The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), represented by the Aeronautical Search and Rescue Standards Division of the Air Navigation Services (ANS) standards Department recently conducted the “Search and Rescue (SAR) Experience Program under the ASEAN Cooperation Framework”. The initiative took place from 29 June to 10 July 2026, at BASARNAS, the National Search and Rescue Agency of the Republic of Indonesia.
The objective of this project was to exchange knowledge and experiences through joint On-the-Job Training (OJT). The focus was placed on sharing regulatory and operational perspectives in SAR services to build a foundational understanding that can be applied to enhance Thailand’s SAR regulatory framework. Furthermore, this initiative supports the sharing and exchange of SAR experiences among ASEAN member states in the ASEAN Air Transport Search and Rescue Forum (ATSF) framework
BASARNAS operates as an end-to-end, integrated SAR service provider. It functions as both Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) and Search and Rescue Unit (SRU). Structurally, the agency comprises 1 Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) and 45 Rescue Sub-Centers (RSCs) distributed across the country’s SAR regions. BASARNAS provides comprehensive coverage across Aeronautical SAR, Maritime SAR, Land SAR, and Disaster management, while maintaining strong SAR cooperation with military branches and private sector entities.
During this mission, the CAAT delegation engaged in OJT at the BASARNAS’s JRCC Room and participated in Communication Exercises with the RCCs of New Zealand and India. The delegates also visited the BASARNAS Training Center, a fully integrated facility equipped with classrooms, accommodations, cafeteria, and advanced simulators designed to replicate realistic scenarios such as Urban SAR and Confined Area operations. Additionally, the delegates attended the Indonesia International Search and Rescue Forum (IISAR), a major regional event hosted in Indonesia.
CAAT expresses its deepest appreciation to BASARNAS for the warm welcome, excellent hospitality, and the valuable opportunity to share vital information. This mission reflects the close friendship and strong partnership between the two countries. CAAT intends to utilize the practical skills, best practices, and operational models observed during this program to develop and modernize Thailand’s SAR regulatory oversight system, further strengthening the country’s readiness to support the advancement of its civil aviation industry.
