Drone regulations in Cambodia
Last update on 19.01.2020 | 36 Kommentare
In this post, you will find information about the use of drones in Cambodia.
Drones are allowed in Cambodia, and there are no other rules for general use. However, in some areas, there are significant restrictions on the use of multicopters.
Overview: Drone rules in K
Drone labels can be ordered here
In the capital, Phnom Penh, you need a special permit for flying a drone. This step was introduced after a German flew his copter over the Royal Palace.
Also, if you want to fly at the main landmark of Cambodia – Angkor Wat or Siem Reap – you also need permission. To my knowledge you need permits from the following authorities:
- Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department
- Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia (http://cambodiafilm.gov.kh/?cat=26)
- Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap
- Clearance from air traffic control (because of the proximity of the temple complex to the airport)
The permits for flights in Siem Reap can theoretically be applied for, but I do not know what the relevant procedure looks like. For all licenses together, you have to expect a cost of up to $1,000.
My recommendation: If I were you, I wouldn’t use a drone in Phnom Penh or Angkor Wat.
You should also be very careful in other places. The case of an Australian filmmaker made headlines when he was jailed for 15 months because he flew his drone over a policital rally by the opposition. He was accused of espionage, but later pardoned by the king.
We have researched the listed drone regulations for Cambodia to the best of our knowledge. We can not guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, please contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Cambodia!
Hey, I was wondering if I would have any trouble coming in or out of the country with my drone. Is there a chance I could have my drone confiscated at customs? I am going on a trip to Cambodia this summer and I will be flying into the Phnom Penh airport, and flying out again from Phnom Penh.
And how did it go?
It went great! I had no problems at all and was able to get some epic footage of the floating villages and some of Battambang.
Hey, I’m hoping to take my drone to Siem Reap to get some footage of the countryside- do you think I need to get a permit for this? I doubt the locals will report me and I do NOT plan on flying it at Angkor Wat, mainly wanting to capture the rice fields and such so just wondering if you think it’s still necessary. Thanks!
I am traveling to Siem Reap from 14th-19th Oct 2017.
Please tell me where to apply for permission for Drone flying above Siem Reap- Angkor Wat and other temples.
Your quick reply would be of great help. And also, can I rent drone anywhere in Siem Reap ?
+1. Did you end up taking your drone? How did it go? I’m heading to Siem Reap with my Mavic on Oct 28th. Any customs issues?
Open question to anyone else reading this as well.
Everything went fine- no customs issues whatsoever! There’s no actual customs when you arrive in Siem Reap so you can just walk right through!
Were you able to fly near Angkor Wat temples?
I will be traveling to not only Cambodia but also Thailand and Laos in March of 2018. Can anyone offer any insight in to taking a drone to either of those 2 country’s?
Thanks in advance.
Did you have any issues doing this?
I im at the moment in Cambodia.. just visited Siem reap and now in phnom phen. At angor wat they had everywhere signs “no drones if flying blaablaablaa” big fines and so on.. so i left my phantom to hotel and went without. When i got to the site i saw many drones flying by tourist and nobody didnt give shit about them flying. I was so mad i left mine at hotel. Anyway, at Siem reap airport they opened my bag and started saying im not allowed to take drone with me and i have to pay and so on.. with 5 minutes argumenting, no paying no nothing and i got away with my drone. Now in phnom phen and gonna try flying here. Lets see how it goes.
Hey Jesse,
I’m travelling to Cambodia on the 22nd Feb 2018. fingers crossed i have no issues at the airport. Any advice on the best places to fight would be great.
Hi Lea, I’m traveling to Cambodia in about 3 weeks with my drone. Did you have any issues with customs during your arrival?
How did it go in Cambodia with the drone, I’m heading over in April
Dear Friends. i go to Cambodia next days, i want to bring with me the phantom. I know the many no fly zone.
But other problems are airport custom.
From Reap to Islands i take an airplane. The Company say to me, that are not allowed from airport custom, the airport custom say that is the company to decide.
Any news about this?
Hi, no issues with getting drone through airport. It’s not easy to find places to fight the drone in Cambodia if I’m honest. You have no chance fighting at Angkor wat. We was at floating village which at one point looked great to fight, but then police turned up with coaches from the local school. Was advices by tour not to risk it. I’ve had better luck in Vietnam. Ha long bay out at the dragon island was amazing. You have to be very careful with the wind. Then had drone again out over Hoi An village. Which the police saw and had no issues. If you have any more questions then let me know. Weather is amazing. Be careful with ants if you are going Angkor wat. Got bit on first day in Cambodia
Hi, how is it in Phnom Penh, have you used the drone there?
