Thailand’s skies are cracking open—just a little—for the nation’s farmers. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has confirmed that agricultural drone operations will be allowed starting tomorrow, August 11, under strict, no-nonsense rules. Everyone else? Keep your drones grounded. The nationwide ban on non-agricultural drone flights remains in force until August 15 or until authorities say otherwise.
If you’re picturing a free-for-all with buzzing quadcopters at sunrise, think again. CAAT’s green light comes with guardrails designed for safety, security, and serious accountability. Here’s what’s actually allowed—and what isn’t.
What Agricultural Drone Flights Are Allowed
Only farming tasks make the cut, and only during daylight. Operators can fly from 6am to 6pm, below 30 metres in altitude, and solely for spraying or distributing agricultural substances, water, or fertiliser. This is not a backdoor for aerial photography, mapping, or surveying. If your drone is carrying a camera for anything other than basic navigation, leave it off. The mission is farming, not filming.
Who Can Fly—and What You Need First
CAAT is crystal clear: both the drone and the person at the controls must be registered with the authority. On top of that, operators need a formal agricultural flight authorisation. The pilot must have a clean record and may fly only over their own farmland, or over land they are explicitly authorised to operate on. No freelancing, no shortcuts.
There’s also a clock to beat. You must file your flight notification at least 12 hours in advance. You can do this through the CAAT UAS Portal, via a designated email, or by notifying local officials. No notice, no flight.
Security First: The No-Fly Zones You Must Respect
Amid heightened sensitivities along the Thailand–Cambodia border, the government isn’t taking chances. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub underscored that restricted and hazardous areas are strictly off-limits, with particular attention on key provinces including Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Ratchaburi, as well as border provinces Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Sisaket. If your field or planned route snakes anywhere near sensitive infrastructure, assume the answer is no unless explicitly permitted.
And don’t forget the golden aviation rule: no drones within a 9-kilometre radius of airports or aircraft landing sites. Full stop. As reported by the Bangkok Post, these restrictions aren’t just advisory—they’re enforceable.
Enforcement Is Ramping Up
Make no mistake: oversight will be tough. On August 2, Lieutenant General Boonsin Phatklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Region, met virtually with governors from 20 northeastern provinces to tighten surveillance and response to unlawful drone activity. As directors of their provincial Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) units, governors were told to collaborate closely with police, private partners, and local communities.
The playbook includes acquiring anti-drone technologies and protecting critical sites—provincial halls, sports fields, armouries, police stations, transport hubs, and airports. Patrols are being stepped up to identify non-residents in sensitive areas. Authorities have also reminded officials to apply the law precisely; violations tied to national security could bring severe charges, including terrorism or espionage, which carry penalties up to capital punishment. In short: fly right, or don’t fly at all.
Your Pre-Flight Checklist (Farmers Only)
- Register your drone and yourself with CAAT, and obtain agricultural flight authorisation.
- Confirm you’re operating only on your own or duly authorised farmland.
- File your flight notification at least 12 hours before takeoff via the CAAT UAS Portal, the designated email, or local officials.
- Plan your mission for between 6am and 6pm, staying below 30 metres altitude.
- Stick strictly to spraying or distributing agricultural substances, water, or fertiliser. No photography or surveying.
- Study local maps: avoid restricted zones and maintain a 9-km buffer from airports and landing sites.
- Prepare documentation: keep proof of registration, authorisation, and flight notice on hand for inspections.
- Check weather and field conditions—if heavy rain or high winds are expected, reschedule.
Why This Matters Now
For many growers, drone operations are the difference between a timely application and a missed window. With forecasts warning of heavy rainfall and potential flash floods in parts of Thailand, precision spraying during limited daylight hours can help reduce runoff and keep inputs where they’re needed most. CAAT’s carefully controlled corridor gives agriculture a way to keep moving while the broader drone community stays grounded for security reasons.
Bottom Line
From August 11, agriculture gets a cautious green light: fly low, fly early, and fly by the book. Everything else remains firmly on pause until at least August 15. Between tight timelines, stringent notifications, and expanding no-fly zones across provinces like Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Sisaket, the message is simple—compliance isn’t optional.
For farmers ready to do things the right way, tomorrow’s dawn offers a narrow but valuable window to get vital work done. For everyone else, patience. The sky will have to wait.
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