All replicas of the royal crematorium and pavilions for laying of sandalwood flowers for the late King Bhumibol will be off limit to aerial drones on Oct 26, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announced on Friday.
The aviation agency said the flying ban is for safety and public order. Only unmanned devices authorised to take aerial photographs by the committee organising the royal cremation ceremonies and provincial governors will be allowed in the sky above.
Violators face a maximum fine of 40,000 baht and/or imprisonment of up to one year under the Air Navigation Act.
Mourners are expected to throng the royal crematorium at Sanam Luang, the replicas and all other stations to place the sandalwood flowers for King Bhumibol on Oct 26.
Drones were earlier banned by the aviation authority from flying over the royal ceremonial ground and the Grand Palace and within 19 kilometres of of there on royal cremation day.
A total of 85 replicas of the royal crematorium and 878 sandalwood flower pavilions have been built in Bangkok and all provinces.
