal with the paperwork? Hire a local, insured drone pilot through Terasor.
Find a local drone pilotOfficial sources
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Drone rules change frequently and vary by location. Always confirm the current rules with the national aviation authority (linked below) before you fly. Last reviewed: July 2026.