Thailand’s drone industry is entering a period of rapid growth, with the number of registered drones projected to exceed one million units. Applications are expanding beyond agriculture into logistics, surveying, and passenger transport. As of 2024, 27,822 drones were registered, up sharply from only a few hundred in 2015.
To manage this growth, the government is developing a comprehensive legal framework, including the country’s first Drone Act and a national Drone Master Plan. The legislation will set safety and operational standards for commercial use and is expected to take effect by 2026. The master plan covers policy, legal frameworks, workforce development, safety infrastructure, privacy protection, and supporting technologies, including AI-based permit processing, real-time flight tracking, and a fast-track licensing system.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has also partnered with National Telecom to develop a Drone Delivery System, extending drone use beyond agriculture to goods and passenger transport. A notable development is the EH216-S passenger drone, tested by local companies in preparation for future Air Taxi services in tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.
The initiative positions Thailand as a pioneer in Urban Air Mobility in Southeast Asia and signals a transformative phase for the country’s aviation sector. Authorities emphasize that urban flight zones, unmanned air traffic management, privacy, and public awareness remain key challenges. Thailand’s drone expansion aims to create a regulated and standards-driven environment that supports commercial operations while enhancing safety, efficiency, and long-term transport and logistics capabilities.
(Source: The Nation)
