The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) recently held a public hearing on five draft regulations related to radar spectrum usage and technical standards, aiming to support the rapid expansion of smart sensing technologies while strengthening public safety and quality of life.
The hearing was chaired by NBTC commissioner AM Thanapant Raicharoen, who oversees the broadcasting sector and chairs the subcommittee on spectrum management and technical standards.
The proposed regulations are designed to modernise Thailand's framework governing radar-based radiocommunication systems, reflecting growing adoption across both consumer and industrial applications.
AM Thanapant said radar technology was originally developed for military purposes, particularly for aircraft and object detection, before evolving into broader civilian use. Existing NBTC regulations cover radar applications in automobiles, traffic systems, drones and general-purpose sensors.
However, the emergence of advanced use cases such as in-cabin monitoring systems in vehicles, railway transport systems, smart building sensors and industrial automation has accelerated demand for expanded spectrum support and updated technical standards, he said.
The NBTC plans to permit additional use of the 57-64 gigahertz spectrum band and expand transmission power allowances for radar systems operating within the 24.05-24.25GHz range.
The five draft notifications under public consultation comprise three regulations specifically related to radar systems and two covering licence-exempt radio communication equipment.
The radar-specific drafts include rules governing spectrum use and radar radio communication devices authorised for general use; technical standards for radar telecommunications equipment with unrestricted application categories; and technical standards for radar systems used in land transport and traffic management.
Two draft notifications focus on licence-exempt devices and technical standards for equipment operating within the 57-64GHz frequency range.
According to the NBTC, radar technology plays an increasingly critical role in improving convenience and safety, particularly in the post-pandemic era, where demand for contactless systems and intelligent sensing solutions has risen sharply.
Applications now extend beyond automotive collision prevention systems to include driver fatigue monitoring, child-presence detection inside vehicles, motion and obstacle sensing within smart homes, and automated sanitary systems.
Modern radar technologies have also become significantly more precise, capable of detecting even subtle finger movements, while offering greater reliability and stability than camera- or laser-based systems, especially under challenging environmental conditions.
Industrial applications are also expanding, particularly in systems used to measure object speed, height and movement in manufacturing and logistics operations.
"The development of radar technology will play an increasingly important role in enhancing safety, supporting smart infrastructure and driving future innovation across Thailand's digital economy," AM Thanapant said.
