Asia
Cambodia
Ministry of National Defence — nationwide ban since December 2025
Since 30 December 2025 an order from the Ministry of National Defence bans unauthorised drone use nationwide, following the border conflict with Thailand, with heightened enforcement in the 7 border provinces.
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
Since 30 December 2025 the Ministry of National Defence has banned unauthorised drone flights across all of Cambodia, following the border conflict with Thailand; violators risk legal action and the military is authorised to use anti-drone systems. The directive does not appear to have been formally repealed, though enforcement seems to have eased somewhat in 2026. Check the latest status before bringing a drone to Cambodia.
Since 30 December 2025 a Ministry of National Defence order bans unauthorised drone use nationwide (capital and all provinces), with heightened enforcement in the 7 provinces bordering Thailand. Prior authorisation from the Ministry of Defence is required; the situation remains fluid in 2026.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Specific permits required for Phnom Penh (declared a no-drone zone), Siem Reap/Angkor Wat (APSARA Authority), near airports, government buildings and historical/cultural sites; since December 2025 the ban extends to the whole national territory.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The nationwide ban of 30 December 2025 is confirmed by Cambodia's own official government news agency AKP (akp.gov.kh, primary source) and multiple independent outlets; the exact enforcement status in 2026 (eased but not formally repealed) remains to be verified.
Verify officially before flying
Source: State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) / Ministry of National Defence
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Here the threshold usually depends on the drone's weight or whether it has a camera: below a certain weight, often 250 g, many systems don't require registration for recreational use. Check the note above and the official source to see whether your specific drone falls under the requirement. For Cambodia, the official reference remains State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) / Ministry of National Defence. Since 30 December 2025 a Ministry of National Defence order bans unauthorised drone use nationwide (capital and all provinces), with heightened enforcement in the 7 provinces bordering Thailand. Prior authorisation from the Ministry of Defence is required; the situation remains fluid in 2026.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.