Asia
Thailand
CAAT + NBTC — RPA Regulation
Thailand imposes a registration regime with no exceptions for tourists: every drone with a camera or over 2kg must be registered with both CAAT and NBTC. Registration requires physically entering Thailand, a Thai phone number and passing a CAAT knowledge test (80% pass threshold).
Tourist flying effectively not allowed
Third-party liability insurance is mandatory and only accepted as annual policies: even a tourist visiting for one or two weeks must buy a full year's policy. Overall, the process is designed more for residents/professionals than for a passing tourist.
Above this, prior written CAAT approval is required (source: official thailand.go.th portal, tourist guide updated 6 February 2026).
Dual CAAT (aircraft/pilot) + NBTC (radio) registration, only completable physically in Thailand.
Mandatory CAAT knowledge test (80% pass threshold) before completing pilot registration.
Mandatory, minimum coverage 1,000,000 THB (confirmed on thailand.go.th); the annual-only policy requirement is reported by insurance brokers, not a direct official source.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Restrictions active in specific districts of 7 provinces bordering Cambodia (Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Trat), with case-by-case exceptions only for agriculture, disaster response and government use — tightened between December 2025 and February 2026, then partly eased by CAAT Notice No.16 of 26 June 2026 (source: thailand.go.th). Penalties up to 5 years in prison and confiscation of the device.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The requirement for exclusively annual insurance policies (even for short stays) comes only from insurance brokers, not directly from CAAT. Everything else is now confirmed on thailand.go.th, the official Thai government portal (the direct CAAT document remained unreachable in this research).
Verify officially before flying
Source: CAAT — Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Thailand, the official reference remains CAAT — Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, also via UAS Portal CAAT. Dual CAAT (aircraft/pilot) + NBTC (radio) registration, only completable physically in Thailand.
How this usually works
In most systems, the pilot license (or "certificate") is a theory exam, often entirely online and free, covering the basics: airspace, safety distances, privacy. It's nothing like a driving license, but it's still a legal requirement. Most systems have more than one level: an entry-level exam for flights further from people and built-up areas, and a more thorough one if you want to fly closer. The certificate is usually valid for a few years before it needs renewing. The exam and certificate are handled by CAAT — Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, also via UAS Portal CAAT. Mandatory CAAT knowledge test (80% pass threshold) before completing pilot registration.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.