The birth of UAV logistics is similar to the development of commercial aircraft in the last century. Although the current license, insurance and airspace laws and regulations related to drone logistics are still unclear, due to the unlimited potential of drones, investors are confident that there will eventually be a suitable solution and unified standard.

The benefits of this emerging technology are obvious. For example, even during strict social distancing controls, drones can still deliver hot meals and other purchased goods directly to consumers’ doorsteps; in emergencies, it can deliver medical care The equipment can be safely transported to the place where it is needed, and it can even extinguish high-rise building fires; it can spray water or chemicals over farmland to increase crop yields with minimal effort; it can also be programmed to control inventory for large companies, which can save thousands every year Worker hours. UAVs have the possibility of being used in various industries.

The market value of drone logistics in 2022 is estimated to be 11.2 billion U.S. dollars, and is expected to at least double in the next five years. The estimated market value in 2027 will reach 29 billion U.S. dollars. Companies that quickly adapt to regulatory changes and seize new opportunities will reap substantial returns as the commercial drone industry takes off.

▼Current situation in Thailand

Thailand has realized the importance of drone technology and is updating its aviation industry regulations accordingly. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Geographic Information and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) to promote progress in this area. This memorandum of understanding specifies that loans will be provided to domestic manufacturers in Thailand to further develop the Thai aerospace industry, including the drone industry.

Thai investors and existing companies have shown great enthusiasm for drone technology, but due to the UAV Law passed by the Ministry of Transport in 2015, commercial drones are still illegal without approval. Nevertheless, if approved by the Ministry of Transportation and in compliance with other applicable regulatory requirements, drones will be very helpful to the business operations of enterprises.

According to the regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, all drones flying in Thailand must comply with the current regulations, which include the following rules:

UAVs with camera functions or weighing more than two kilograms must be registered with the Ministry of Transport;

For drones weighing more than 25 kilograms, in addition to registering with the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Transportation's approval must be obtained in advance;

Drone pilots need to keep their drones in sight;

UAVs must not fly close to manned aircraft;

UAVs cannot fly close to people, buildings, buildings or vehicles, and must maintain a horizontal distance of at least 30 meters. The specific requirements depend on the weight of each UAV;

Unauthorized drones are not allowed to fly in the restricted area;

Unless special permission is obtained, drones are not allowed to fly within nine kilometers of an airport or any temporary airport;

UAVs are not allowed to fly above 90 meters above the ground.

Although these rules reflect reasonable security considerations, they may be adjusted in the future to promote wider commercial applications. Just like air travel in the last century, it may take some time to achieve a balance between technological progress and public safety, and public opinion will play an important role in determining relevant policies.

▼Public attitude towards drones

The current public opinion on drones is quite divided. Many people believe that the potential advantages of drones are offset by their privacy violations and other negative effects, such as the danger posed by peeping through a window or following someone in the street, and hovering foreign objects in the air.

The public's acceptance of the drone industry depends on eliminating these fears and demonstrating the positive effects of technology. That is, drones can avoid road congestion, quickly deliver packages, and because they don’t need to use vehicles for delivery, they actually reduce traffic and air pollution. .

In addition, because drones can operate without a driver and gasoline, the use of drones can also reduce transportation costs, so it will ultimately be able to provide consumers with cheaper products and services. Although most drones today still require a driver and their batteries are very expensive, industry experts believe that low-cost automated drones will become the market standard in the next few years. When commercial drone operators can ensure technical management responsibilities, the benefits of drones to the world will be irresistible.

▼The future of drones in ASEAN

Most observers are optimistic about the prospects of the drone industry in Southeast Asia, because the government and the private sector are currently placing drones in their priority industries. Although rules and regulations are often regarded as inconvenient by the business community, they can make the application of drones safer, which in turn can lead to smoother business operations and enhance public confidence.

There are great differences in the level of technological advancement and supervision among ASEAN countries. For example, Laos and Myanmar have very strict supervision of drones, while Singapore is more open, which makes it ahead of other Southeast Asian countries in this field.

▼Move forward

Currently, commercial drones are still illegal in Thailand without the approval of the Ministry of Transport. This limitation has caused the unmet market demand for drones, especially during the Covid-19 epidemic, people are aware of the potential benefits of non-contact transportation.

With the development of drone technology safety and regulatory systems, people will become more familiar with and begin to trust drone technology. From then on, rapid growth in this field will come.