The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) has started to deliver the Siam UAV drones it developed for military and non-military uses at 500,000 baht per unit.
DTI director-general Sompong Mukdaskul shows off the Siam UAV drone developed by the institute. (Photo by Wassana Nanuam)
The institute, a public organisation under the Defence Ministry, delivered 10 of the unmanned aerial vehicles on Friday to the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Provincial Police Region 6, Saraburi police, the Department of Special Investigation and the Corrections Department.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon presided over the delivery ceremony at the Defence Ministry.
Gen Sompong Mukdaskul, the director-general of the DTI, said the Siam UAV could fly for 40 minutes in a range of two kilometres at a maximum altitude of 500 metres. The drone has an automatic flight system, a conventional camera and a thermal imaging camera.
"They can be applied for warfare and non-warfare missions including intelligence, patrols, surveillance and situation monitoring to reduce the risk to personnel," he said. "They suit security, commercial and environmental operations."
Gen Sompong also said that the use of UAVs or drones must be regulated and their users must be trained because of their growing popularity.