Thailand's Queen Suthida flew a fighter jet solo for the first time on October 8, with King Maha Vajiralongkorn watching from the ground, the Bureau of the Royal Household said.
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The Bureau released a video showing Suthida flying a JAS 39 C Gripen from Wing 7 air base in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. After landing, the king presented her with a bouquet and a Gripen Order Golden Patch, a badge given to those who have flown the fighter jet, the Bureau said.
It said Suthida trained at the base over two periods, from August 20 to September 4 and from September 25 to October 8, including on flight simulators, following Royal Thai Air Force standards.
Suthida began flying in May 2010 and has logged about 1,188 hours across several types of aircraft, including Boeing 737s, according to the Bureau. It said she has also served as co-pilot to the king on royal flights, including an official visit to Bhutan in 2025.
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