Thailand NBTC Public Hearing on Radar & Radiocommunication Standars 2026

Thailand's telecommunications regulator has launched one of the most significant updates to its radar and radiocommunication framework in recent years. On 1 May 2026, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced a formal public hearing on five draft announcements covering technical standards for radar systems and general use radiocommunication equipment. The consultation period officially runs from 4 May 2026 to 3 July 2026, giving manufacturers, importers, and certification bodies a 60 day window to submit feedback before the new rules are finalized.

This update is expected to allign Thailand's domestic framework more closely with international standards, while introducing new requirements that will directly affect type approval, licensing, exemptions, and Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) obligations.

Scope of the NBTC Thailand Radar Standars Update

The NBTC has prepared five draft announcements, divided into two groups:

Group 1 - Radar Radiocommunication Equipment (Drafts 1-3):

1. Draft NBTC Announcement on Criteria for the Use of Radar Radiocommunications Frequencies and Equipment Permitted for General Use

2. Draft NBTC Announcement on Technical Standards for Radar Radiocommunications Equipment without Application Restrictions (Non-Specific Radar Applications)

3. Draft NBTC Announcement on Technical Standars for Radar Radiocommunications Equipment for Land Traffic and Transportation

Grupo 2 - General use Radiocommunication Equipment (Drafts 4-5):

1. Draft NBTC Announcement on Criteria for the Use of Radar Radiocommunications Frequencies an Equipment Permitted for General Use (Version 2)

2. Draft NBTC Announcement on Technical Standars for Radiocommunications Equipment Permitted fo General Use, Frequency 57/64 GHz

Key Technical Parameters Under the Draft NBTC Standars

Frequencies and Maximum e.i.r.p. for General-Use Radar (Draft 1)

Radar equipment operating in the following bands will be exempt from licensing if power levels stay within the listed limits, and compliance will be demonstrated via Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC):

Frequency Band	Maximum e.i.r.p.
5.725 – 5.875 GHz	< 10 mW
10 – 10.6 GHz	< 10 mW
24.05 – 24.25 GHz	< 100 mW
76 – 81 GHz	< 10 mW

NBTC TS 10XX-256X - Non-Specific Radar Applications (Draft 2)

This standard sets minimum technical characteristics for radar systems operating in 24.05 - 24.25 GHz, regardless of application type (fixed, mobile, handheld, or portable), with a maximum e.i.r.p. of 100 mW (20 dBm).

NBTC TS 1011-256X - Land Traffic and Transportation Radar (Draft 3)

Specific to automotive and rail applications:

Frequency Band	Use Case	Max Peak e.i.r.p.
24.05 – 24.25 GHz	Vehicle-mounted (driving & navigation)	< 100 mW / 20 dBm
76 – 77 GHz	Vehicles + transport infrastructure	< 55 dBm
77 – 81 GHz	Vehicle-mounted only	< 55 dBm

What This Means for Manufacturers

For manufacturers, importers, and brand owners targeting the Thaii market, this update carries direct operational consequences:

• Automotive radar suppliers (24 GHz and 77 GHz ADAS/blind-spot/collision-avoidance systems) will need to align test reports and labeling with the new NBTC TS 1011-256X standard.

• Industrial radar and level/motion sensor manufacturers operating in 24 GHz and 10 GHz bands benefit from a clearer SDoC pathway with license-exempt operation under defined power limits.

• Short-range device (SRD) manufacturers in the 57-64 GHz band (often used for gesture sensing, 60 GHz Wi-Fi, and high-resolution radar) will face a brand-new dedicated standard under Draft 5.

• Existing certificates and approvals issued under prior NBTC rules may need to be reassessed once final announcements are grazetted, particularly if power levels, test methods, or applicable standards change.

• International aligment is the strategic goal: this should make leveraging ETSI, FCC, or IEC test reports more practical, reducing duplicated testing.

Certification Impact Summary

Compliance Area	Current Status	Expected Impact
Type Approval (Class A / Class B)	Required for licensed radar equipment	Possible updates to test standards and required documentation
SDoC (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity)	Used for low-power, license-exempt devices	Expanded scope to cover more radar bands under defined e.i.r.p. limits
Licensing Exemptions	Limited and band-specific	Broader exemptions for radar ≤10 mW in 5.7, 10, and 76–81 GHz bands
Automotive Radar (24 / 77 GHz)	Subject to general radar rules	Dedicated standard NBTC TS 1011-256X with explicit power limits
60 GHz SRDs (57–64 GHz)	No dedicated standard	New standalone technical standard introduced
Test Report Acceptance	Largely FCC/ETSI-based	Likely continued acceptance, aligned with international references

Timeline and Required Actions for Stakeholders

Key Dates

Date	Milestone
1 May 2026	NBTC publicly announces the consultation
4 May 2026	Public hearing comment window officially opens
3 July 2026	Deadline for written comments and feedback
Post-July 2026	NBTC review, revisions, and final announcement publication (date TBD)
After official gazette	Effective date for compliance with finalized standards

Required Actions for Manufacturers and Importers

1. Review your product portafolio, identify anu device operating in the affected bands (5.725 - 5.875 GHz, 10-10.6 GHz, 24.05-24.25 GHz, 57-64 GHz, 76-81 GHz)

2. Map existing certifications aganist the proposed NBTC TS 10xx-256x and NBTC TS 1011-256X requirements.

3. Engage your testing laboratory or certification consultant early to confirm whether existing FCC/ETSI test reports will be sufficient.

4. Submit feedback to the NBTC before 3 July 2026 via email to spectrum@nbtc.go.th with the subject "Comments on the Draft Radar Announcement", or in person al the NBTC office.

5. Plan certification renewals with the new framework in mind to avoid disruption once the standards take effect.

6. Monitor the official NBTC portal at https://www.nbtc.go.th for the publication of final announcements.

Conclusion - Why the NBTC Thailand Radar Standards Update Matters

The 2026 NBTC consultation marks a meaningful step toward modernizing Thailand's radar and radiocommunications frameworks, with international standards, and dedicated rules for automotive and 60 GHz applications. However, the changes also bring new compliance obligations that manufacturers cannot afford to overlook.

Acting early, by reviewing affected products, submitting comments, and preparing certification strategies, will help companies stay ahead of the curve and avoid market access disruptions once the final NBTC announcements come into force.