BANGKOK, Thailand – 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. (NNT)
