Royal Thai Air Force News
Beech AT-6TH Wolverine crashed not even one year into services
Royal Thai Air Force spokesperson Air Marshal Jackkrit Thammavichai confirmed that on 29. January 2026, a Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine two-seat light attack aircraft (BJ8-05/67, s/n 10, #41105) crashed during a training mission near Chiang Mai at approximately 10:20 a.m. The two pilots on board were killed. They were identified as Squadron Leader Samatcha Khunmat, the flight instructor, and Flight Lieutenant Korawit Jenkid.
The aircraft came down in a jungle area near Huay Muang Fang Sai village in Chom Thong district, about 60 kilometers from Chiang Mai Airport, within a designated military training area. The pilots were participating in a combat search and rescue training exercise at the time of the accident. No civilian injuries or property damage were reported in the surrounding area.
Thailand recently acquired the U.S.-manufactured fighter-trainer produced by Beechcraft, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation. The Royal Thai Air Force commissioned the final aircraft in its eight-strong AT-6TH fleet in September 2025. Assigned to Squadron 411 at Wing 41, the aircraft entered service in September 2025, meaning it had been operational for less than a year. The AT-6TH was introduced as part of the air force’s long-term plan to replace its ageing L-39ZA jet fighters, which had been in service for decades.
Source: www.bangkokpost.com,
www.khaosodenglish.com,
www.aviation-safety.net
29. January 2026
Thai air force pledges to train female pilots
Thailand's new air force commander has pledged to train female fighter
pilots while boosting advanced drone and anti-drone capabilities,
signalling a new era of aerial strategy.
Air Chief Marshal
Sakesan Kantha delivered his policy address and strategic vision for
2026 at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy in
Saraburi's Muak Lek district on Friday amid recent tensions along the
Thai–Cambodian border. He outlined a roadmap of modernisation and
continuity, building on the foundation laid by his predecessor.
He emphasised a comprehensive approach to strengthening the Air Force
through professionalism, transparency, and technological innovation,
while stressing the need to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled
personnel capable of operating in both air and space domains.
"The air force must not only adapt to new technologies but also uphold
the moral and ethical standards that define our service," he said.
Air Chief Marshal
Sakesan also announced plans to open frontline combat roles to qualified
candidates regardless of gender, with the aim of training the first
female fighter pilots in the near future.
On technological advancement, the Commander highlighted the growing
importance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). He said the RTAF has issued
new guidelines on the types of missions in which drones will be deployed.
However, he warned against overreliance on automation.
"Human pilots undergo over a decade of training to develop discernment,
responsibility, and ethical judgment -- qualities that machines cannot
replicate," he said.
Following recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, he ordered an
urgent review of the RTAF's white paper to reassess lessons learned and
adjust priorities.
Source:
www.bangkokpost.com
11. October 2025
New Commander of the RTAF
On
1 October 2025, Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul,
Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, handed over the
Commander-in-Chief's flag and a file containing handover documents to
Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha, the new Commander of the Air
Force. To mark the occasion, the Air Force organised a military parade
in front of the Air Force Academy in Don Mueang with four battalions.
Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha is the 31st Commander-in-Chief of the
RTAF and was formerly the Deputy Commander of the RTAF. Air Chief
Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul is now retiring.
New aircraft for the RTAF
The Royal Thai Air Force is expanding its capabilities. On 25 September 2025, outgoing Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, Commander of the RTAF, signed a contract with Airbus for the delivery of two additional H225 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters. The two aircraft will support and supplement the Eurocopter EC725 Caracal helicopters already in service with the 203 Squadron. The aircraft will be equipped with Bambi Buckets for use in fighting wildfires and other emergencies in the country.
The following day, the contract for the delivery of an Airbus A330 MRTT
was signed. The Airbus A330 MRTT is the first aircraft in the RTAF to be
equipped as an air tanker. This is an important step towards
strengthening the RTAF and making it more efficient in terms of air
surveillance. Based on the A330neo, the further development of the
A330MRTT will be equipped with both a hose and boom refuelling system.