Hi, I only visited the floating village and Angkor
Wat. I stayed in Siem Reap. If I’m honest I found it very hard to fight drone anywhere in Cambodia. Vietnam was much better. Ha long bay and hoi An in Vietnam was perfect for fighting. The police saw me and just let me get on with it.
Hi
does it apply to all drones? I mean , is there maybe a difference between using a Phantom and a Spark? thanks a lot
Hello Rita,
Yes, the rules apply to all drones.
Hi, I was flighting a dji mavic. In Cambodia the police aren’t really that friendly. Angkor wat is a no fly zone for the public. If the get caught then will just take drone away from I’m you. You won’t get it back if I’m honest. Floating village would have been fine, but there was a school trip for the locals. There was police and army with them. Was not going to risk it
Thank you for the insights, Lea!
I am going to combodia on the 1 st of nov 2018
From India . Wanted to know if I can take my drone to combodia in my bagpack
I have a Mavic pro
Is it legal to have one in your bag
And also I will be flying from Bangkok so will Thailand airport create any problems for me ?
Sure, it is allowed.
Hi, back in Feb 2018 I had no issues traveling into Cambodia with my drone. I carried it in my hand luggage. I did struggle to fight the drone in Cambodia. I was only in Cambodia for 3 days and with the amount of police around I did not risk it. I would suggest taking the propellers of the drone and have them in a different bag. Hope information is helpful.
Thank you Lea!
There is no law in Cambodia about drones. There is only a draft projet. Yet authorities have declared a few obvious sites as no-fly zones and they have erected signs: Angkor temples, Royal Palace, National Assembly, Council of Ministers, Prime Minister residence, airports.
In general you should avoid flying over the cities and especially Phnom Penh, the capital, or near the 3 major airports.
Bringing a drone into Cambodia is not a Customs issue (there are 4 DJI certified shops in Phnom Penh) but the airlines may have restrictions due to the batteries.
Thanks for the insights 🙂
Is drone still allowed in Cambodia ?b’coz I heard that drone was officially banned in 2k15 February.
Hi all, planning for a trip to Phnom Penh on April 2019, any issue with customs for bringing in drone?..owns a mavic air
Hey guys,
I currently am in Siem Reap with my Mavic Air and I didn‘t have any issues so far.
Angkor Wat is a no fly zone and yes, you can apply for the permits but
a) you have to gather the permits of the authorities mentioned above and
b) they are very expensive.
so unless you are being hired for filming the new Tomb Raider, just enjoy the amazing temples, bring your camera and take great photographs.
At the floating village near Kompong Khleang I didn‘t have any issues. The boat driver let me take off of his boat and I could take some epic shots <3
Hint: Set your home location to be the remote, not the starting point, as boats are moving. Luckily I didn‘t have any issues but when I noticed that my remote‘s battery was down to 25% and I had the home point set to be the starting point, I almost shat my pants. Maybe because I‘ve already lost one mavic in the Aegean 😀
Police is not very friendly here but unless you disrespect their history like flying at Angkor Wat, some Dollars can help you out of any situation.
Good evening.
I write from Italy.
I am an independent traveler and I would like to visit Cambodia next August.
I am passionate about photography and I would like to take my drone with me to shoot and take photos.
I’m trying to figure out if the use of drones is allowed freely or if a permit is needed from the Cambodian authorities.
I repeatedly tried to contact http://www.civilaviation.gov.kh/en/# but I think they have problems with emails because they always come back.
Even through the website there is no way to contact them since it would seem not to work.
I no longer know whom to address to understand how to use my drone in full legality and compliance with local laws.
Waiting for your kind reply, I send you my best regards.
We fly to Cambodia with a drone and we have a transfer in China at Urumqi airport. Will I have a problem with a drone if I just transfer?
use the drone in vietnam is better exp.
2019 i use mavic around the center market still ok
good to fly around the island in cambodia
but around the Independence Monument the policeman take away my drone……
then
i buy one new one mavic in vietnam
even in hcmc .cross the landmark81 in the city, red church,war museum
or go to danang, muine, nha chung…….no police ask me anything.
maybe i would fly in preah vihear in 2020/08
Thank you for sharing your experience!