The radio equipment registration for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), i.e., drones, is divided into two main parts: manufacturers and owners. The resolution of the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) prohibits drones from being used until they are registered. Violators may face a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. Therefore, the registration process has different procedures and conditions for manufacturers and owners.

1. Businesses that intend to manufacture, import, distribute, or repair radio communication equipment for radio equipment used in UAVs are required to obtain a license for manufacturing, importing, and/or trading such radio communication equipment (in case of importing, only when the application is submitted to NBTC);
2. Radio equipment for UAVs that are manufactured, imported, or sold for general use in the country must comply with the frequency and transmitting power specified in the NBTC's announcement regarding criteria and conditions for licensing the use of frequencies for UAVs used for general purposes;
3. The business must comply with the technical requirements related to the frequency and transmitting power by filling in the self-declaration form (Supplier Declaration of Conformity: SDoC), along with relevant documents and following the announcement of NBTC regarding the certification of telecommunication equipment and accessories issued by the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission;
4. Importing radio equipment for UAVs for general use requires an import license by submitting a request for import permission along with a Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) and relevant documents at the Office of the NBTC on Licensing Criteria and Procedures for Radio;
5. In the radio equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles that has been granted an import license since 19 January 2018, the business must comply with the announcement from the NBTC regarding the import of radiocommunication equipment and the announcement regarding the trading of radio communication equipment. If the radiocommunication equipment is imported before obtaining a license, the competent official shall consider and settle cases under the Radio Communications Act, B.E. 2498.

Information as of 4 April 2023
Source: Digital Government Development Agency
Tel. +66 2612 6060