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<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDrones registered in Thailand are about to face the biggest regulatory change in 6 years, as the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) opens public consultation on 4 new draft regulations at once \u2014 covering everything from registration and radar systems to satellite-based flight \u2014 with comments due by July 3, 2026.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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This article breaks down who each draft affects \u2014 whether you're a hobbyist pilot flying photography drones on weekends, an agricultural operator wanting to fly BVLOS across fields, or an equipment importer who needs legal clarity before ordering a new batch of stock.<\/p>\r\n
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A single drone falls under the oversight of two agencies<\/strong> at the same time, which often confuses everyday users. Each agency's responsibilities are clearly divided as follows:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Complications arise when these two dimensions overlap. A clear example is flying beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)<\/strong> Even if the spectrum used already meets NBTC standards, operators still need a separate CAAT permit before actually flying the drone \u2014 passing one checkpoint doesn't mean passing every checkpoint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The regulations issued in 2020 were designed mainly for short-range photography drones, which reflected the usage patterns of that era well. But the drone industry landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, drones are used in agriculture for spraying and surveying farmland, for surveying terrain in remote areas, and in rescue missions to help disaster victims.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n These expanded uses bring entirely more complex spectrum requirements than before \u2014 whether it's connecting via mobile networks for remote control, using satellite signals for BVLOS missions, or advanced radar systems for automatic obstacle avoidance. These are all technologies that the 2020 regulations never covered.<\/strong> This has left operators and importers facing ongoing legal uncertainty. The 4 new draft regulations that the NBTC has opened for public comment until July 3, 2026 are a direct attempt to close these gaps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n This draft is the core of the reform, as it covers every group of drone users. Its main content is making the spectrum that drones on the market already use more legally compliant, andallowing BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flight via mobile networks and satellite for the first time under Thai law.<\/strong> However, BVLOS flight still requires a separate CAAT permit. There's also a major overhaul of the process for registering a drone's radio communication equipment \u2014 meaning registering the frequency transceiver equipment built into the drone specifically with the NBTC, not registering the drone itself with CAAT as many people assume. See the comparison table below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As for Remote ID systems, which have drones broadcast identification signals while flying, this is not yet mandatory but is likely to become required in the future. Anyone about to buy a new drone should choose a model that supports Remote ID in advance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The old rule, issued in 2021, only supported one type of radar technology, leaving newer drones with automatic obstacle-avoidance systems \u2014 such as the DJI Mavic 3 or new agricultural drones with built-in obstacle avoidance \u2014 in a legal gray area all along. This draft solves the problem by adding radar categories to cover the technology currently used in the global market. Importers and sellers of drones with this system must obtain NBTC certification before offering them for sale.<\/strong> Importing and selling without going through this process is illegal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This is an entirely new regulation with no prior precedent in Thai law, created to support the satellite-based BVLOS flight that Draft 1 opens the door to. Previously, Thailand had no central standard for satellite equipment on drones at all, leaving operators wanting to use satellite-connected drones unsure whether their equipment was legal. This draft requires satellite equipment on drones to meet the same international standards used in Europe and the United States. Operators planning satellite-based BVLOS flights must check whether their equipment already meets this standard.<\/strong> If it doesn't meet the standard, it cannot be imported or used in Thailand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n This final draft acts as the glue that ties the whole set of regulations together, officially adding drones and drone radar systems to the list of generally permitted frequencies, which helpsreduce confusion for importers and sellers<\/strong>who previously had to interpret the rules themselves to figure out which equipment qualified for permission. The first thing to do is check the registration status of your drone's radio communication equipment with the NBTC, which is separate from registering the drone with CAAT. If you've already registered, no further action is needed, because itcarries over automatically.<\/strong> But if you've never registered, you have 90 days after the regulation takes effect<\/strong> to complete the process correctly. What's changed is the timeframe \u2014 there's no longer a 30-day grace period. Anyone buying a new drone must register it immediately upon taking possession, and if a drone is transferred to someone else, the old registration must be canceled and a new one made immediately as well. Also, if you're about to buy a new drone, you should consider choosing a model that supports Remote ID<\/strong> in advance \u2014 because even though it's not mandatory now, there's a clear trend toward it becoming a mandatory requirement in the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This group faces both impact and opportunity at once. The draft regulations open the door to BVLOS flight via mobile signal and satellite for the first time under Thai law. However, getting NBTC approval for spectrum use alone isn't enough \u2014 a separate permit is still required from CAAT<\/strong> for actual flight operations. Anyone planning to use satellite connectivity for BVLOS flight must check that the drone's satellite equipment meets the international standards set out in Draft 3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This group clearly faces a heavier burden \u2014 but on the flip side, Draft 4's updated list of generally permitted frequencies will help reduce confusion when importing products, making it clearer than before which products are legal in Thailand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Most drones on the market primarily use 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz \u2014 the same bands as Wi-Fi. The NBTC's new rules add 72 MHz for older drones and RC transmitters, 433 MHz for telemetry systems, and 920 MHz for data transmission and position reporting. In addition, obstacle-avoidance radar systems use higher frequencies in the 24 GHz, 57\u201364 GHz, and 76\u201377 GHz bands.