Thai government agencies have joined forces to promote the commercial use of drones for air transport and delivery innovations.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob on Wednesday presided over the launch of “The New Era of Drone Delivery” event at National Telecom (NT) headquarters in Bangkok.
The two ministries are working with state-owned NT and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on the initiative.
Mr Phiphat said the partnership is a milestone in modernising Thailand’s air transport system for the digital age.
“Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are becoming a new backbone of logistics, enabling faster delivery of parcels, medicines, and essential goods, particularly in remote areas where ground transport is limited,” he said.
He said technological development must progress alongside clear, up-to-date regulations to ensure safety, transparency and accountability.
The Transport Ministry called on the CAAT to establish safety and security standards before drones are allowed for commercial use in public spaces, with the aim of preventing illegal activities such as drug trafficking.
Mr Phiphat said drone technology will play a vital role in building a smart transport ecosystem, enhancing people’s quality of life, cutting business costs, and driving sustainable national growth under a transparent and secure framework.
He said the partnership marks the beginning of a “National Drone Ecosystem”, integrating cooperation from the government, state enterprises, and the private sector to set robust standards for safe, transparent, and beneficial use in healthcare, logistics, agriculture, and public services, fostering a sustainable digital economy.
Mr Chaichanok said the collaboration showcases the integration between digital and transport infrastructure that will pave the way for the transition to “smart mobility”.
He said NT has developed an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) platform and a communication network on the 700 MHz band for real-time drone tracking.