Drone photography is popular in Phuket given the coastline and island scenery, but genuine registration requirements and no-fly zones apply.
Registration requirements
Thailand requires drone registration with the national aviation and broadcasting regulators for most drones above a certain weight threshold — this applies to visitors bringing a drone into the country, not just Thai residents, and is worth completing before travel rather than assuming it's unnecessary for a short visit.
Where flying is restricted
No-fly zones typically include areas near the airport, military installations, and some government buildings — always maintain a safe distance from Phuket International Airport specifically, given its flight paths cross much of the island's northern beaches.
Beach and resort restrictions
Some resorts and public beaches restrict drone use independently of national rules, for guest privacy and noise reasons — worth checking directly with a specific property or beach authority before flying, rather than assuming a public beach is automatically fair game.
Practical advice
Given how often drone rules and registration processes change, checking Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) websites directly before travel is more reliable than relying on a fixed set of rules here — treat this page as an orientation to what to check, not the current rule itself.