Drone photography is all the rage nowadays! Everyone from hobbyists to professionals use these devices to capture the world in a unique, dream-like manner as the popularity of drone photography Instagram accounts like DroneHeroes and From Where I Drone exemplify. Although bringing a drone to document your travels would be ideal, drones are still unmanned flying vehicles that bring with them various ethical and security concerns. Here’s a consolidated list of the drone laws in Asia so that you can capture beautiful footage while staying on the right side of the law.

Here’s an in-depth look at the drone laws of the various countries in Asia that do allow the operation of drones in alphabetical order.

• Cambodia
• China
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Vietnam

Disclaimer: *Drone laws are constantly changing. Our last update was [January 2017]. If you would like notifications on drone laws you can sign up for drone law notifications here.

Cambodia

Drone use in Cambodia is allowed, but under the following conditions:

• • Drones are banned from the capital city, Phnom Penh
  • All drone flyers must receive permission to fly drones elsewhere, which can be obtained by contacting the Cambodia Aviation Authority
  • Must fly in the day and in good weather conditions
  • Not permitted to fly over crowds or large gatherings
  • Not permitted to fly drones near airports or where aircraft are operating

Contact Information 

Call: (855-23) 211 019
Email: sengvany@camnet.com.kh

China

Drone use in China is allowed, but under the following conditions:

• • Regulations in China divide drones into 7 classes according to weight, all of which requires a permit from the Civil Aviation Administration of China Flight Standards Division. Permits may be difficult to get.
  • Any drone weighing over 116kg requires a pilots license and UAV certification for operation
  • Not permitted to fly drones near airports or where aircraft are operating
  • Be careful when flying over people or built-up areas
  • Restrictions are much looser in rural or less populated areas, but much stricter in cities like Beijing or Shanghai
    • Refrain from flying your drone at Behai Park, or near the Forbidden City and other major monuments (don’t fly it within the first or second ring of the city)

Contact Information

Info: www.caac.gov.cn

Hong Kong

Drone use in Hong Kong is allowed, but under the following conditions:

• • All drones under 7kg can be flown without a permit, but once it is above 7kg, an air permit is required from the Civil Aviation Department
  • Drones must be flown below 300 ft at all times
  • Avoid flying drones in the vicinity of an airport and areas where aircraft are operating, including:
    • • Hong Kong International Airport
      • North Lantau Coastal Area
      • Coastal areas from ai Lam Chung to Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi Island,
      • Coastal areas at both sides of the Victoria Harbour and Shek Kong area.
  • Only fly your drone during daylight hours and in good weather conditions,
  • Avoid flying drones over crowded/congested areas and near installations that could present a risk to safety if damaged
  • Ensure safety of flying site by:
    • Making sure it is clear of vessels, vehicles, structures, power sources or people
    • Making sure it is flat to ensure safe landing and take off
  • Recommended areas of flying drone include:
    • Tai Tong in Yuen Long
    • Nam Sang Wai in Yuen Long
    • Tate’s Cairn in Sha Tin
    • Tseung Kwan O in Sai Kung
    • Clear Water Bay Peninsula area in Sai Kung

Contact Information

Call: 2910 6627
Email: uas@cad.gov.hk
Info: http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/

Indonesia
Drone use in Indonesia is allowed under these conditions:

• • If you wish to fly your drone above 492 ft (150 meters), a permit is required from the Indonesian Aviation Authority for each drone flight and must be obtained at least 14 days before the flight
  • Do not fly over crowded/congested areas
  • Only fly your drone during daylight hours and in good weather conditions
  • Do not fly drone over airports, near aircraft 

Contact Information 

Call: +62 8 111 004 222
Email:  hubud@dephub.go.id

Japan

Drone use in Japan is allowed under the following conditions:

1. • Have to fly your drone under 492 ft (150 meters)
   • Do not fly drones within 30m of people, building and cars, and stay away from all power lines
   • Do not fly drones over roads or over private property without permission of landowners
   • It is illegal to fly drones in these areas:
     • Less than 9 km away from airports
     • In highly populated urban areas, which includes most Japanese cities and all of Tokyo’s 23 wards for drones weighing above 200g
     • Over the Prime Minister’s Office, or within 300m of the PMO
     • Over the Imperial Palace, or within 300m of the Imperial Palace
     • Over other key facilities including nuclear power plants
     • Osaka and Tokyo have banned drone use in all parks within the city limits

A new law has been passed recently that allows law enforcement officers the right to destroy drones found in the violation of the law

Contact Information

Tel: +81-3-5253-8111
Info: www.mlit.go.jp

Laos

Drone use in Laos is allowed but under these conditions:

• • Permit must be required first from relevant authorities before flying drones
  • Do not fly drones over crowds or other congested areas
  • Do not fly drones near airports or aircraft that is operating
  • Fly drone daylight hours and in good weather conditions
  • Respect the privacy of others when flying drones

Contact Information 

Call: +856 21 250791
Email: lto@laotourism.org

Malaysia

Drone use is allowed in Malaysia, but under these conditions:

• • Not allowed to fly drones over 400 ft or 122 meters (so you can’t fly it above the Petronas!)
  • Do not fly drones near people who are not associated with the drone or large crowds
  • Fly drones in daylight hours and in good weather conditions
  • If the drone weighs more than 20kg, you have to hold a private pilot’s license, and obtain permission from the Department of Civil Aviation.

