Taking the drone pilot exam and registering with CAAT.

Controlling drones in Thailand is not simply a matter of having the right equipment.

Drone pilots must pass an exam and be registered with...

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirms the knowledge, understanding, and ability to fly safely in accordance with the law.

A CAAT drone pilot license is a key requirement for drone operations that pose a risk to people, property, or for commercial use.

Sample CAAT drone pilot license card Thailand

Basic qualifications for drone operators (Drone Operator Qualification)

Drone operators wishing to use drones in Thailand must meet the qualifications set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) as follows:

For individuals

Drone operators must:

They are ordinary individuals whose identities can be clearly determined according to the law.

Must be at least 20 years of age.
Never had a history of serious crime.
Not related to drugs or narcotics.
He is not a prohibited person and is not considered a threat to national security.
Possesses the ability to read and understand legal requirements and regulations regarding drone flight.
They possess knowledge of aviation safety, airspace usage, and flight limitations.
They have the ability to assess risks and manage emergencies.
We have a responsibility for the safety of individuals, property, and society as a whole.

Corporate Entity Case

If the drone is owned or possessed by a legal entity (corporate body), the following additional conditions apply:

• An authorized signatory or officially appointed representative must act on behalf of the legal entity.

• A certified copy of the company registration document and a power of attorney must be provided in accordance with CAAT requirements.

• The name of the legal entity or the responsible person must be correctly registered in the relevant drone registration system.

Relationship with NBTC and Insurance

Whether the drone is owned by an individual or a legal entity:

• The name of the drone owner or possessor must be correctly registered in the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) system.

• The name of the drone owner or operator must be properly stated in the liability insurance policy.

• In the case of a Co-Pilot, the co-pilot’s name must also be specified in the insurance policy.

Full compliance with the above requirements is a fundamental prerequisite before proceeding to the examination process, pilot license issuance, and flight permission application through the CAAT UAS Portal system.

What factors does CAAT consider when evaluating drone operators?

CAAT prioritizes "operator readiness" over simply having the drone, considering the following:

Knowledge of laws and regulations regarding drone flight.

Understanding aviation safety.
The ability to assess risks and manage emergencies.
Understanding airspace, flight path usage, and spatial limitations.
Preparedness in terms of social responsibility and security.

Who needs a CAAT Pilot License?

(Updated according to CAAT announcement, effective January 1, 2025)

From January 1, 2025 onwards.

All drone operators in Thailand must pass a knowledge test and register as pilots with the CAAT.

Whether for personal or commercial use.

New CAAT requirements (enforced).

Passing the drone pilot examination and registering with CAAT is mandatory for all drone users, subject to the following conditions:

The theoretical exam consists of 40 questions.

You must pass the exam with a score of at least 80%.

(At least 30 out of 40 items)
Upon passing the exam, you will receive a CAAT Pilot License (General Level).

This exam does not include a practical test and applies to drones weighing no more than 2 kilograms.

For flight operations under the general conditions set by CAAT.

Scope of the Examination Content (CAAT Knowledge Test)

The exam covers 5 main knowledge areas, which users can study in advance.

The UAS Portal – Knowledge Section before the exam includes:

Laws and regulations regarding drone flights in Thailand.

Flight Safety
Risk management and emergency situations.
Basic knowledge of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Use of airspace, flight areas, and flight restrictions.

caat-exam-preparation-student-computer_e

CAAT Drone Pilot License (Current)

CAAT Pilot License – General Level

For use with drones weighing up to 2 kilograms.

Flying under standard conditions.
Flying during the daytime.
Flight within visual range (VLOS)
The height must not exceed the limits set by CAAT.
Used in conjunction with obtaining flight permits through the CAAT UAS Portal.

Future direction
(Coming Soon – as announced by CAAT)

CAAT is preparing to announce Advanced/Special Operations pilot licenses.

For higher-risk or more complex applications, such as:

Drones weighing between 2–25 kilograms or more.

Flying higher than 90 meters.
Night Flight
Beyond Visual Range (BVLOS)
Specialized jobs, such as:
- Survey
- Mapping
- Structural inspection (Inspection)
- Industrial and infrastructure projects.

Examinations and training at this level.

You must complete your training at a CAAT-accredited training institution.

CAAT will announce further details in the future.

A summary for all drone users.

From 2025 onwards.

There are no exceptions when it comes to taking the drone pilot exam; it's open to all types of users.
Even though it's a small drone, weighing no more than 2 kilograms.
You must pass the CAAT Pilot License exam.
A CAAT Pilot License is valid for 2 years.
Upon expiration, renewal is required according to the terms and conditions set by CAAT.
Examination, validation, licensing, and renewal.
No fees (Free of charge)
If you do not have a valid CAAT Pilot License.
It will not be possible to process flight permit applications through the UAS Portal.

note:

Users must continuously monitor CAAT announcements at https://www.caat.or.th/front-page/ as renewal conditions or license formats may be updated in the future.