Thailand Drone Registration CAAT & NBTC: How to Register Your Drone Properly!
- Anna & Tom
- Aug 7, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Thailand offers breathtaking landscapes and great photo opportunities. It's no wonder many photographers are eager to fly their drones to capture the stunning nature of this beautiful country.
As a tourist traveling to Thailand, you can bring and fly your drone. However, prior registration with several authorities (CAAT and NBTC) is required. Flying without drone permission can lead to hefty fines or even imprisonment.
In this article, we will show you step-by-step how to register your photo drone in Thailand to ensure safe and legal use. Further we will also give you insights to the drone laws.
P.S.: At the very bottom of our post, we reveal a shortcut for the drone registration that might be an easier option for you.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Thailand Drone Registration - Laws and Regulations
Before registering your drone in Thailand, it’s important to understand the current laws and regulations.
For most camera drones, you need to register with two authorities: the CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand) and the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission), where you must submit all required documents.
The Thai Aviation Authority (CAAT) is responsible for drone regulations, and the NBTC is the authority where you must register if you use a photo drone.
In addition, drone insurance is urgently required. Further down in this post, you will find detailed information about what needs to be covered by the insurance.
General Rules to Fly a Drone in Thailand include:
Maximum flight altitude: 90 meters in uncontrolled airspace (flights in Chiang Mai generally require air traffic control approval due to the proximity of the airport to the city)
No requirement for drone identification tags
Keep a 9 km distance from airports
Maintain a 50-meter distance from buildings, people, and vehicles
The drone must fly within visual line of sight
Drone registration: NBTC and CAAT registration necessary
Drone insurance policy: Drone insurance required
Drone flying is only allowed during daylight hours (between sunrise and sunset)
Step 2: Drone Insurance
To register your drone, you must provide proof of insurance. This insurance must cover the following key details:
Insurance certificate in English or Thai
The validity of the insurance in Thailand must be clearly stated
Coverage amount of at least 1 million THB (approximately 30,000 Euros)
Full name of the insured (the drone pilot) must be on the certificate
Brand, model, serial number of the drone, and weight of the insured drone(s)
Ideally, take care of this confirmation in advance, as it can take some time. We needed two attempts with our insurance until all the information was correctly printed on the certificate.
Step 3: Documents needed to fly your Drone in Thailand
Before starting the registration process, make sure you have all the necessary documents ready. These usually include:
Copy of your valid passport
Drone model and serial number
Proof of drone purchase
Photos of the drone (including the serial number)
Address in Thailand (the hotel you are staying at)
Step 4: Online NBTC Registration
Registration with the NBTC is generally possible online. You can easily start this process before your trip.
First, you need to create an account with the NBTC. After confirming your email address, you can already enter your contact details in Thailand. For the final registration, a photo of your entry stamp in your passport is required, which you will receive upon arrival at the airport and can only be completed on-site.
The cost for drone registration with the NBTC is around 200 Baht and must be deposited at a Thai bank. We recommend the Krung Thai Bank for this.
In addition to registration with the NBTC, registration with the CAAT is also required.
Step 5: Online Registration with CAAT via the UAS Portal
If your drone can take photos and videos or weighs more than 2 kg, you must ensure that it is registered with CAAT.
The CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand) is the authority responsible for registering drone pilots and owners in Thailand.
Since the launch of the new UAS Portal for CAAT registrations, certificates for your drone are available immediately after registration. However, you must keep the following points in mind:
Have a Thai phone number
Pass a test with 40 questions (at least 30 must be answered correctly)
Attach the registration number to your drone
Provide a purchase contract or invoice for your drone
Since the new process has become even more complex due to the requirement of a Thai phone number, we highly recommend using the drone registration service from Max and Mild. You simply need to fill out their Drone Application Form.
Alternatively, you can follow these steps to register your drone in Thailand:
Create an Account
CAAT offers online registration through the UAS Portal. The website is mostly in Thai, but all relevant fields have been translated into English—click on the Thai flag in the top right corner and switch to English.
Create an account. At this stage, you will already need a Thai phone number to receive a verification code.
After verification, click on the CAAT button (if you are not a Thai citizen).
Now, you must provide some personal details (name, address, date of birth, nationality, passport number, occupation, etc.). Fill in this information truthfully and click on Confirm.
Once your account is created, you can log in to the portal using your email and password.
Pilot Registration
Log in to your UAS account for registration.
In your UAS portal, you will see a red notification box saying, "The Pilot License ID has not been registered".
To complete the registration, click on "Basic pilot registration below 25".
Next, you must provide your first address in Thailand and upload a photo of your passport.
There is also an upload field for additional documents, but this can be left empty.
Under Self-Declaration, check all three boxes (confirming that you are at least 20 years old, do not pose a threat to national security, and have never been convicted of drug or customs-related offenses).
Click on Next to proceed to the next page, where you can review your details.
40-Question Test for the Pilot License
To obtain your pilot license through the UAS portal, you must complete a 40-question multiple-choice test within 40 minutes. Each question has four answer choices.
The questions are divided into five categories, each with its own information document, which we have linked here:
We recommend keeping the relevant document open during the test to look up answers, as the test is quite challenging.
If you fail the test, you can retake it after 24 hours.
If you pass the test (at least 30 correct answers), click on "Return to home page" to proceed with your drone registration. In your dashboard, you will see that the field for the pilot license has now turned green, indicating that you have received an official Pilot License ID.
Under the Profile menu, you can access your drone license. Right-click on the images and select Save image as to download and print them. (We always carried a printed copy for safety).
Register Your Drone
Finally, you need to register your drone.
Under the Drone menu, click on "Register a drone below 25 kg" and fill out the form with detailed information about your drone, including:
Drone brand and model
Serial number
Color
Maximum takeoff weight
Drone insurance details
Photos of: your drone’s invoice, insurance certificate, and pictures of your drone
Once all information is completed and uploaded, confirm your details to finalize the drone registration.
A code will be displayed, which must be attached to your drone (either as a sticker or written with a permanent marker).
Online Drone Registration Process in Thailand: Is Registering Your Drone in Thailand Worth the Effort?
Registering your photo drone in Thailand is quite a hassle, but it’s possible to fly legally in Thailand, and we believe it’s worth the effort. With a camera drone, you can capture many great perspectives that would otherwise remain hidden.
Moreover, you can register online before your trip, saving time during your vacation. However, start the process early, as registration can only be completed after you have arrived.
If you want to save yourself all the hassle, you can have everything organized through a German agency for a small additional fee. You only pay if the registration is completed on time. All you need to do is fill out the drone application form on Max and his girlfriend Mild's website.
Need more information for your travel planning? The following articles will help you plan your dream trip to Thailand:
Want more insights into our travels? Check out our Instagram channels tom_rbg_ und anna_rbg_! If you have any questions about the routes, feel free to contact us through these channels!
