You can fly a drone in Thailand as a tourist, but only after registering it with two agencies (the NBTC and the CAAT), buying third-party liability insurance of at least 1,000,000 baht and, under the rules in force since 26 June 2026, getting approval for each flight at least three days ahead. Some districts near the Cambodian border are closed to tourist flights altogether.
The rules are stricter than in most countries, and many websites still describe an older, simpler system. This page summarizes the current rules as published by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the UK Foreign Office, checked in October 2026. The aviation authority's own documents sit behind a bot wall we could not get through, so where a detail matters for your flight, confirm it on the CAAT portal itself.
Drone rules for visitors, October 2026
- Register with NBTC
- Every drone, any weight, within 30 days of arrival or purchase (anyregis.nbtc.go.th)
- Register with CAAT
- Any drone with a camera, and all drones over 2 kg; drone and pilot (uasportal.caat.or.th)
- Insurance
- Third-party liability, at least 1,000,000 baht; Thai or foreign insurer
- Each flight
- Approval on the UAS Portal at least 3 days ahead, then notify the police Anti-Drone Centre
- No-fly areas
- Named districts in 7 provinces on the Cambodian border, plus airports, cities, crowds and official sites
- Penalties
- Unregistered drone: up to 100,000 baht and/or 5 years; breaking CAAT Notice 16: up to 40,000 baht and/or 1 year
Two registrations: NBTC for the radio, CAAT for the aircraft
Thailand treats a drone as two things at once: a radio transmitter and an aircraft. That is why two agencies are involved, and why TAT stresses that registering with only one of them is not enough.
NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission). All drones must be registered for ownership and radio frequency, whatever their weight or purpose. The UK Foreign Office adds that you must do this within 30 days of entering Thailand or buying the drone there, even if you do not intend to fly it. Flying an unregistered drone can mean a fine of 100,000 baht, five years in prison, or both.
CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand). The CAAT registers both the drone and its operator and issues the drone pilot certificate. Registration is required for any drone fitted with a camera or recording device, for drones over 2 kg up to 25 kg, and for all drones over 25 kg, which also need written approval from the Minister of Transport. In practice this means every camera drone needs both registrations, including small models under 250 g that need no registration in many other countries.
"Under 250 grams, no paperwork" does not apply in Thailand. TAT says all drones need NBTC registration and any drone with a camera needs CAAT registration as well. Do not rely on rules from home or from older blog posts.
The pilot exam, the Thai SIM and the registration number
The CAAT side runs through the UAS Portal. According to TAT, a few practical points catch visitors out:
- You need a Thai SIM card to start the registration, because the portal verifies you with a one-time code by text message. Our article on Thai SIM cards and eSIMs explains how to get a local number on arrival.
- The pilot certificate requires an online exam. If you fail, you can retake it after 24 hours. The certificate is valid for two years.
- The registration number must be shown on the drone, in letters at least 3 mm high on drones under 25 kg (25 mm on heavier drones).
Allow time. An older guide from the Thai Embassy in Brussels (2024) said approval "normally" took one to two weeks and suggested starting before arrival by email; TAT's 2026 guide instead points to the UAS Portal after arrival. If you are on a short trip, factor the registration days and the three-day flight notice into your plans, or leave the drone at home.
Insurance: at least 1 million baht of third-party cover
CAAT registration requires third-party liability insurance with cover of at least 1,000,000 baht. TAT says the insurance "may be arranged locally or abroad", so a foreign policy is acceptable if it meets the amount. The Brussels embassy described the cover as bodily injury, death and damage to third-party property.
Do not assume your ordinary travel insurance covers drone liability; check the wording or buy a separate policy. Keep the certificate in English and in digital form, ready to upload.
Approval for every flight under CAAT Notice 16
CAAT Notice No. 16 took effect on 26 June 2026 "until further notice". It relaxed the special restrictions brought in during the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, so drones may again be flown in most of Thailand, but with conditions. According to TAT:
- Apply for approval on the UAS Portal at least three days before each flight, giving the area, date, time and purpose.
- Once approved, notify the Anti-Drone Centre of the Metropolitan Police Bureau before the flight (antidrone.police@gmail.com, +66 2 126 7846).
- Follow any conditions attached to the approval.
