Bangkok: The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a focus on future advancements in Thai aviation under the theme ‘A Decade of Pride in Elevating Thai Aviation Towards a Sustainable Future.’ During the event, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, CAAT’s Director-General, highlighted the organization’s achievements and outlined future goals to elevate Thai aviation standards.
According to Thai News Agency, Air Chief Marshal Manat reflected on the establishment of CAAT on October 1, 2015, with a mission to enhance Thailand’s aviation safety regulatory system to meet international standards. Over the past decade, CAAT has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of Thai skies and restoring confidence among passengers and aviation operators. Notable achievements include the lifting of the ICAO red flag in 2017 and the US FAA’s announcement of Thailand’s return to IASA Category 1 status in April 2025, enabling the resumption of direct flights between Thailand and the US.
Furthermore, Thailand excelled in the ICAO USOAP CMA safety oversight audit with a Preliminary Score of 87.71, surpassing the global average. This achievement underscores the strength of Thailand’s aviation laws, organizational structure, and safety culture. CAAT is preparing for the upcoming ICAO USAP security audit this November, which will further evaluate the effectiveness of Thailand’s aviation oversight system.
CAAT is also focused on building international collaboration networks, working with partners like EASA and DGAC France to develop regulations, standards, and personnel. Collaborations with aviation giants Airbus and Boeing aim to realize Thailand’s vision as a regional aviation hub.
Moving forward, CAAT has outlined a framework aligning with the National Strategy, focusing on four pillars: Safety, Sustainability, Modernity and Innovation, and Aviation Hub and MRO. These pillars emphasize risk-based oversight, carbon neutrality through SAF aviation fuel, AI integration for efficiency, and the development of infrastructure and training centers to support Thailand’s aviation ecosystem.
Air Chief Marshal Manat credited the success of the past decade to the collaborative efforts of various sectors, including regulatory agencies, airports, airlines, and the aviation industry. He reaffirmed CAAT’s commitment to prioritizing safety, fostering industry growth, and building trust through transparent communication.
“From lifting the red flag to achieving Category 1 status and earning ICAO’s confidence, we are shifting from success to sustainability and from standards to regional leadership,” concluded the CAAT director.