Thai Police Tighten Drone Security After Airport Sightings

The Royal Thai Police intensified drone surveillance near airports after sightings prompted security measures, urging public cooperation for reporting suspicious activities and utilizing a structured response strategy.

Key Points

• The Royal Thai Police are enhancing measures to counter drone threats near Suvarnabhumi Airport following several reported sightings from December 20-23. Airspace surveillance has been increased, with a meeting focused on drone security led by Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet.
• A three-part strategy targeting prevention, investigation, and security is being implemented, including strict enforcement of No-Fly Zone regulations around critical infrastructures like Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
• The public is encouraged to observe and report suspicious drone activity by recording video evidence and contacting authorities via the 191 emergency hotline or the Anti-Drone Center at 02-126-7846.

The Royal Thai Police has stepped up measures to prevent potential threats from unmanned aerial vehicles, increasing airspace surveillance and calling for public cooperation after multiple drone sightings were reported near Suvarnabhumi Airport between December 20 and 23.

Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, presided over a meeting on drone security, according to Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjamnong, assistant commissioner-general and police spokesperson. Heightened monitoring is now in place around both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

Authorities are implementing a three-part strategy covering prevention, investigation, and security, including strict enforcement of No-Fly Zone regulations around critical areas.

Police units are operating under an “Observe–Screen–Report” model, using object-screening applications and immediately relaying information to the Metropolitan Police Drone Center, which coordinates rapid-response teams to intercept suspicious devices. Data from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and flight authorization records from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand are also being used to classify and verify drone activity.

The public has been urged to assist by carefully observing any object suspected to be a drone, recording at least one minute of video evidence, and promptly reporting the information via the 191 emergency hotline or the Anti-Drone Center for Remotely Piloted Aircraft at 02-126-7846.

Source : Thai Police Tighten Drone Security After Airport Sightings