Drone Registration Guide 2026: NBTC & CAAT Filing in 5 Steps (with Document Checklist)

Q: If my drone insurance expires, does my CAAT permit become invalid?

Yes, immediately! The CAAT permit conditions clearly state that the operator must maintain third-party liability insurance at all times while flying. If your insurance expires, your permit is no longer valid, and flying without valid insurance is illegal.

Q: Do agricultural drones require a Remote Pilot Licence?

For general agricultural drones, the Drone Operator Registration Certificate (from the CAAT registration process) is currently sufficient. A Remote Pilot Licence is required only for specialized, high-risk operations.

Q: I bought a second-hand drone — what do I need to do?

You must obtain an ownership transfer document from the previous owner and submit it to update the records at the NBTC. For the insurance, you must notify the insurance company to endorse the policy and change the insured name to yours before submitting the application.

🚨 Critical 2026 Rules You Must Know:

Once you own a drone, you must register with the NBTC within 30 days: (violation = fine up to 40,000 THB / imprisonment up to 2 years)
You must not fly before receiving CAAT approval: insurance is mandatory and you must wait for the permit (violation = fine up to 40,000 THB / imprisonment up to 1 year)

The drone industry, especially agricultural drones, is growing incredibly fast. Many people buy one hoping to offer crop-spraying services, but forget that "a drone is not a toy" — it is an aircraft that requires a permit before taking off!

The most common questions new drone pilots face are: "Where do I register? What are NBTC and CAAT? What documents do I need?" This article from PrakanEV summarizes the latest 2026 process in a step-by-step walkthrough. Read this and you'll sail through your application!

1. Comparison Table: NBTC vs. CAAT
2. Document Checklist — Everything You Must Prepare
3. Drone Insurance Requirements as Mandated by Law
4. How to Register with the NBTC (Radio Communications Equipment)
5. How to Register with the CAAT (Drone Operator)
Penalties for Failing to Register
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Comparison Table: NBTC vs. CAAT — What's the Difference? 🤔

Many people mistakenly think you only need to register in one place. In reality, Thai law requires registration with two agencies because each oversees a different aspect. This table will make it clear instantly:

Topic	NBTC	CAAT
Purpose	Regulates radio signal frequencies (remote controller)	Regulates aviation standards (safety)
Who must register?	All drones (even toy drones with cameras)	Drones with cameras, or drones weighing over 2 kg (agricultural drones fall squarely in this category)
What you receive	License to possess, use, and operate radio communications equipment	Drone Operator Registration Certificate
License Validity Period	For the entire operational lifespan of that specific drone	2 years (must be renewed, and insurance must remain active without gaps)

2. Document Checklist — Everything You Must Prepare 📋

Before logging into the system, take photos or scan these documents and keep them on your phone or computer. (Every copy must be certified as true.)

Personal Documents (Owner / Operator):

National ID card (must not be expired)
House registration document (the page with your name)
Passport-style photo (light background, no hat or sunglasses)

Drone Documents:

Receipt or tax invoice (with the buyer's name matching the ID card)
Full photo of the drone
Photo of the drone's Serial Number (S/N)
Photo of the remote controller's Serial Number

⚠️ Common Mistake: The purchase receipt must show the full name matching the person registering. If it's a generic cash bill with no name, the system will likely reject it.

3. Drone Insurance Requirements as Mandated by Law 🛡️

You cannot complete CAAT registration at all without a valid "Third-Party Liability Insurance Policy." The law clearly states:

"You must have insurance that covers damage to life, body, and property of third parties, with coverage of no less than 1,000,000 THB per incident."

PrakanEV recommends: Don't rush to submit your CAAT application until you have the insurance policy schedule page in hand, because you need to upload it into the system. (If you're using an agricultural drone, we recommend buying a plan that also covers the drone itself — repairs are very expensive.)

4. How to Register with the NBTC (Radio Communications Equipment) 📡

This can be done entirely through the NBTC online system (Anywhere Registration). The fee is 214 THB (VAT included).

Go to the website: https://anywhere.nbtc.go.th
Register for an account and log in (you can verify your identity via the ThaID app).
Select the menu "Radio Communications License Application" > "Drone"
Enter the drone's details (brand, model, S/N) and upload photos of the drone + the receipt.
Wait for the officer to review and then pay the fee.
Print the license (Form Por.72) and keep it.

5. How to Register with the CAAT (Drone Operator) ✈️

Once you have your insurance policy and your NBTC license, it's time to tackle the civil aviation side. There is no fee!

Go to the CAAT UAS system: https://uav.caat.or.th
Register and create a user account.
Select the registration type (most will be "Individual" or "Agriculture").
Fill in your personal details and drone information.
Most important: Upload your insurance policy (the coverage start date must match the date you intend to begin flying).
Confirm the application and wait for officer approval (takes approximately 7–15 business days).

Penalties for Failing to Register (This Is Real — Not a Scare Tactic) ⚖️

Failure to register with NBTC (within 30 days of purchase): Imprisonment up to 5 years, or fine up to 100,000 THB, or both.
Flying without a CAAT permit: Imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine up to 40,000 THB, or both.
Flying without insurance (or with lapsed insurance): Violation of civil aviation law — your permit is revoked immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

If my drone insurance expires, does my permit become invalid?

Yes, immediately! The CAAT permit conditions clearly state that "the operator must maintain third-party liability insurance at all times while flying." If your insurance expires, your permit is no longer valid — flying without it is illegal.

Do agricultural drones require a Remote Pilot Licence?

For general agricultural drones, the "Drone Operator Registration Certificate" (from Step 5 above) is currently sufficient. A Remote Pilot Licence is required only for specialized, high-risk operations.

I bought a second-hand drone — what do I need to do?

You must obtain an "ownership transfer document" from the previous owner and submit it to update the records at the NBTC. For the insurance, you must notify the insurance company to endorse the policy and change the insured name to yours before submitting the application.

Summary: Drone registration is not difficult, but it is "essential." The most important starting point is having a valid "insurance policy" that meets legal requirements.

If you don't want the headache of dealing with insurance, don't know which provider to choose, or are worried your application will be rejected — let PrakanEV handle it for you. We have insurance plans specifically designed for drone registration.

🚀 Check Drone Insurance Premiums (Registration-Ready)

Want to see the real options? Browse EV insurance for every brand we cover, with starting premiums for each model, on the PrakanEV homepage.