Drone ban may be eased for agricultural use

The nationwide ban on flying drones may be relaxed for agriculture-related applications in certain areas during daylight hours, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the ad hoc centre for the Thai-Cambodian situation, said today.

The Thai government has prohibited drone flights until at least August 15 for security reasons, amid tensions with Cambodia.

The ban was announced after there were suspicious drone sightings, particularly at night, near government institutions, including military bases along the Thai-Cambodian border, and even as far as the suburbs of Bangkok.

Thai law enforcement are authorised to shoot down any suspicious drones that violate the ban.

Rear Admiral Surasant said discussions are underway regarding the potential relaxation of the ban on the use of drones for agricultural purposes after August 15, as many farmers are facing difficulties due to their inability to use drones in their work.

Both the drones and their operators would, however, be required to be properly registered, as mandated by law, and flights would only be permitted between 6am and 6pm.

Furthermore, all drone sales would also need to be registered with the authorities, Surasant added.

According to Channel 7, despite the ban, security officials and local residents continue to report multiple sightings of drones flying above various areas of Prachin Buri province.

Drones were recently spotted in Prachin Buri province.

These drones have been observed circling repeatedly for four consecutive nights.

Drones have also been reported in other provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Surin, all provinces that were attacked by Cambodian troops during the five-days of armed conflict.