Army bans drones, warning national security is not a game

The Thai Army issued an urgent edict in the middle of last night, banning all use of drones, particularly over military zones anywhere in the country. He added that, if found, the army is authorised to destroy the devices.

Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), has tasked the country’s four regional army operations centers and ISOC regional offices with enforcing anti-drone restrictions.

Colonel Richa Suksuvanon, deputy army spokesperson, said the army considers drones flying over military zones a serious threat, with rules of engagement allowing soldiers to use weaponry to disable or destroy them.

The measures were issued after many people reported spotting drones flying over their areas, even though the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand banned drone flying throughout the country on July 29.

Veteran politician Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom visited a shelter for Thais forced to leave home to escape the border fighting in border province of Surin on August 1.

He witnessed drones flying over the shelter and reported them to police, who has also seen them, according to Warong.

Meanwhile, there are, as yet, unconfirmed reports of suspicious drone activity recently in the suburbs of Bangkok.

Richa said the enforcement of the measures requires military commanders in each province, especially in Army Regions 1 and 2, to coordinate with local civilians, the police and the private sector, to monitor and intercept drones.

A joint rapid-response team, comprising local officials, civilian and military police, will respond to any incursions. If drones are flown near the border or military sites, particularly near the frontlines in Regions 1 and 2, both ‘soft kill’ (electronic disruption) and ‘hard kill’ (direct fire) tactics are allowed.

In Army Regions 3 and 4 (north and south), the ‘soft kill’ method should be prioritised, while ‘hard kill’ is permitted if the threat escalates.

Police can use firearms, while military personnel may engage if the drone is over their base or in their zone of responsibility. Only high-precision weapons may be used, to prevent harm to civilians.

The army also launched a trilingual public awareness campaign (Thai, English and Chinese) with the slogan: "The silent threat from the sky… could be a danger to the nation."

In the campaign announcement, the army stressed that drones flying over military bases, border areas and or government sites, especially those equipped with surveillance tools, such as infrared cameras or audio devices, qualify as espionage in circumstances like these.

Prosecutions are likely under national security laws, including Section 122(3) of the Criminal Code, the Internal Security Act and the Air Navigation Act. Penalties include life imprisonment and even the death penalty if convicted.

The message warns the public not to take drone activity lightly. Anyone witnessing a suspicious drone use is urged to call the national security hotline 1374, any time of the day or night.

"National security is not a game," the statement concluded.

The CAAT’s order prohibits the operation or release of any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in any area of the country, regardless of the intent, in response to growing national security concerns along the Thai-Cambodian border.