Thailand is a true paradise for drone enthusiasts, but there are clear restrictions that you should be aware of. Areas where flying is prohibited or heavily regulated include cities, military installations, airports and – most importantly – national parks. However, it is the national parks with their spectacular landscapes that are so tempting. Just take a look at Khao Sok National Park with its beautiful lake or the impressive Phang Nga Bay, which provides unforgettable aerial views of the famous James Bond Island.
Did you know that popular places such as Railey Beach and Koh Phi Phi are also part of a national park? This is exactly why you will often see signs prohibiting drones there or even be asked by rangers to show your permit. Without this official permission, you are not allowed to fly a drone there.
The good news is: once you have permission from the park administration, you can legally fly in these spectacular areas and capture the unique landscapes from a bird’s eye view. However, you can only obtain this permit if you have completed the necessary registrations with CAAT and NBTC beforehand.
In this article, I will show you step by step how to obtain this additional permit so that you can fly safely and stress-free in Thailand’s most beautiful national parks.
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Drone Registration Service Thailand
Options for Obtaining a Drone Permit for National Parks
- Visit the park administration headquarters in person to get the permit. This is usually at the visitor center or the main entrance of the national park.
- Request the permit online by asking for a form to fill out and submit via email.
Getting a Permit In-Person at the Headquarters or Visitor Center
In Khao Sok National Park, it’s particularly easy to get a permit since you’ll usually pass by the visitor center at the main entrance anyway. Based on our customers’ experiences, the staff there is very friendly and helpful – a big plus if you have questions or need assistance.
Example: Khao Sok National Park

The offices of national parks can usually be found easily on Google Maps by entering the park’s name. Alternatively, you can ask locals or look for signs on-site – they’ll surely point you in the right direction. If you want to prepare beforehand, you can also use one of the usual search engines to find information.
TIP: This is where artificial intelligence comes in handy! A simple query to the Edge Copilot provided me with a precise answer – including correcting my typo. It’s a real asset that can help you plan your drone flights more efficiently.
Example Question to Edge Copilot:
“Which national park in Thailand does Railay belong to?”
Answer from Edge Copilot:
“Railay Beach is part of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. This national park includes the Phi Phi Islands and parts of the mainland in Krabi province. Railay Beach is known for its stunning beaches, towering limestone cliffs, and diverse activities like climbing and snorkeling.”
The same search on Google returned some websites about Krabi and Khao Sok but no direct reference to the national park.
Getting a Permit Online
To obtain a permit for drone flights in a national park online, you’ll need to first request a form, fill it out, and send it back via email.
Two Ways to Request the Form:
- By phone: This can be challenging due to language barriers.
- By email: There’s a chance your request might go unanswered, so you may need to follow up by phone to ensure it’s processed.
How to Find the Email Address or Phone Number:
Below is a list of some of the more well-known national parks with their contact details. You’ll also find a link to the website of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, which includes a complete list of all national parks. Alternatively, you can use Google Maps to find the necessary information – this usually works well.
Processing Time: Allow about 5 working days for the permit to be issued.
Required Documents (for both application methods):
- The completed and signed form
- A copy of your passport
- Your NBTC and CAAT approvals
Advantages of Applying In-Person
- The permit is issued on-site, and you can take it with you immediately.
Advantages of Applying Online
- You save yourself a trip and can handle everything remotely.
Example: Surin Marine National Park

The friendly staff at the park administration can hardly speak English, but they send a form. Unfortunately, this is in Thai.
TIP: Google Translate can translate entire documents.
Example: Koh Phi Phi / Railay
This national park, which includes Koh Phi Phi and Railay, likely experiences high demand from drone pilots. Therefore, the park is well-prepared and even publishes a flowchart of the process and requirements for flying legally.

Contact Details for National Parks
Known As | Name | Phone Number | Address | |
Phi Phi and Railay | Hat Noppharat Thara – Mu Ko Phi Phi NP | phiphi_np@hotmail.com | 075661145 | Google Maps |
James Bond Island | Ao Phang Nga NP | aophangnga_np@hotmail.com | 076481188 | Google Maps |
Surin Islands | Mu Ko Surin NP | mukosurin_np5@hotmail.com | 076472145 | Google Maps |
Khao Sok | Khao Sok NP | khaosoknpks@hotmail.com | 077395139 | Google Maps |
Ang Thong near Samui | Mu Ko Ang Thong NP | np_angthong@hotmail.com | 077286025 | Google Maps |
Find a Full List of Thai National Parks (ATTENTION: This page does not appear to be accessible from outside the country. However, you can view it with a VPN from outside Thailand.)
Feel free to leave a comment with your experiences flying a drone in Thailand’s national parks.
Special thanks to Dustin Adler from ProFlyCenter for the use of the title image.
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