<\/p>\r\n No further action is needed. Your existing registration remains valid automatically. You should just double-check that the information on file is still accurate and up to date.<\/p>\r\n Remote ID is a system that has drones broadcast identification and location signals while flying \u2014 like a license plate visible from the air. It's not mandatory yet, but is likely to become required in the near future, so you should choose a drone that supports it in advance when buying a new one.<\/p>\r\n Two things must be done together: use satellite equipment that meets the standards under Draft 3, and separately obtain BVLOS flight approval from CAAT. Meeting NBTC standards alone is not sufficient for this type of flight.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n These 4 new regulations aren't just a technical update \u2014 they reshape the legal foundation that drones in Thailand will operate under for years to come. For general users, the immediate action is to check your drone's registration status. For operators and importers, the 90 days after the regulation takes effect is a window that must be used wisely to adjust processes to meet the new standards.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n More importantly, all 4 draft regulations remain open for public comment until July 3, 2026. Submit feedback to spectrum@nbtc.go.th for Drafts 1 and 4, and standard@nbtc.go.th for Drafts 2 and 3. For further inquiries, call 02-670-8888.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\nAgency<\/th>\r\n Scope of Oversight<\/th>\r\n Relevant Examples<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n \r\n NBTC<\/strong><\/td>\r\n Radio spectrum, data transmission, equipment standards<\/td>\r\n Drone control signals, Remote ID systems, satellite equipment<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n CAAT<\/strong><\/td>\r\n Flight operations, airspace, pilot licenses<\/td>\r\n Flight paths, no-fly zones, aircraft registration<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Why the 2020 Regulations Are No Longer Enough<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA Deep Dive into the 4 Draft Regulations: Who Does Each One Affect?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Draft 1 \u2014 General Drone Spectrum (Affects Every User)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\r\n \r\nKey Point<\/th>\r\n Old Rule<\/th>\r\n New Rules<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n \r\n Registration Deadline<\/td>\r\n Within 30 days<\/td>\r\n Immediately upon possession<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Responsible for Registration<\/td>\r\n Owner<\/td>\r\n Retailer must complete it before delivery<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Drone Transfer<\/td>\r\n Not clearly specified<\/td>\r\n Cancel old registration + re-register immediately<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Fee<\/td>\r\n –<\/td>\r\n 200 baht (non-refundable)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Draft 2 \u2014 Radar and Obstacle-Avoidance Standards<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Draft 3 \u2014 Satellite Equipment Standards for Drones (Entirely New)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Draft 4 \u2014 Updated List of Generally Permitted Frequencies<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\r\n\r\n\r\n\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nImpact by User Group: What You Need to Do<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
General Drone Users \/ Hobbyist Pilots<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Operators and Commercial Pilots (BVLOS)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Drone Importers and Sellers<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\r\n \r\nKey Point<\/th>\r\n What to Do<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n \r\n General drones<\/td>\r\n Complete registration before delivering to customers<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Drones with radar \/ obstacle-avoidance systems<\/td>\r\n Obtain certification under Draft 2 before selling<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Satellite equipment for drones<\/td>\r\n Verify compliance with the international standards under Draft 3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n \r\n\u2705 Pros<\/th>\r\n \u274c Cons<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n \r\n Opens new business opportunities for BVLOS operators who had been stuck in a legal gray area for more than 6 years.<\/td>\r\n Retailers must bear the burden of registering on behalf of customers before delivery, adding steps and operating costs.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Significantly reduces confusion for importers with a much clearer list of permitted frequencies.<\/td>\r\n The non-refundable 200-baht fee, charged in every case, could add up for anyone who transfers drones frequently.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n The new satellite equipment standard brings Thailand in line with international standards, boosting its credibility at the regional level.<\/td>\r\n \u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFAQ \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n
\u2753 What Frequencies Do Drones Use?<\/h3>\r\n
\u2753 If I've Already Bought and Registered My Drone, Do I Need to Do Anything Else?<\/h3>\r\n
\u2753 What Is Remote ID, and Is It Mandatory Yet?<\/h3>\r\n
\u2753 What Do Operators Wanting to Fly BVLOS via Satellite Need to Do?<\/h3>\r\n
\u00a0<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n