Singaporean drone photographer faces up to one year in goal in Thailand
Earlier this month as originally reported by The Straits Times, a Singaporean tourist was apprehended in Thailand on August 7 for illegally operating a drone.
The individual, identified as a 44-year-old man with the surname Goh, was reportedly flying a drone in Pattaya's Walking Street area around 12:20 a.m. His objective, he explained to officers through a translator, was to take high-angle photographs of the street's vibrant nightlife.
And often the culprits are tourists who fein ignorance of local laws. Image: Tim Levy
Thai police confirmed that the man did not possess the required license to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The incident comes after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand instituted a nationwide ban on all drone flights on July 30, citing elevated national security concerns amid tensions with neighbouring Cambodia.
Thailand's aviation authorities have stated that the nationwide ban on drone flights will remain in effect until at least August 15, 2025, or until a new decision is made. In a strict measure to enforce the ban, military officers have been authorized to shoot down any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) found in violation.
Those who break the Air Navigation Act could face a fine of up to 40,000 baht (approximately S$1,600) and a potential one-year prison sentence.
This isn't the first such incident. Just a few days earlier, on August 3, a Swedish tourist was also detained for flying a drone near a Pattaya beach. According to the Thai media outlet Khaosod, the tourist was released with a warning, but his drone was confiscated.
Australian fined $1,650 from CASA
An 18-year-old Australian photographer learned an expensive lesson after being fined $1,650 for illegally flying his drone over Sydney Harbour to take this image.
On February 6, 2025, the photographer, known on Instagram as @hirokirulephoto, used his drone to capture an image of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, he was operating within restricted airspace, a violation of Australia’s strict aviation regulations enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
After being reported by onlookers, the photographer was questioned by authorities. He attempted to claim his drone was controlled by AI, a story that was quickly dismissed. The incident resulted in a hefty fine for "trespassing and restricted airspace infringement."
You can read more about CASA drone safety rules here.