“Buying a Drone to Teach Coding in the Classroom… Do You Really Have to Deal with Legal Issues Too?”
In an era where AI and Robotics are essential skills for the 21st century, many schools have chosen to use DJI RoboMaster TT (Tello Talent) It serves as the primary teaching tool because it is small, weighs only 87 grams, and appears to be a safe “toy”
But wait! Under Thai law in the year 2569 (2026), this tiny drone “is not a toy” but is classified as “aircraft” Full-Featured
This article will summarize Legal Framework and Standard Practices, Year 2569 To help administrators and teachers easily understand what needs to be done so that our school can use drones correctly, safely, and without risking imprisonment.
1. Understanding: Why Do “Educational Drones” Need to Be Registered?
Many of you are wondering “It only weighs 87 grams, lighter than a mobile phone — isn’t it exempt from the law?” The answer is “Not exempt” because according to the B.E. 2569 regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the criteria for disqualification from exemptions are very clear:
❌ Weight: Even though it weighs less than 2 kilograms…
✅ Camera: But if “equipped with a recording camera” (of which the RoboMaster TT has a 5MP camera)
✅ Wi-Fi: and uses radio frequencies for control
Result: RoboMaster TT falls under the category of “aircraft required to be registered” 100% with no exceptions. Schools, as “legal entities,” are therefore obligated to comply with 2 key laws as follows
2. Checkpoint 1: National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) - “Own It, Declare It”
This law, see at Possession of Telecommunications Radio Equipment Yes
To do: Drone Possession Registration (Application KT.30)
Deadline: Indoor 30 Days After receiving the item (Warning! If purchased and left unregistered for too long, a fine will apply)
Fee for Year 2026: 214 Baht per drone (One-time payment for lifetime use)
Tips for School: The online system (AnyRegis) does not yet support batch data import. It is recommended that procurement officers prepare the Serial Number data in Excel, then Copy-Paste and fill in one entry at a time, as this will be the fastest method.
3. Checkpoint 2: Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) - “To Fly, You Must Apply”
This level focuses on “Safety and Aircraft Operation” In 2569, there are very important updates:
Q: Is registration still free?
A: Great news! As of early 2569, the UAS Portal system is still open for registering drone operators and aircraft. “No Fee (0 Baht)” (However, this may change at any time — it is recommended to act promptly.)
Q: Is a drone pilot license exam required?
A: Yes, an exam is required. In 2026, CAAT has raised the standards. Instructors registering as “Remote Pilots” are required to complete an online knowledge test (approximately 40 questions) and pass within the system before the license can be printed.
Q: If flying only indoors (in a classroom), is authorization required?
A: This can be divided into 2 separate matters.
Registration: “Required” For every drone, even when flying indoors.
Flight Authorization (Flight Plan): “Not Required” If flying within a fully enclosed building (classroom/gymnasium), you may fly without submitting a flight plan in advance.
4. Topic: “Insurance” – Pay Once, Cover the Entire Fleet (Fleet Insurance)
The law requires every drone to have third-party liability insurance with a coverage limit 1,000,000 Baht The problem is: If a school has 50 drones, they must purchase 50 separate insurance policies — premiums will certainly skyrocket
Solution for 2026: Recommended “Fleet Insurance” (Fleet Insurance) For organizations
Price: Average approximately 600 – 900 THB/unit/year (Subject to negotiation and number of units)
Coverage: Focus solely on Liability (third-party liability) to ensure legal compliance. Hull insurance is not necessary, as the premium cost is not justified.
📝 Checklist: 6 Steps Toward an “Unauthorized Drone-Free School”
To streamline administrative operations, here are the Standard Practice steps:
1. Data Preparation Steps (No Cost) Begin by gathering all necessary information for every drone. It is recommended to organize the data in an Excel file for convenience. The required items are:
Recording the number Serial Number of the unit and remote controller
Taking complete photos of the drone 5 angles (front, rear, left, right, top/bottom) with clearly visible details
2. Group Insurance Steps (Cost approximately 600 – 900 Baht/unit/year) Contact an insurance agent to apply for “Fleet Insurance” (group insurance) under the school's name, which will be more cost-effective than purchasing individual policies. The premium will depend on the number of units and negotiation.
3. NBTC Registration Steps (Fee 214 Baht/unit) Submit the “Telecommunications Radio Equipment Registration Application (Kho Thor 30)” through the online system AnyRegis of NBTC, using the school's legal entity documents. This step involves a license fee of 214 baht per unit (one-time payment).
4. Step to register as a “Teacher” with CAAT (no fee required) The teacher who will supervise the instruction must take an online knowledge assessment in the system. UAS Portal of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and register as a “Remote Pilot”. This step is currently free of charge.
5. Step to register the “Drone” with CAAT (no fee required) Once the pilot's name is obtained, use the drone information from Step 1 to register in the UAS Portal system. Two important documents must be attached: Insurance policy (from Step 2) and NBTC license (from Step 3). This step is also free of charge.
6. Final Step: Affixing the Registration Label (no cost) Once approval is granted, the system will issue a registration number. Print the CAAT and NBTC registration numbers as small stickers and affix them to the drone in a clearly visible location. The process is then complete and the drone is ready to fly legally.
Summary
The use of RoboMaster TT Bringing it into schools is a worthwhile intellectual investment, but it must come with responsibility.
Achieving legal compliance under the 2026 regulations is not as difficult as one might think, if the school manages it with a Systematic Approach. In addition to helping prevent legal risks and fines of hundreds of thousands of baht, it also serves to create “Safety Standards” to reassure parents, and to serve as a good role model for students in respecting rules and regulations.
Start surveying the drones in your school and take the proper steps to ensure compliance today!
