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Status report

Drone Status Thailand

A live overview of current drone regulations in Thailand and how they affect flights for tourists and newly registered pilots.

Last updated:23 May 2026
Heads up: Major restrictions currently apply to newly registered drone pilots in Thailand. Read on for the details that matter for your trip.

General Information

Since 15 August 2025, every drone flight in Thailand must be registered individually through the UAS Portal App before take-off.

Flight requests for unrestricted airspace – meaning areas outside of any Danger, Restricted or Prohibited Zone – are now usually approved instantly. That makes spontaneous flights possible again in many parts of the country.

An overview of the different airspace zones is available in our Thailand Drone Map.

Drone Pilot Training Requirement

Any CAAT pilot license issued from 17 May 2026 onwards now requires an additional training certificate in order to fly in permission-required airspace, including:

  • Danger Areas (VTD)
  • Restricted Areas (VTR)
  • Prohibited Areas (VTP)
Pilots who registered with CAAT before 17 May 2026 are currently not affected. They can still select "No Training Completed" inside the UAS Portal and keep flying until their pilot license expires.

The current problem

Several training schools are officially recognised, but key questions remain unanswered:

  • Which exact training course is actually required
  • Whether online training will be accepted
  • Whether in-person attendance is mandatory

See the official list of approved schools.

Current impact

For any new CAAT registration created via the UAS Portal after 17 May, flying in permission-required airspace is currently not possible. This affects every Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Zone shown on our drone map.

✓Still Possible for New Pilots

Popular destinations where newly registered pilots can usually still fly:

  • Phuket
  • Krabi
  • Parts of Phang Nga
  • Koh Phi Phi
Flights in unrestricted areas are normally approved instantly inside the UAS Portal App.

✕Currently Not Possible for New Pilots

Many popular drone spots are currently off-limits for pilots who registered after 17 May 2026:

  • Koh Samui
  • Koh Phangan
  • Koh Tao
  • Koh Chang
  • Koh Kood
  • Koh Mak
  • Khao Lak
  • Koh Similan
  • Bangkok
  • Large parts of Chiang Mai

Military Restrictions – Cambodia Border

In addition to the training rules, drone flights are currently prohibited in many border provinces due to military restrictions related to the Cambodia conflict.

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
Chon Buri
Bo Thong, Bang Lamung, Ban Bueng, Si Racha, Sattahip, Ko Sichang, Phan Thong
Rayong
Mueang Rayong, Nikhom Phatthana, Ban Khai, Pluak Daeng
Chachoengsao
Mueang Chachoengsao, Bang Pakong, Bang Nam Priao, Phanom Sarakham
Phetchaburi
Ban Laem
Samut Songkhram
Mueang Samut Songkhram
Samut Sakhon
Mueang Samut Sakhon

Source: CAAT Facebook announcement.

Well-known affected spots

  • Pattaya
  • Koh Samet
  • Maeklong Railway Market near Bangkok

Questions about your route?

Tell us where you want to fly and we'll let you know whether it's currently possible – and handle the full CAAT & NBTC registration for you.

Contact us