Enhanced airport security measures implemented.
Ubon Ratchathani Airport Enhances Security Measures Amid Border Tensions
Ubon Ratchathani Airport, located in the northeastern province of Thailand that shares borders with Cambodia in Nam Yuen and Nam Khun districts, has implemented enhanced security measures to address concerns amid tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.
The airport has banned drone flights in its vicinity and increased the frequency of security patrols. In addition, a dual-view X-ray system has been procured as part of its security technology upgrades.
According to Danai Ruengsorn, director-general of the Department of Airports, the airport is now equipped with a video conferencing system linked to the Department of Airports' central security monitoring system. This enables immediate military assistance in emergencies such as evacuations.
Moreover, the airport's capacity is capable of handling up to 1,050 passengers per hour, or approximately 3 million annually, and its 3-kilometer-long runway can accommodate up to six flights per hour.
These measures come as part of the airport’s ongoing upgrade plan to become an international hub. However, no information is currently available about the airport's status in becoming an international airport and an aviation hub in the Northeast.
In terms of drone regulations, despite Thailand easing rules to allow agricultural drone flights from August 11, 2025, these flights remain strictly prohibited in restricted zones including Ubon Ratchathani province and within 9 km of any airport. Violation of drone restrictions may result in imprisonment, fines, or drone destruction by authorities using anti-drone systems.
These upgrades reflect heightened security coordinated with national authorities and technological improvements to ensure passenger safety in a sensitive border region. The Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri visited Ubon Ratchathani Airport on Tuesday to inspect its progress towards becoming an international airport and an aviation hub in the Northeast.
Travelers planning a trip to Ubon Ratchathani Airport should be aware of the enhanced lifestyle changes aimed at ensuring their safety, as the airport enhances security measures in response to border tensions. The prohibition of drone flights in the airport's vicinity is among these measures, as well as a ban on drone flights in the Ubon Ratchathani province and within 9 km of any airport, in line with national drone regulations.
