On 7 September 2026, during the 61st Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA/61) in Malaysia, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), led the Thai delegation in a bilateral meeting with the U.S. delegation, led by Ms. Rebecca Cointin, Assistant Administrator, to strengthen aviation safety cooperation and further enhance civil aviation relations between Thailand and the United States.
During the meeting, the Thai delegation expressed its appreciation to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its continued cooperation and guidance throughout the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) process. This cooperation has contributed significantly to strengthening Thailand’s aviation safety oversight system and supported the country’s preparations for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), in which Thailand achieved strong results.
CAAT reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a robust and effective aviation safety oversight system following Thailand’s restoration to Category 1 status under the IASA programme. CAAT will continue to enhance its safety standards and oversight capabilities in line with international standards, with the aim of sustaining confidence in Thailand’s civil aviation system over the long term.
Both sides also exchanged views on opportunities to enhance air connectivity between Thailand and the United States. CAAT expressed its readiness to provide regulatory guidance and support within its mandate to airlines seeking to launch or increase services between the two countries. The U.S. side, including the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), also expressed its readiness to provide relevant support and coordination for Thai airlines interested in operating services to the United States.
The Thai delegation also provided an update on preparations for the ICAO Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026 (AAM 2026), scheduled to take place from 1–3 December 2026 in Bangkok, under the theme “From Vision to Implementation: Enabling the AAM Ecosystem.” Thailand invited the FAA to support and participate in the event, which will provide an international platform for exchanging knowledge, experience, and perspectives on the development of Advanced Air Mobility.
On the same occasion, the Thai delegation informed the U.S. side of Thailand’s plan to establish a Thai aviation representative office in Montréal, Canada, where ICAO Headquarters is located. The initiative aims to strengthen Thailand’s ability to closely follow and participate in ICAO’s policy, standards, and technical work, while enabling closer and more continuous coordination with ICAO and its Member States.
