Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) is set to update the country’s aviation regulations by the end of 2025 to accommodate the increasing use of drones and support the commercial drone sector. The move comes as demand for drone services rises across various industries.
The Transport Ministry has directed CAAT to amend the Air Navigation Act, B.E. 2497 (1954), with the revisions aimed at improving aviation safety standards and technical operations. According to CAAT Director ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon, the updated regulations will include at least 30 new measures specifically targeting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones.
The proposed changes will bring Thailand’s aviation standards in line with international benchmarks, including those established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The new regulations are intended to apply to both domestic and international operators within the country’s airspace.
In anticipation of the growing use of drones, CAAT has already revised existing rules to allow the operation of drones weighing over 25 kilogrammes, a regulation that took effect on 1 September 2024. This adjustment has significantly boosted the deployment of larger drones, particularly in industrial sectors.
Beyond legislative changes, CAAT has initiated several programs to encourage the commercial use of drones. One major project is a pilot drone delivery service scheduled to start in June 2025, operating between the Bang Rak National Telecom Office and Iconsiam in Bangkok, crossing the Chao Phraya River. Following the trial, CAAT plans to invite private operators to propose additional delivery routes based on market demand.
Since 2018, CAAT has authorised 127,507 UAV operations, with approximately 10% attributed to agricultural drones and another 10% operated by foreign entities. The remainder mainly involves small-scale drones. Registration records show around 60,000 individuals have signed up as drone operators, though CAAT estimates that about 20,000 drones remain unregistered. Under the updated rules, all drone operators will be required to obtain a drone aviation certificate by 1 September 2025.
Among those overseeing and promoting the initiative are CAAT Director ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon and officials from the Transport Ministry, who have been involved in the legislative review and the planning of drone industry support programs.