Contact Information 

Call: +60388714000
Email: webmaster@dca.gov.my

Mongolia

Drone use is allowed in Mongolia, but under these conditions:

• • Do not fly drones over crowded or congested areas
  • Do not fly drones near airports or where aircraft is operating
  • Do not fly near military installations, power plants or other key facilities that could concern local authorities
  • Respect the privacy of others when flying drone
  • Fly drones in good weather conditions and daylight hours

Contact Information 

Call: +976 11 282 051
Email: info@mcaa.gov.mn

Myanmar

Drone use is allowed but under these conditions:

• • Although legislative guidelines have yet to be drawn up, permission has to be obtained first from the Department of Civil Aviation before flying your drone
  • Do not fly drones near airports, or where aircraft is operating
  • Do not fly drones near key facilities including military installations as it can lead to a fine or imprisonment
  • Do not fly drones over crowded or congested areas
  • Respect the privacy of others when flying your drone
  • Only fly your drone in daylight hours and in good weather conditions

Contact Information 

Call: +951 533 015
Email: info@dca.gov.mm

Philippines

Drone use in Philippines is allowed but under these conditions:

• • Required to obtain a UAV Controller Certificate of Authorization before flying your drone, which can be done by contacting the Civil Aviation Authority of Philippines
  • All of those who bring drones in as plane baggage need to declare it as a luxury item and pay the accompanying taxes required.
  • Not allowed to fly your drone above 400 ft (122 meters)
  • Not allowed to fly drone within 30m of someone who is not associated with the drone
  • Do not fly your drone over crowded or congested areas
  • Respect the privacy of others when flying your drone
  • Do not fly within 10km of an airport or where aircraft is operating

Contact Information 

Call: (02) 879-9227
Email: information@mis.caap.gov.ph

Singapore

Drone use is allowed in Singapore, but only under these conditions:

• • Do not fly your drone above 200 ft
  • No permit is required for drones below 7kg, above 7kg please obtain permit from the Singapore aviation authority
  • Do not drop anything from your drone or carry any dangerous items in it including weapons, or radioactive material
  • Do not fly over crowded or congested areas
  • Maintain sufficient distance from people, aircraft and property
  • Refrain from flying over moving vehicles, especially emergency service providers as it may distract them and interfere with their operations
  • Do not fly drones and capture images of these places without a permit
    • Changi Airport
    • Singapore Istana
    • Parliament House
    • Paya Lebar Airbase
    • Military camps and installations
    • Naval dockyards

Contact Information

Satwinder Kaur (Ms)
Assistant Director (Corporate Communications)
Tel: (65) 6541 2912
Email : satwinder_kaur@caas.gov.sg

Genevieve Yeow (Ms)
Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications)
Tel: (65) 6541 2082
Email : genevieve_yeow@caas.gov.sg

Mr Tan Ming Jie
Team Leader (Public Communications Department)
Public Affairs Department
Singapore Police Force
Tel: (65) 6478 2075
Email : Tan_ming_jie@spf.gov.sg

South Korea

Drone use is allowed in South Korea, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed. These include:

• • You cannot fly higher than 492 feet (150 meters)
  • You cannot fly within 5.5km of airfields or in areas where aircraft are operating
  • You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
  • Avoid flying over people and respect privacy of others when flying your drone
  • You cannot fly near Seoul Plaza, crowded areas, military installations, power plants, or areas of facilities related to national security
  • You cannot fly when there is low visibility or yellow dust

Contact Information

Call: +82 44 201 4251
Email: fsdiv01@korea.kr

Thailand

It is now confirmed that in Thailand drone pilots must register for an RPA license if a camera is installed and your drone is over 2kgs.the controller shall submit an application for registration to the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (for what you need see Article 8 of this document). Drone use is allowed in Thailand, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed. These include:

• • The drones must be under 25 kgs.
  • Drone (RPAs) with cameras must be registered with no exceptions.
  • The controller or launcher must be older than 20 years of age (if the controller is flying for a hobby, entertainment or sport) or be accompanied by a legal guardian. The controller must comply with the provided terms in the Notification. This comprises, among others, that they do not fly the UAV over 90 meters (300 feet) above the ground; do not fly within 30 meters (100 feet) of people, vehicles, construction sites, or buildings; and do not infringe on the privacy of others. They must also get permission from the owner of the land.
  • Current regulations only prohibit drones from flying over military installations, palaces, and parks in Bangkok
  • A valid work permit is required for any drone use that is commercial in nature
  • You should maintain visual contact with your drone at all times
  • Keep your drone away from airports, sensitive areas and restricted airspace
  • Respect the privacy of others and avoid flying over people or over crowded areas

More details here.

Contact Information

To contact CAAT : The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
333/105 Lak Si Plaza,
Khamphaeng Phet 6 Rd.,Talat Bang Khen,
Lak Si, Bangkok 10210

Tel: +66 (0) 2568-8800

E-Mail : info@caat.or.th

Vietnam

Drone use is allowed in Vietnam, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed. These include the following:

• • You must first apply for and receive a permit to operate a drone in Vietnam. You can apply for a permit by contacting the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (website in Vietnamese).
  • You cannot fly over people not associated with the operation of the drone or over large crowds
  • Respect others privacy when flying your drone in Vietnam
  • You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
  • Do not fly your drone near airports or in any area were aircraft are operating

Contact Information 

Call: +84-69.696154
Email: info@mod.gov.vn

And if you are still on the fence about getting your own, check out this article with a comparison of the best drones for travel.