The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has marked a breakthrough year, elevating the country's aviation oversight standards across safety, security, and modern aviation technology readiness.
A landmark achievement came in April 2025 when Thailand regained Category 1 status from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. This milestone, achieved through comprehensive regulatory reforms and personnel capacity building, restores international confidence in Thailand's aviation safety system. Thai airlines can now operate direct flights to the United States and expand routes to key markets including South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.
CAAT also passed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) USOAP-CMA safety audit with a high Effective Implementation score, demonstrating Thailand's systematic compliance with international standards.
In a forward-looking move, CAAT authorized and supervised test flights of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft under strict safety protocols—a significant step toward implementing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology in Thailand.
"eVTOL testing marks the beginning of our regulatory preparation for new forms of aviation. CAAT prioritizes balancing innovation with safety to ensure Thailand keeps pace with global aviation transformation," said Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, CAAT Director-General.
Building on 2025's success, CAAT will co-host with ICAO the AAM Symposium 2026 on 1-3 December 2026, bringing together international regulators, experts, and industry leaders to exchange knowledge on modern aviation practices—cementing Thailand's role as a regional aviation hub ready for the future.
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