It will also feature the Airbus Medical Evacuation Kit and a VVIP cabin
configuration. Military conversion of the aircraft is scheduled to begin
in 2026 at the A330MRTT centre in Getafe, Spain, with final delivery
planned for 2029.
26. September 2025
New aircraft for the RTAF
On 21th of December 2020, the RTAF taken a new Airbus A320 and eight DA.40 trainingplanes into service.
Air Chief Marshal Airbull Suttiwan explained that the Airbus A320-214(CJ)/W Prestig complements the existing fleet and will primarily be used for air transport missions for non-combat military operations, including humanitarian aid for victims of natural disasters. The aircraft will be operated by the No. 602 Squadron at RTAFB Don Muang.
The second aircraft type was the Diamond DA40NG training aircraft, which the RTAF calls the Type 21 training aircraft (BF.21). Eight aircraft were handed over to the No. 604 Squadron in RTAFB Don Muang, where they replace the NZAI CT-4A, which was procured in 1975.
11. January 2021.
New Commander of the RTAF
On 1st. October 2020, Air Chief Marshal Airbull Suttiwan took
over
as Commander
of the Royal Thai Air Force. In recent years it has become common
practice for merited officers to be given the post of commandant of the
Royal Thai Air Force for one year prior to their retirement.
Air Chief Marshal Airbull Suttiwan was in command of the 6th Wing at
RTAFB Don Muang and is a trained C-130 Hercules pilot. He was also the
Air Attaché and Deputy Defense Attaché in Singapore.
Air Chief Marshal
Airbull Suttiwan
comes from a family of air force officers. His father was part of a
training programme in the US code-named 'Air Bull' which led to the
choice of name for his son.
Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II
The RTAF has ordered an integrated training system for the flight school at the RTAFB Kamphaeng Saen base from Textron Aviation Defense.
The $162 million order includes twelve Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs, ground-based training systems for pilots and maintenance personnel, a deployment planning and debriefing system, replacement parts and ground support equipment. The training of pilots and maintenance specialists for the RTAF is scheduled to begin in 2022 at Textron Aviation in Wichita, while the twelve Beechcraft T-6C Texan IIs are due to be handed over between late 2022 and early 2023. Textron Aviation Defense plans to fly two of the twelve aircraft to Thailand and package the remaining ten aircraft and transport them to the RTAFB Kamphaeng Saen.
"This program is a leap in the direction of the Thai government's new plans to support the local defense industry, not just a new trainer," said ACM Maanat Wongwat, Commander in Chief of the RTAF. "This program seeks cooperation between different partners, especially between foreign and Thai local companies, which has been promoted by the government's current strategy" S-curve 11 "."
1. November 2020
New
Commander of the RTAF
On 1. October 2019 the new Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force Air Chief Marshal Maanat Wongwat assumed command. Born 15. July 1960 Maanat Wongwat was Pilot at the 23 Wing and later Air Attaché at Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. The former commander of RTAF Air Chief Marshal Chaiyapruek Tishyasarin was only one year in office before his retirement.
New
Commander of the RTAF
Air Chief Marshal Chaiyapruek Tishyasarin
was born on 8. December 1958 as the youngest son of Air Chief Marshal
Saisarn Setthasirin. He was the former Commander of Wing 1 (Nakhon
Ratchasima) and F-16 Pilot of 101 Sqn and 403 Sqn. Nickname "Tai,
Rabbit" or "Big Air Commander". Member of National Peace Corps and the
National Legislative Assembly.
Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School
(T18)
A decommission ceremony was
held at the RTAFB Phitsanulok on 18. December 2015 to mark the
retirement of the GAF Nomad from the RTAF service. On the same day, the
final aircraft was flown to the RTAF Museum at RTAFB Dom Buang near
Bangkok. The GAF Nomad had been flown by the RTAF since 1982 and was
used in a wide variety of roles.
27. March 2016
Additional Saab JAS 39C/D
Gripen fighters procurement?
The Royal Thai Air Force plans to purchase 6 additional Saab JAS 39C/D
Gripen fighters.
