The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has introduced a new “UAS Portal” mobile application to submit and manage drone flights in Thailand. This has been introduced alongside the relaxing of the ban on drone flights from 16th to 31st August 2025.
How to download the CAAT “UAS Portal” mobile application:
- You can download this on iOS and Android from your app store.
- The exact name is “UAS Portal”.
- You can download from the following links:
- Apple App Store (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/th/app/uas-portal/id6504277488?l=th
- Google Play Store (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delv.tracking&gl=th
- You may need to set your region to Thailand before you can find it in the app store.
How to submit a flight plan in the CAAT “UAS Portal” mobile application
- Open the application on your mobile device
- Log in with your CAAT account credentials (that you used for registering your drone on the CAAT portal website)
- To submit a flight plan:
- First select the flight area on the map
- Select a date range
- Select your registered drone and enter other flight details
- Submit your flight plan details.
- Your request will then be approved by CAAT.
- Once your flight plan is approved, you can find your planned flight in the app and press the “start flight” and “end flight” buttons in the app when you perform your actual flight.
- You must submit a flight plan at least 3 days before your planned flight.
This process is mandatory from 16 to 31st August 2025.
Step by step guide with screenshots of how to use the CAAT UAS Portal app:
Step 1: Create a new flight request and it will show a map of Thailand
Step 2: Zoom to your chosen area
Step 3: Draw a polygon around your planned flight area using the tools. You can cover a large area but it must avoid the restricted areas marked on the map.
Step 4: When you have finished drawing your polygon, click Next
Step 5: Fill in the request details. Name is just an internal reference e.g. “Phuket holiday flight”. Select Recreation, select your drone, enter 90m in the Flight Ceiling, and select the date. Start time and end time must be the same date between 06.00-18.00 so if you want to fly on multiple days you will need to submit a separate request for each day. When you are done, click Next.
Step 6: Select VLOS for flight distance and your other uses, typically Camera Drones and Aerial Photography.
Step 7: Review the guidance document (or download to read later) and accept the terms and conditions, then click Next
Step 8: Add other documents. We suggest to upload a screenshot of your CAAT pilot license and NBTC certificate to help ensure your request is approved.
Step 9: Review your flight plan details and click Save to submit to CAAT
Step 10: Your flight plan is submitted and you have to wait for approval
Step 11: You can see a list of your submitted flight plan requests and the status in the app
Step 12: Review the details of a request, here it shows an approved flight plan
Step 13: When your request is approved and you are ready to fly, go to the Flight tab and you can see your approved missions
Step 14: Open the relevant mission and you will see this screen, the shown mission is still in the future but when the time arrives you will see a “Start Flight” button. Press the “Start Flight” button when you begin your flight and “End Flight” when you are done.
Further restrictions on drone flights still apply
Please note that the recent ban on drone operations is not fully lifted, there are still further restrictions in place from 16-31 August 2025:
- Drone operations are still banned in the following provinces: Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, Trat, and Chanthaburi; plus Sattahip District (Chon Buri); Mueang District (Rayong).
- Give advance notification of your planned flight via the “UAS Portal” mobile application at least 3 days in advance.
- After receiving permission through the UAS Portal app, also notify the Anti-Drone Centre, Metropolitan Police Bureau by emailing them at [email protected]
- Before commencing a flight, access the UAS Portal application then press the “Start Flight” button and “End Flight” button when your flight is complete.
- It may also be possible to submit your flight plan via the CAAT website portal.
All normal guidelines should also still be observed, these include;
- Maximum height 90 metres
- Daytime flights only (6am-6pm)
- Must maintain visual line of sight (VLOS), no using FPV/cameras for navigation
For special permission or any questions you can contact CAAT directly at:
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)
For drone and pilot registration and flight regulation compliance
Address: 222 Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 28, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 568 8851
Email: [email protected]
For special operations: [email protected]
Website: www.caat.or.th
Drone Registration Portal: https://uasportal.caat.or.th
We will keep you informed with further updates.
