Photographer Fined S$15,000 for Operating Drone Over Singapore Military Areas Without Permits
A 32-year-old Thai freelance photographer was fined S$15,000 after flying a drone without required permits over protected military areas including SAFTI Military Institute and Pasir Laba Camp in Singapore on April 21, 2026. The photographer, Prayut Rittichaipornkul, had been hired to take marketing photos for a company office located near the protected areas and deployed the drone after being dissatisfied with handheld camera footage. The incident highlights Singapore's strict regulations on unmanned aircraft operations near military installations, with the drone detected by the Republic of Singapore Air Force and traced by authorities.
A Thai freelance photographer was fined S$15,000 on June 12 after operating a DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone without proper authorization over protected military areas in Western Singapore. Prayut Rittichaipornkul, 32, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Air Navigation Act and related regulations, with five additional similar charges considered during sentencing. The incident occurred on April 21, 2026, when Prayut was assisting C&R Interiors with photography and videography of their Singapore office located near Pasir Laba Camp and SAFTI Military Institute. After deciding that handheld camera footage was insufficient, he deployed his drone for approximately 26 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 459 meters, during which it crossed into the protected military areas and recorded at least 18 videos, three of which captured parts of the protected zones. The Republic of Singapore Air Force detected the unidentified drone and alerted the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which traced it to Prayut's location, leading to police intervention and seizure of the aircraft. The fine imposed was below the maximum penalty of S$50,000 or two years imprisonment for such violations.
What different sources said
- CNACenter
Photographer fined S$15,000 after flying drone which captured parts of SAFTI, Pasir Laba Camp
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Photographer fined S$15,000 after flying drone which captured parts of SAFTI, Pasir Laba Camp
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