Thailand Bans Drone Flights in Sensitive Areas amid Border Tensions

Thailand Bans Drone Flights in Sensitive Areas amid Border Tensions

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has officially prohibited the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in areas deemed sensitive to national security during the current tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director of CAAT, stated that the presence of drones has been detected in ways that may compromise national security, safety operations, or public order.

Effective immediately, all drone flights are strictly banned in designated high-risk provinces, including:  Chanthaburi, Trat, Buri Ram, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo, Lopburi, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Phetchabun, and Phichit.

All drone operations are also strictly prohibited within a 9-kilometer (5 nautical mile) radius of any airport or temporary landing site. Violation of this order may result in up to 1 year imprisonment, a fine of up to 40,000 THB (around 1,235 USD), or both—under the Air Navigation Act and the 2010 Act on Offenses Relating to Aircraft. See less