Thailand’s Queen Suthida has completed her first solo flight in a Swedish-made Gripen fighter jet, marking a notable milestone in her aviation journey. The flight took place at a Royal Thai Air Force base in southern Thailand, with King Maha Vajiralongkorn watching the event.
1. A Historic Flight in Southern Thailand
The Queen flew a single-seat JAS 39C Gripen on October 8, 2026, at Wing 7 air base in Surat Thani province. The flight followed specialised training conducted according to Royal Thai Air Force procedures.
2. The King Witnesses the Flight
King Maha Vajiralongkorn attended the event and watched the Queen prepare for take-off and complete the flight. After she landed, he congratulated her with a bouquet of flowers and presented her with a Golden Gripen Order patch associated with flying the aircraft.
3. More Than 1,188 Hours of Flying Experience
Queen Suthida has accumulated approximately 1,188.48 flying hours across different aircraft. Her experience includes training aircraft, light aircraft and Boeing 737 passenger jets. She has also served as co-pilot alongside the King during royal flights.
4. From Simulator Training to a Fighter Jet
Preparing to fly the Gripen alone required specialised instruction. The Queen completed academic training, simulator sessions and flights in a two-seat JAS 39D Gripen with an instructor before progressing to the single-seat aircraft.
This training helped prepare her to operate the fighter jet independently.
5. Understanding the Gripen Fighter Jet
The JAS 39 Gripen is a multirole combat aircraft developed by Swedish aerospace company Saab. It is designed for missions that include air defence and air-to-ground operations. The JAS 39C is a single-seat version, while the JAS 39D has two seats and can be used for training.
6. Thailand’s First Female Gripen Pilot
The solo flight marked another milestone in Queen Suthida’s aviation career. Reports identified her as Thailand’s first female Gripen pilot, reflecting the specialised training and experience required to fly this advanced military aircraft.
7. A Royal Achievement That Captured Attention
Queen Suthida’s solo flight has drawn international attention because of the unusual combination of royal duties and military aviation. With extensive experience across civilian and military aircraft, the Queen’s latest flight adds a distinctive chapter to her aviation record.