27. March 2016
On the 22. October 2015 the
first of three Sukhoi RRJ-95B Superjet
#60317 (s/n 95093 / 97015) was
delivered to the 603 Squadron at RTAFB
Don Muang. The Sukhoi RRJ-95B Superjet will supplement the existing
ATR-72 in service of 603 Squadron.
The second Sukhoi RRJ-95B Superjet #603?? (s/n 95095 / 97014) was
delivered on 15. December 2015.
27. March 2016
After a competition between
the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle , Hongdu L-15, Alenia Aermacchi M-346, Aero
L-159 ALCA & Aero L-39NG the RTAF ordered in September 2015 4 KAI T-50
Golden Eagle as new Light Attack plane, delivery estimated in 2017
27. March 2016
RTAF Anniversary
Bangkok:
2557 (or 2014) is not only the year in which the venerable Avro 748
celebrates its 50th anniversary, no the Aero L39ZA Albatross celebrates
an anniversary. For 20 years the RTAF uses this light attack aircraft.
The L-39ZA were initially flown by the 101 & 102 squadron in Khorat and
are now in the servic by the 401Squadron in Thakli and 411 Squadron in
Chiang Mai. From 1994 on, the RTAF received a total of 40 planes of
which about 5 were lost in accidents.
To mark the anniversary, some planes were presented with a special
livery of all four season markings, present was also a Lockheed C-130H
Hercules with special livery.
RTAF Avro 748
Bangkok: This year 2557 B.E.(or 2014) marks the 50th anniversary of the venerable Avro 748 or Hawker Siddeley 748 in the service of the RTAF. The first plane (s/n1570) was procured in 1964 and was used for the Royal Flight of Thailand. 1973 a second plane was procured. In August 1983 the RTAF take over four planes from the Thai Airways Ltd. and used them as transports. From the original six planes today are still five in use by the 603 Sqn at Don Muang Air Base.
New A-320 for the RTAF
Bangkok: On 25 June 2013, the Thai Cabinet approved the purchase of an Airbus A-320 for THB 3.5 billion (U.S. $ 120 million). The plane with the serial number 6112 had its maiden flight in Mai 2014 and will be delivered in July to the 602 Squadron of 6 Wing atn Don Muang near Bangkok. The 602 squadron is responsible for all VIP flights and the "Royal Flight".
Peacemaker Crash
Bangkok: On Friday afternoon, 13th December 2013 at 1pm (local time) a Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker of the Royal Thai Air Force slipped from the runway. The plane of the 501 Squadron crashed at the Airbase of Prachuap Khiri Khan in the province of the same name.
The pilot was uninjured. The plane sank with the right front wheel into the sand next to the runway, the right wing crashed then on to the Runway. At time of the accident there was strong and windy weather and light mist which obstructed the sight.
Neue Bilder der RTAF
New Pictures from the RTAF by Chakrit Samithinan
New
Commander of the RTAF
On 19 September 2012 Air Chief Marshal Prachin Chantong (7. March 1954) was appointed as the 22 commander of the Royal Thai Air Force. He took the office on 1 October 2012 and is elected for a term of 3 years.
Some new Pictures about the RTAF from a friend (3. Juni 2012)
Lockheed F-16A Block 15 Fighting Falcon, 102 Sqn 10th Anniversary on the RTAFB Khorat 23. April 2012
Some new Pictures about the RTAF from Paul van der Elskar
Intro
It
has only a few informations over the aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force outside of Thailand.
I'ts my goal to
fill the gap and describe all planes of the RTAF (Royal Thai Air Force). I will
here describe the Markings, Squadron
isignas and Camouflagen or painting of the planes. The evolution of
Markings ofer the years and the combat service of some planes.
I's
the Idea to collect all Informations about the RTAF and provide a database
for Modellers and others. On this pages are all informations on the planes
postet I get. It will be (someone) a dadabase on the Royal Thai Air Force.
It is a great task
and it will go on for some years, because ther are only a few sources and
many false informations about the armed service of Thailand.