Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai Tourist Drone Permit Guide 2026: Rules & Fast-Track

Famous tourist destinations in Thailand are popular hotspots for aerial photographers. However, these areas contain numerous airports, national parks, and royal palace grounds. Flying a drone without permission may result in immediate arrest and confiscation of equipment.Phuket, Ko Samui, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya, and Ko Phangan

1. Precautions at Major Tourist Attractions

• Phuket: Do not fly within a 9 km radius of Phuket Airport (HKT). Aerial photography at Mai Khao Beach near the runway threshold is strictly forbidden, and beaches inside Sirinath National Park require prior permission from the park authority.
• Koh Samui: Ko Samui has Samui Airport (USM) located in the north, and most of the area adjoins controlled airspace. You must check GPS coordinates before every flight.
• Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai): Chiang Mai city adjoins the Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) zone and contains royal palace grounds and security zones. Flying in the Old City area is strictly prohibited.
• National Parks: Flying drones in Phi Phi, Similan, and Doi Inthanon National Parks requires separate approval from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, in addition to CAAT.

Summary table of flying zones by destination

Basic flight rules that must be followed

Even when flying in permitted areas, you must fly no higher than 90 meters (300 feet), during daytime only, keep the drone in visual line of sight at all times, stay at least 30 meters away from people and structures, and never fly over crowds or highways with heavy traffic. A full summary of the rules is in the article. Thai Drone Law Made Easy to Understand

How to check no-fly areas before flying

1. Use the official channels: Check via the CAAT app or the UAS Portal, which show a real-time no-fly zone map. See all 6 types in the article Drone no-fly zones in Thailand
2. Using the app paired with the drone: DJI Fly or AirMap have a GEO Zone system that automatically locks out takeoff in prohibited zones.
3. Watch for signs and ask officials: Public parks, resorts, temples, or private property — you must ask the landowner's permission first

2. How to get a fast-track tourist drone flying permit (Fast-Track for Tourists)

Tourists visiting Thailand who want to fly camera drones should prepare and submit documents at least 5-7 business days in advance, including passport, visa, drone photos, serial number and a Thai SIM card.

Tourist document checklist

• Copy of the passport's personal information page
• A visa or entry stamp that has not yet expired
• A Thai phone number SIM card for receiving the OTP code (foreign numbers cannot be used)
• Photos of the complete drone, plus photos of the Serial Number on the aircraft and the remote controller
• A third-party insurance policy of not less than 1,000,000 THB (foreign policies must be translated into English or Thai).
• Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel booking confirmation

On timing: NBTC usually takes only a few days, but CAAT can take 15–20 working days. Thai law does not allow flying without registration even for a single day, so you should start the process before travelling, and permission requests for special areas must be filed at least 15–30 days in advance. Read the full steps in the article. Can foreigners fly drones in Thailand?

Penalties for violations

Law enforcement in tourist areas has become stricter, with a Track & Trace system via the UAS Portal detecting unregistered drones. Violators of CAAT rules face imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of up to 40,000 baht, while on the NBTC side, up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. There was a case of a tourist flying near Phuket airport whose drone was seized and who was blacklisted from entering the country. Read the case study in the article. Penalties and fines for flying a drone without registration in Thailand

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Only visiting for a few days — can I register a drone in time?

Thai law does not allow flying without registration even for a single day, and CAAT approval may take 15–20 business days, so you should send your documents to RRCT to prepare and file in advance before you travel.

Can drone insurance from your own country be used?

It may be acceptable, provided it covers third parties in Thailand at not less than 1,000,000 THB (about 30,000 USD) and is translated into English or Thai — but most tourists prefer buying a Thai policy because it is simpler.

Can you fly a drone in national parks such as Phi Phi or Doi Inthanon?

Not everywhere is prohibited, but you must obtain written permission from the head of the national park before every flight. This is separate from CAAT, and some parks strictly prohibit flying so as not to disturb wildlife.

How do you check whether the spot you plan to fly is a no-fly zone?

Check via the CAAT app or UAS Portal, together with DJI Fly or AirMap which have the GEO Zone system, and watch for signs in the area. For resorts, temples or private property, you must ask the owner's permission first.

How severe are the penalties for flying a drone in a no-fly zone?

This is an offense under the Air Navigation Act, punishable by up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both. The drone may be seized immediately, and foreigners may have their visa revoked and be deported.