Thai King Pilots Royal Boeing 737 to Vietnam with Queen as Co-pilot
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 74, departed on a state visit to Vietnam on September 14, piloting the royal Boeing 737-800 himself while Queen Suthida, 48, served as co-pilot. The Thai government's foreign affairs office released footage showing the king in the captain's seat and the queen in the co-pilot's seat as the aircraft landed safely in Hanoi amid heavy rain. This historic journey represents the first state visit by a Thai king and queen to Vietnam since diplomatic relations were established in 1976, with Thai Prime Minister Anutin among the delegation accompanying the royal couple.
Key Points
- King Vajiralongkorn is a career military officer who graduated from a military academy and served in the Royal Thai Armed Forces, holding certifications for the Northrop F-5, F-16, and Boeing 737-400
- In 1994, he served as an F-5E/F instructor pilot, and in 2012 personally flew a charity charter to Khon Kaen to venerate Buddha relics, with all proceeds funding impoverished students
- Queen Suthida previously worked as a flight attendant with Thai Airways and JALways before joining the Thai royal military in 2010, where she obtained qualifications to fly large passenger aircraft
- The royal couple previously flew together to Bhutan's Paro Airport, widely regarded as one of the world's most challenging airports for takeoff and landing
- The visit elevated Thailand-Vietnam bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year, marking significant milestone for regional diplomacy
Why It Matters
The royal flight demonstrates the unique personal capabilities of Thailand's monarchy while symbolizing the deepening strategic partnership between the two Southeast Asian nations half a century after establishing diplomatic ties. The state visit carries substantial diplomatic weight as both countries seek to strengthen economic and security cooperation amid evolving regional dynamics.
The royal flight demonstrates the unique personal capabilities of Thailand's monarchy while symbolizing the deepening strategic partnership between the two Southeast Asian nations half a century after establishing diplomatic ties. The state visit carries substantial diplomatic weight as both countries seek to strengthen economic and security cooperation amid evolving regional dynamics.