On 8 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), together with the Thai delegation, held discussions with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), led by Mr. Tajima Seiichi, Director-General for International Aviation, Civil Aviation Bureau, and Assistant Vice-Minister for International Aviation, Minister’s Secretariat. The meeting aimed to build upon and further expand civil aviation cooperation between Thailand and Japan.
CAAT expressed its appreciation to JCAB for its warm welcome and cooperation during the CAAT Director General’s visit to Japan in February 2026. During the visit, both sides exchanged knowledge on the regulatory framework for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The discussions covered airworthiness certification, standards for remote pilots, flight operations standards, and the safe management of low-altitude airspace. The Thai delegation also gained practical insights from a demonstration flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft conducted by SkyDrive Inc.
Both sides agreed to build on the outcomes of the visit and advance practical cooperation. Key areas include the development of AAM regulations and regulatory approaches, the exchange of technical information, personnel development, and low-altitude airspace management. These efforts will support the safe and sustainable development of Thailand’s emerging aviation ecosystem and industry.
CAAT also expressed its appreciation to Japan for its support in aviation environmental cooperation. Key areas include the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the development of an Airport Environmental Management System (Airport EMS). Both sides also discussed opportunities to further expand cooperation in these areas.
On this occasion, CAAT invited JCAB to participate in the ICAO Second Advanced Air Mobility Symposium 2026 (AAM 2026), to be hosted by Thailand from 1–3 December 2026 in Bangkok. CAAT also informed JCAB of Thailand’s plan to establish a Thai aviation representative office in Montréal, Canada, with the aim of strengthening Thailand’s participation and cooperation with ICAO at both the policy and technical levels.
CAAT reaffirmed its commitment to continuing cooperation with JCAB in aviation safety oversight and standards, AAM development, knowledge and personnel exchange, and aviation environmental initiatives. These efforts will contribute to the continued development of the civil aviation systems of Thailand and Japan, while promoting safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation growth over the long term.
