(Bangkok, 17th) The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced that the preliminary results of the ongoing supervision audit program (USOAP CMA) conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from August 27 to September 8, 2025, on Thailand's civil aviation safety oversight system, have been released. The results show that Thailand performed excellently in multiple areas, with a total score as high as 91.35%, nearly 20 percentage points above the global average of 70.50%, marking the country's best performance in the past decade.
Two Areas Score Full Marks, Safety System Ranks Among World Leaders
According to data released by CAAT, Thailand achieved a perfect score of 100% in both Civil Aviation Legislation (LEG) and Civil Aviation Organization (ORG), surpassing the international average by 20 to 30 percentage points. This demonstrates that Thailand has established a modern aviation legal system and an efficient regulatory body that meets international standards, placing itself among the world's leading nations in aviation safety.
According to data released by CAAT, Thailand achieved a perfect score of 100% in both Civil Aviation Legislation (LEG) and Civil Aviation Organization (ORG), surpassing the international average by 20 to 30 percentage points. This demonstrates that Thailand has established a modern aviation legal system and an efficient regulatory body that meets international standards, placing itself among the world's leading nations in aviation safety.
This achievement also signifies that since the ICOA issued the "Red Flag Warning" in 2015, Thailand has completely emerged from the shadow of safety issues and is steadily moving toward becoming an international aviation hub.
From “Red Flag Warning” to High Global Score: A Decade-Long Journey
CAAT reviewed its safety development trajectory over the past decade:
- January 2015: The former Civil Aviation Department audit identified 33 major safety hazards, ICAO issued a “Red Flag”, and the effective implementation rate was only 33.53%.
- September 2017: CAAT completed comprehensive rectification, ICAO removed the red flag, and the score increased to 41.11%.
- May 2019: All issues except those in the accident investigation area were resolved, with the score increasing to 65.83%.
- September 2021: ICAO conducted a remote verification, with an effective implementation rate of 66.08%.
- January 2022: Due to ICAO updating its audit standards (PQ2020 version), the score was adjusted to 61.60%.
- July 2025: ICAO introduced the latest audit standards (PQ2024 version).
According to the latest audit, Thailand’s overall preliminary score is 87.71%. Among the seven areas directly overseen by CAAT (legislation, organization, operation, airworthiness, licensing, navigation services, and airport management), the average score reached 91.35%, far exceeding the international average.
Air Chief Marshal: Results Reflect Transparency and Execution
CAAT Director General, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, stated that this audit was the largest safety oversight audit in the past decade, and CAAT mobilized all its professional resources to prepare.
"ICAO provides all member states with a unified assessment process and questionnaire. All our departments must fully demonstrate their legislative, operational, and supervisory capabilities. ICAO not only checks documents and regulations, but also examines our actual implementation, including penalty mechanisms for violators."
CAAT Director General, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, stated that this audit was the largest safety oversight audit in the past decade, and CAAT mobilized all its professional resources to prepare.
"ICAO provides all member states with a unified assessment process and questionnaire. All our departments must fully demonstrate their legislative, operational, and supervisory capabilities. ICAO not only checks documents and regulations, but also examines our actual implementation, including penalty mechanisms for violators."
He emphasized that the high score reflects the integrity and transparency of Thailand's aviation legal system, and also demonstrates CAAT's ongoing commitment to implementing international standards.
Results of Multi-party Cooperation Strengthen Regional Aviation Hub Status
Air Chief Marshal Manat stated that this success was not the effort of CAAT alone, but rather the result of multi-party cooperation involving the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (Aerothai), Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), the Department of Airports, the Civil Aviation Training Center, and all airlines.
"This report card not only represents a decade of effort, but also further strengthens Thailand’s trust and position within the regional and global aviation safety system."
Air Chief Marshal Manat stated that this success was not the effort of CAAT alone, but rather the result of multi-party cooperation involving the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (Aerothai), Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), the Department of Airports, the Civil Aviation Training Center, and all airlines.
"This report card not only represents a decade of effort, but also further strengthens Thailand’s trust and position within the regional and global aviation safety system."
ICAO only evaluates 12 to 20 member states each year. Given that Thailand's score is among the highest, it is expected that the country will not be audited again in the short term. Air Chief Marshal Manat added that CAAT used the latest PQ2024 evaluation checklist, which will become the common standard for all member states in the future.
He concluded, "This result proves that Thailand has transformed from a problematic nation in the past to an internationally recognized safety model. We will continue to move forward to ensure that Thailand becomes Asia's safest and most reliable aviation hub."