Thai freelance photographer, 32, flies drone without permit, captures footage of SAFTI & Pasir Laba Camp, fined S$15,000

A 32-year-old Thai national was fined S$15,000 on Jun. 12, 2026, after he flew a drone without the required permits and recorded footage of military areas in the west of Singapore.

Charge sheets and court documents seen by Mothership stated that Prayut Rittichaipornkul pleaded guilty to two offences under the Air Navigation Act and Air Navigation (101 - Unmanned Aircraft Operations) Regulations.

Five other charges of similar nature were taken into consideration during sentencing.

He is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and works as a freelance photographer for various companies, CNA reported.

Bought drone

Court documents stated that some time in 2025, Prayut, who was in Thailand, bought a DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone for his photography work and recreation purposes.

CNA reported that before March 2026, the Thailand office of C&R Interiors engaged Prayut's photography services.

A Singapore-registered company, its office is located at 20 Joo Koon Crescent, near Pasir Laba Camp and SAFTI Military Institute, both of which are listed as protected areas.

It also has offices in Thailand and Malaysia.

Sometime in March 2026, he was invited by an employee of C&R Interiors to attend the opening ceremony of a subsidiary company in Malaysia.

Deployed drone

CNA reported that Prayut decided to visit Singapore before going to Kuala Lumpur, and arrived here on Apr. 20.

At the employee's invitation, he visited the Singapore office the next day.

Prayut was asked to take photographs and videos of the Singapore office to be used in marketing materials in Thailand.

He initially used a handheld camera. However, being dissatisfied with the quality of footage and photographs, he decided to deploy his drone.

Did not have permit

Court documents stated that at about 8:20am on Apr. 21, 2026, Prayut began to operate the drone at the Singapore office, where he intended to take aerial videos of the exterior building.

The drone, which he operated for about 26 minutes at a maximum altitude of 459m above mean sea level, flew over protected areas comprising SAFTI Military Institute and Pasir Laba Camp.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force then detected an unidentified drone flying into the protected areas at about 8:23am, according to CNA.

After alerting the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), CAAS traced the drone to Prayut's location at the Singapore office of C&R Interiors, CNA reported.

AETOS Auxiliary police officers were then dispatched to the location.

Drone seized, penalties

Prayut had not been requested by C&R Interiors to operate an unmanned aircraft (UA) in Singapore

He also did not check official sources if he was permitted to operate a UA here, which requires a Class 1 activity permit, according to court documents.

CNA reported that the drone was found to contain at least 18 video recordings, three of which had captured parts of the protected areas.

The deputy public prosecutor sought a fine of S$15,000, which was imposed by court.

For operating an unmanned aircraft for business without a permit, a person may be fined up to S$50,000, or jailed for up to two years, or both.

A person who operates an unmanned aircraft over a protected area without a permit may face the same maximum penalty.