Bangkok: The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced a ban on drone flights in specific districts within five border provinces, effective until November 15, 2025. This directive, outlined in Announcement No. 9, aims to address national security concerns related to the ongoing situation at the Thai-Cambodian border.
According to Thai News Agency, the CAAT has specified regions in Sa Kaeo, Buriram, Sisaket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces where drone operations remain prohibited. These areas include districts such as Khlong Hat, Aranyaprathet, and Khok Sung in Sa Kaeo; Lahansai and Ban Kruat in Buriram; Phusing and Khun Han in Sisaket; Phanom Dong Rak and Kab Choeng in Surin; and several districts in Ubon Ratchathani. Additionally, a restriction is in place for a radius of 9 kilometers around designated airports and areas announced by security agencies.
To operate drones legally within the permitted zones, users must register both the drone and its operator with CAAT. They are also required to submit flight requests at least three days in advance through the UAS Portal application. Flight operations are limited to altitudes not exceeding 90 meters and are allowed between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, with further permissions required for operations outside these hours, except between 12:01 AM and 4:00 AM, when flights are strictly prohibited.
The CAAT's directive necessitates that authorized operators inform the agency of flight details and purpose via the UAS Portal and notify the Anti-Drone Operations Center. Any deviation from the prescribed conditions requires additional permissions and documentation.
The CAAT emphasized that the ban was established after thorough evaluations with security agencies, identifying critical areas where drone use could pose security risks. However, the CAAT has eased restrictions in most areas of the country to accommodate civilian and business drone activities, ensuring that such operations adhere to stringent safety and security measures. The agency remains vigilant, monitoring the situation at the border to adjust measures as necessary, maintaining a balance between national security and the responsible use of technology.