(Pattaya, 7th) — A Singaporean man was arrested on the spot by law enforcement officers in Pattaya, Thailand, for illegally operating a drone. The police have launched an investigation and confiscated related evidence.
The incident occurred at 12:19 a.m. on the 7th of this month. A 44-year-old Singaporean tourist was found operating a drone to film nighttime scenery on the famous Walking Street in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. He was detained on the spot by a special task force for failing to obtain permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, thereby suspected of violating the flight ban.
Subsequently, law enforcement officers transferred him to Pattaya Police Station for further investigation. To ensure procedural accuracy, Deputy Chief Investigator Lieutenant Amontai arranged for an interpreter to assist with the interrogation and ordered the media not to photograph or enter the investigation room at the police station. He stated that the case would be referred to the National Police Headquarters for processing, and declined to comment further.
Police stated that the suspect failed to produce any flight permit and only claimed to be an avid photographer, saying that he flew the drone to capture aerial night views of Walking Street.
However, according to a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand on July 30, for the sake of national security and to cooperate with special security operations, from that day until August 15 (or until further notice), all drone flights of any type are banned nationwide.
However, according to a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand on July 30, for the sake of national security and to cooperate with special security operations, from that day until August 15 (or until further notice), all drone flights of any type are banned nationwide.
The police, citing Article 78 of the 1954 Air Navigation Act, have pressed charges against the suspect and confiscated the following pieces of evidence: one small drone with lithium battery; two spare lithium batteries; one black remote control set; one pair of drone control goggles with a black and red headband; and one black backpack.
It is understood that the police will handle this case in accordance with legal procedures. Whether the suspect will face a fine or other criminal penalties remains to be further determined.