On 27 August 2026, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, presided over the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding arrangements for hosting of the Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026 (AAM 2026).
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport Mr. Phattrapong Phattraprasit, Mr. Tao Ma, Director of the ICAO Asia and Pacific Office (ICAO-APAC), Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), as well as executives from the Ministry of Transport and other relevant organizations.
The signing marks an important milestone in Thailand’s preparations to host AAM 2026, which ICAO has selected Thailand to host from 1–3 December 2026 under the theme “From Vision to Implementation: Enabling the AAM Ecosystem.”
Thailand will serve as a key platform bringing together policymakers, regulators, executives, and aviation industry representatives from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss the future direction of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and future unmanned aircraft operations.
Mr. Phiphat said, “Thailand’s selection as the host of AAM 2026 is an important opportunity to demonstrate to the international community Thailand’s potential and readiness to embrace changes in aviation technology. The Government views AAM not simply as a new type of aircraft technology, but as an integral part of the transportation system of the future. This requires systematic preparation across all dimensions, including laws and regulations, safety, infrastructure, technology, human resources, and an ecosystem conducive to investment and development.”
Hosting AAM 2026 is therefore aligned with the Ministry of Transport’s direction to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness, drive an innovation-based economy, and support the country’s sustainable development as a regional Aviation Hub.
For this event, ICAO will invite representatives from all 193 ICAO Member States, including policymakers, senior officials from civil aviation authorities, industry executives, and aviation-sector representatives from around the world. The event is expected to attract approximately 1,500 participants.
Thailand’s role as a meeting point for key stakeholders shaping the future of global aviation will create opportunities in terms of policy development, international cooperation, economic activity, and investment. Hosting the event will allow Thailand to demonstrate to global businesses and investors its readiness to support emerging aviation industries and attract investment in areas related to Advanced Air Mobility, unmanned aircraft, aviation technologies, infrastructure, air traffic and airspace management systems, as well as research and development.
These opportunities could contribute to the creation of new industries, employment, workforce development, and domestic supply chains for aviation-related technologies.
At the same time, hosting AAM 2026 will provide Thai businesses, academic institutions, and aviation professionals with opportunities to connect with international knowledge, technologies, and networks. It will also encourage investment in research, development, and innovation, helping Thailand create tangible value from the future aviation industry.
Beyond economic and investment benefits, AAM 2026 will give Thailand an opportunity to participate at a critical time when global policies, standards, and regulatory approaches for AAM are being developed. This will enable Thailand to exchange knowledge and experience with ICAO and its Member States and incorporate these insights into the development of national laws, standards, and regulatory frameworks that are clear, systematic, and aligned with international approaches.
One of the key outcomes that Thailand, through CAAT, is working with ICAO to develop is the “Bangkok Statement.” The statement will reflect the objectives and outcomes of AAM 2026 and build upon the **Call to Action document resulting from the 2024 AAM event in Montreal, Canada.
The Bangkok Statement is intended to encourage Member States to prepare for the future adoption of AAM, including through greater public and stakeholder awareness, infrastructure development, and the establishment of appropriate regulatory frameworks.
The development of the Bangkok Statement also represents an important opportunity for Thailand to play a role beyond simply serving as the venue for an international conference. It will allow Thailand to participate in discussions among the global aviation community on the development and future direction of Advanced Air Mobility, while establishing a milestone that connects Bangkok with significant international developments in future aviation.
Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said, “CAAT places great importance on preparing Thailand to accommodate AAM technologies across all dimensions, particularly laws and regulations, safety standards, infrastructure, airspace management systems, and workforce development. We also place strong emphasis on cooperation among government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, and technology developers.
“As Thailand’s principal coordinating agency for AAM 2026, CAAT will work closely with ICAO, the Ministry of Transport, and relevant agencies to ensure that the event contributes to the long-term development of Thailand’s aviation system. Our key principle is that innovation must advance alongside safety. New technologies entering the aviation system must be supported by appropriate regulatory frameworks, be capable of practical implementation, and remain consistent with ICAO guidance and international standards.”
Mr. Tao Ma, Director of the ICAO Asia and Pacific Office (ICAO-APAC), said that ICAO is delighted that Thailand will host AAM 2026 and is confident in Thailand’s strong capabilities to successfully deliver the event and ensure its smooth and seamless organization.
AAM 2026 will comprise three key components:
1. Symposium and Conference – An international forum for exchanging knowledge and discussing regulatory and governance directions for AAM.
2. Exhibition – Showcasing technologies, innovations, products, and systems related to AAM and unmanned aircraft.
3. Flight Demonstration – Demonstrating the capabilities and real-world applications of emerging technologies, while promoting greater awareness, understanding, and confidence in the future development of AAM.
Hosting AAM 2026 is therefore more than simply organizing an international conference. It represents an opportunity for Thailand to lay the foundations for readiness across policy, regulation, technology, infrastructure, human resources, and related industries, while creating a platform for Thailand to participate in shaping the future of aviation.
The event will also help translate this role into long-term opportunities for economic growth, investment, and enhanced national competitiveness, positioning Thailand to play a greater role in the future of aviation.
