Legal Measures to Control and Promote the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Agriculture

Abstract

Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been widely used in agriculture. They serve as a protective measure for farmers against the harmful effects of chemical spraying, reducing labor and time in farming practices. Additionally, they can analyze soil and crop conditions to enhance agricultural productivity. However, the use of UAVs in agriculture must consider regulations and the potential impact of their operations.
In Thailand, there are laws under the Ministry of Transport that control and establish criteria for obtaining permits to operate UAVs in agriculture. These regulations prioritize permit conditions and applicant qualifications. Nevertheless, there are no specific laws that exempt agricultural UAVs from the regulations that apply to manned aircraft, which can lead to impracticalities and obstacles in their usage.
This is different from the United Kingdom, where explicit regulations exist for various sizes of UAVs used in agriculture. The United States has also established criteria for UAV operations in agriculture specifically. Therefore, the author suggests implementing new legislation in Thailand to categorize agricultural UAVs separately based on their intended use, weight, and capabilities. Penalties should be imposed for misuse, and additional regulations should control the release of pollutants from agricultural UAVs clearly. Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated agency to provide training and licenses for agricultural UAV operators, both in the public and private sectors, would be beneficial and ensure compliance with the law.