Thailand Achieves Top Global Aviation Safety Ratings at 91.35%, Exceeding the World Average by More Than 20%
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reports its exceptional aviation safety performance, showcasing a score significantly higher than the global average.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has revealed impressive results from its audit conducted under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The audit took place from August 27 to September 8, 2025, and the preliminary score reached an outstanding 91.35%, far surpassing the global average of 70.50%.
The evaluation examined eight key areas:
- Primary Aviation Legislation and Civil Aviation Regulations (LEG)
- Civil Aviation Organization (ORG)
- Personnel Licensing (PEL)
- Aircraft Operations (OPS)
- Airworthiness of Aircraft (AIR)
- Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation (AIG)
- Air Navigation Services (ANS)
- Aerodromes and Ground Aids (AGA)
Thailand achieved perfect scores in two areas: Aviation Legislation and Civil Aviation Organization, outstripping global averages by 20-30%. This reflects Thailand’s substantial progress since it was designated with an ICAO “Red Flag” in 2015, transforming into a recognized regional aviation center.
Timeline of Thailand’s Aviation Safety Improvements
- January 2015: Audited with 33 Significant Safety Concerns identified, resulting in a 33.53% score.
- September 2017: CAAT corrected all issues, lifting the Red Flag; score rose to 41.11%.
- May 2019: Remaining concerns addressed, bringing the score to 65.83%.
- September 2021: Offsite Validation resulted in a 66.08% score.
- January 2022: Score adjusted to 61.60% after protocol updates from ICAO.
- July 2025: Introduction of a new audit criterion with the latest PQ2024 Edition.
Preliminary Audit Results:
- Current Score (pre-audit): 61.60%
- Preliminary Score: 87.71%
- Score for CAAT’s Direct Oversight: 91.35%
- Global Average: 70.50%.
CAAT’s personnel devoted extensive efforts to prepare for this audit, the largest in a decade. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon explained that CAAT’s meticulous documentation and compliance ensured high scores. The collaborative effort among various stakeholders was crucial in reinforcing Thailand’s position as a dependable aviation hub.
“ICAO typically audits its 193 member states, assessing 12-20 countries annually. Given Thailand’s high score, it may experience a significant interval before the next review,” concluded Air Chief Marshal Manat.
