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.
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. To learn about everything drone visit this Drone School.
Drone use in Cambodia is allowed, but under the following conditions:
Contact Information
Call: (855-23) 211 019 Email: sengvany@camnet.com.kh
Drone use in China is allowed, but under the following conditions:
Info: www.caac.gov.cn
Drone use in Hong Kong is allowed, but under the following conditions:
Call: 2910 6627 Email: uas@cad.gov.hk Info: http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/
Call: +62 8 111 004 222 Email: hubud@dephub.go.id
Drone use in Japan is allowed under the following conditions:
A new law has been passed recently that allows law enforcement officers the right to destroy drones found in the violation of the law
Tel: +81-3-5253-8111 Info: www.mlit.go.jp
Drone use in Laos is allowed but under these conditions:
Call: +856 21 250791 Email: lto@laotourism.org
Drone use is allowed in Malaysia, but under these conditions:
Call: +60388714000 Email: webmaster@dca.gov.my
Drone use is allowed in Mongolia, but under these conditions:
Call: +976 11 282 051 Email: info@mcaa.gov.mn
Drone use is allowed but under these conditions:
Call: +951 533 015 Email: info@dca.gov.mm
Drone use in Philippines is allowed but under these conditions:
Call: (02) 879-9227 Email: information@mis.caap.gov.ph
Drone use is allowed in Singapore, but only under these conditions:
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
Drone use is allowed in South Korea, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed. These include:
Call: +82 44 201 4251 Email: fsdiv01@korea.kr
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:
More details here.
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
Drone use is allowed in Vietnam, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed. These include the following:
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.
Sharing getaway and itinerary ideas in Asia and insider knowledge of Singapore
Your article is very useful for all traveler drone pilot. But need to update the law & regulation frequently. Such as Thailand drone’s regulation are now conirm that : RPA to be registered – RPA with camera installed must be registered with no exceptions. – RPA over 2 KGs must be registered with no exceptions https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/27220
Also you may learn more detail from https://www.caat.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Drone-Regulation-Eng-Translation.pdf
Act # 10. All drone below 25 Kg. with camera(4 – 2) must be register.
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
Hope your update will be coming more and more.
Thanks a lot for this, we will update it!
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