FPV & DJI Avata 2 Drone Registration Thailand 2026: Permits & Insurance

FPV (First-Person View) drones, especially popular models like the DJI Avata and DJI FPV, are hugely popular among action photographers and thrill-seekers. However, because FPV drones fly at high speed (over 100 km/h) and the pilot must wear FPV Goggles, Thai law imposes especially strict control measures.DJI Avata 2

1. Do FPV drones & the DJI Avata 2 need to be registered?

The answer is: you must register 100% with both agencies (the NBTC and CAAT). Because every FPV drone model is equipped with a camera and is flown using Goggles for the camera's live view, violations carry a penalty of up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.

2. Steps and required documents to register an FPV / Avata 2

3. Why are FPV drones regulated more strictly than regular drones?

The reason is not the aircraft's weight, but that FPV drones fly at speeds over 100 km/h and the pilot wears Goggles and sees only the view from the camera, so the risk of colliding with people, pets, power lines or structures is much higher than for drones flown within normal visual line of sight.Flight characteristicsCannot see the surrounding environment with the naked eye

For this reason, CAAT requires having someone standing beside you to watch the drone with the naked eye and warn of obstacles throughout the flight — flying FPV alone without a Spotter violates the conditions, even if you have completed every registration.Visual Observer / Spotter

4. Comparison table: FPV vs regular drones — what must be done differently

5. Insurance for FPV: why you should choose a plan that includes hull coverage

FPV drones have a significantly higher crash and collision rate than ordinary drones, because they fly fast and in areas with limited visibility. Third-party insurance with coverage of 1,000,000 baht is something that , and exists to protect other people — butLegally requiredDoes not cover your own aircraft

Therefore, for FPV we recommend the Premium package, which adds hull insurance covering 100% of the damage above the deductible (10% of the purchase price). The Air / Mavic / Avata / FPV group has the highest hull coverage limits. Read the details of the differences at70,000 THBWhat is the difference between third-party insurance and hull insurance?

6. FPV flight rules you must know by heart

• A Spotter is required: Flying solo while wearing Goggles without a Visual Observer = violating CAAT conditions.
• Altitude no more than 90 m (300 feet) above the ground
• At least 30 meters from people/structures
• No flying within a 9 km radius of airports — especially important for FPV, because it flies fast and goes out of range before you realize it. See Drone no-fly zones in Thailand
• No flying over communities or crowds Even if it is a commercial shoot
• No night flying Unless special permission is granted

Violations carry a maximum penalty of 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of not more than 100,000 baht, or both, under the Radio Communication Act and the Civil Aviation Act. Read the details at Penalties and fines for flying an unregistered drone

7. Buying a second-hand DJI Avata 2 — what else do you need to do?

Used FPV drones require more precautions than ordinary drones, because the Serial Numbers of the aircraft, the controller and the Goggles must match those recorded in the system. If the previous owner has not yet cancelled the registration, you cannot submit the same Serial Numbers under your own name — the seller must first endorse the transfer of rights, after which you file a new registration in your name and arrange an insurance policy in the name of the new policyholder.

Detailed transfer steps, read at Transferring ownership of a second-hand drone

8. Common mistakes made by FPV pilots

• Incomplete Serial Number declaration: Forgetting the Goggles, which are radio equipment that must also be declared
• Flying without a Spotter: It is the offense that is easiest to detect, because it is clearly visible from the outside.
• Only getting third-party insurance: But when the drone crashes on its own, it is not covered
• Being careless about the airport radius: FPV can cover a very wide area in a short time
• Flying over crowds to shoot events: Even with a commercial license, flying over people is not allowed

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the DJI Avata 2 need to be registered with both the NBTC and the CAAT?

You must register with both agencies 100%, because every FPV drone model has a camera, which is mandated by Thai law regardless of the aircraft's weight. The NBTC oversees radio frequencies (file via anyregis.nbtc.go.th, fee 214 THB) and CAAT oversees the pilot and the aircraft, and you must also have third-party liability insurance of not less than 1,000,000 THB.

Is it really true that FPV flying requires a friend standing by to watch?

True — because the pilot wearing Goggles can only see the camera feed and is unaware of the surrounding environment, CAAT requires a Visual Observer (or Spotter) to watch the drone with the naked eye and give warnings about obstacles at all times. Flying solo without a Spotter violates the conditions, even if every registration is complete.

Do I have to declare the Serial Number of the Goggles too?

Yes, you must declare it, because an FPV set consists of multiple devices that transmit and receive radio waves. Registration with the NBTC must therefore list the Serial Numbers of the drone, the remote controller, and the Goggles — every single unit. If the declaration is incomplete, the license will not cover the equipment you actually use, and you risk being considered as using unregistered equipment.

Should FPV get hull insurance too, or is third-party coverage enough?

We recommend having both. Third-party liability insurance with coverage of 1,000,000 THB is a legal requirement and only protects against damage caused to others — it does not cover your own aircraft. Meanwhile, FPV drones fly at speeds over 100 km/h and have a higher crash rate than general drones, so RRCT's Premium package adds hull insurance with 100% coverage, up to 70,000 THB, for the Air / Mavic / Avata / FPV series, with a deductible of 10% of the purchase price.

Where can FPV fly, and where is it prohibited?

Flying is prohibited within a 9 km radius of airports or temporary airfields, royal palace grounds, and military and government zones, including flying over communities or crowds, and night flying is prohibited unless special permission is granted. You must keep the altitude at no more than 90 m and stay at least 30 m away from uninvolved persons, property, or vehicles. Before every flight, always check no-fly zones via CAAT's DronePortal or an aviation map app.