TAT places the per-flight approval within the Notice 16 section, so it may be relaxed when the notice is lifted. We could not confirm that, so plan on it for now and check the portal before your trip. Breaking the notice can bring up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both, and TAT says military and security agencies may use anti-drone systems.
Where you cannot fly: the border districts
Under Notice 16, drones remain banned in controlled districts of seven provinces along the Cambodian border, and recreational or tourist flights there are not generally permitted. The districts named by TAT are:
| Province | Districts closed to drone flights |
|---|---|
| Ubon Ratchathani | Khemarat, Na Tan, Pho Sai, Si Mueang Mai, Khong Chiam, Sirindhorn, Buntharik, Na Chaluai, Nam Yuen |
| Si Sa Ket | Phu Sing, Khun Han, Kantharalak |
| Surin | Phanom Dong Rak, Kap Choeng, Sangkha, Bua Chet |
| Buri Ram | Lahan Sai, Ban Kruat |
| Sa Kaeo | Khlong Hat, Aranyaprathet, Khok Sung, Ta Phraya |
| Chanthaburi | Mueang Chanthaburi, Soi Dao, Pong Nam Ron |
| Trat | Mueang Trat, Khlong Yai, Bo Rai |
Two of these matter to ordinary tourists. Mueang Trat is the district around Trat town, which many travelers pass through on the way to Koh Chang and the other eastern islands, and Khong Chiam is a riverside district on the Mekong in Ubon Ratchathani, in the Isaan region. The UK also advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the Cambodian land border; our page on the Cambodian border explains the wider situation, and our overview of whether Thailand is safe covers the official advice for the rest of the country.
Everyday flight rules
Away from the border, TAT's summary of the CAAT rules sets these conditions:
- Fly only in daylight and clear weather, and never into or near cloud.
- Keep the drone within your own line of sight. Flying by camera feed (FPV) alone is not allowed.
- Stay at least 9 km from any airport or temporary airfield unless you have approval. Our guide to Thailand's airports shows where they are.
- Keep the minimum separation distance: 30 m for drones under 2 kg, 50 m for drones of 2 to 25 kg.
- Do not fly over towns and cities, crowds, government buildings, hospitals, military zones or restricted areas unless authorized. In practice this rules out most of central Bangkok.
- Night flights, flights above 90 m and flights into restricted zones need prior written approval from the CAAT (uas_u@caat.or.th).
National parks, temples and private land may have their own rules. We found no official list for tourists, so ask the park office or the owner before you take off. Report any incident to the CAAT at +66 2 568 8851 or uav@caat.or.th.
Bringing the drone in, and filming for work
TAT says drones may be brought into Thailand. Pack the batteries as your airline requires and check our guide to Thai customs rules for the general allowances. We did not find an official Thai customs page specific to drones.
The registration and flight rules above apply to everyone, including content creators. If you are filming for a client, a brand or a production company, other permits may apply; we have not verified those, so ask the CAAT before you plan a shoot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register a DJI Mini under 250 g in Thailand?
Yes. TAT says every drone must be registered with the NBTC regardless of weight, and any drone with a camera must also be registered with the CAAT. Small camera drones get no exemption, unlike in many other countries.
Can I register my drone before I arrive in Thailand?
Partly. TAT's 2026 guide says you need a Thai SIM card to start CAAT registration on the UAS Portal, which usually means doing it after arrival. An older embassy guide described starting by email before the trip; check the portal for the current process.
How far in advance do I need flight approval?
Under CAAT Notice No. 16, in force since 26 June 2026, TAT says each flight needs approval on the UAS Portal at least three days in advance, and you must notify the police Anti-Drone Centre before flying.
What happens if I fly an unregistered drone in Thailand?
The UK Foreign Office says flying a drone not registered with the NBTC can be punished by a 100,000 baht fine, five years in prison, or both. Breaking CAAT Notice 16 can mean up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 40,000 baht.
Can I fly a drone on Koh Chang?
Koh Chang is not on TAT's list of closed districts, but Mueang Trat district on the mainland is. You still need both registrations, insurance and approval for each flight, and you must keep clear of villages and crowds.
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand – Flying a drone in Thailand: updated guide for tourists (checked October 2026)
- UK FCDO – Thailand travel advice: safety and security (drones) (checked October 2026)
- Royal Thai Embassy, Brussels – Bringing drones into Thailand for foreigners (checked October 2026)
- UK FCDO – Thailand travel advice: warnings and insurance (checked October 2026)