Thailand Pushes Forward with Drone Industry Expansion, Eyes Urban Delivery Trials by 2025

BANGKOK — The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is advancing plans to promote the country’s drone industry, aiming to integrate public and private sectors for delivery drone trials by 2025.

Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, CAAT Director, highlighted the agency’s dual role in both regulating and promoting the efficient use of drone technology. He pointed to the development of the UAS Portal system, an online platform designed to streamline drone operator and drone registrations, while also offering comprehensive operational guidance and future drone airspace management capabilities.

Manat revealed that CAAT is collaborating with various sectors to create a national “Drone Master Plan.” This comprehensive roadmap addresses policies, legislation, infrastructure readiness, personnel development, safety standards, national security, and personal data protection.

Starting this year, CAAT will certify training centers and drone pilot courses aimed at cultivating skilled professionals with expertise in aviation, law, and the safe deployment of drones.

Additionally, CAAT is working with key organizations—including National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT), Thailand Post, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other government and private agencies—to lay the groundwork for urban delivery drone trials in the Bangkok metropolitan area.

The trials are expected to pave the way for the issuance of delivery drone licenses to qualified operators, marking a significant milestone for Thailand’s emerging drone economy.