Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa
The Royal Thai Air Force, founded as an army air arm in 1913 and independent since 1937, fought France in 1940–41, Japan for a day in 1941, lent its airfields to the American air war over Vietnam, and in 2025 flew its first combat in 37 years, against Cambodia, while buying the Gripen E/F to replace its oldest F-16s.
The Royal Thai Air Force story: a racecourse in 1913, the American air war from Thai bases and a border war with Cambodia
1911–1937: three officers, a racecourse and Don Muang
Thai military flying began with a demonstration: the Belgian Charles Van Den Born flew over Bangkok in January 1911, and Prince Chakrabongse sent three army officers to France, where they began flying training at Vélizy-Villacoublay in July 1912. They came home having bought the first aircraft — four Nieuport monoplanes and one Breguet biplane in Wikipedia’s main account, four Nieuports and three Breguets in another. Wikipedia dates the army air arm to 2 November 1913. It flew first from Sra Pathum, a racecourse that is now the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, and moved to Don Muang, where the first aircraft arrived on 8 March 1914 and the field opened on 27 March 1914. Siam joined the Allies in 1917 and sent about 1,200 men to France, 370 of them pilots and ground crew. In April 1937 the air arm became an independent service, the Royal Siamese Air Force, renamed Royal Thai Air Force in 1939. By then it was replacing French aircraft with American ones.
1940–1945: a short war with France, a day’s war with Japan
It fought within four years. In the Franco-Thai War of late 1940 to January 1941 the air force bombed Vientiane, Sisophon, Battambang and airfields in Indochina with six Martin 139Ws escorted by Hawk 75Ns. The claims do not agree: Thai sources quoted by Wikipedia claim five French aircraft shot down and 17 destroyed on the ground for three Thai aircraft lost in the air and five to ten on the ground; France admitted only three aircraft destroyed on the ground. A Japanese-brokered ceasefire followed on 28 January 1941. Then, on 8 December 1941, Japan invaded. Wing 5 at Prachuap Khiri Khan held out with the police until a ceasefire order arrived the next day, and six Thai fighters were lost over Don Muang. Thailand signed on with Japan, declared war on Britain and the United States on 25 January 1942, flew in support of the army in the Shan States and was given Japanese aircraft, 24 Ki-43s among them, while Allied bombers attacked Bangkok.
1950–1976: an American-equipped air force beside an American air war
After 1945 the air force rebuilt with British Spitfires and American Bearcats, then joined the Western camp for good. RTAF crews flew C-47s for the United Nations in Korea from 1951, and 40 F-86F Sabres arrived in 1962. The bigger story was on its own airfields. From 1961 to 1976 the United States Air Force operated from Don Muang, Korat, Takhli, Ubon, Udorn and Nakhon Phanom, and from the navy’s U-Tapao; Wikipedia’s account says about 80 per cent of American air strikes on North Vietnam flew from Thailand, and in 1969 more US airmen were in Thailand than in South Vietnam. Thai crews flew transports in South Vietnam as the Victory Flight from 1964 to 1971. After the fall of Saigon the Thai government asked the Americans to leave, with 27,000 troops and 300 aircraft, by 1976. What stayed was the concrete, and much of the RTAF’s base network is still the one the Americans built up.
1976–2010: insurgency, Laos, and a Western fighter force
At home the war was against the Communist Party of Thailand’s insurgency (1965–1983), flown with AU-23A Peacemakers, T-28s, 32 OV-10C Broncos and A-37Bs, some of them ex-South Vietnamese aircraft that had fled to Thailand in 1975. It ended politically, with Prime Minister Prem’s amnesty order 66/2523 of April 1980, more than militarily. The last conventional war came in 1987–88 at Ban Rom Klao on the Lao border: F-5s bombed Lao positions around Hill 1428, Wikipedia records two Thai aircraft lost in February 1988, and a ceasefire on 19 February 1988 restored the status quo. Meanwhile the first F-16s arrived in 1988 under Peace Naresuan I; four programmes and a Singaporean donation brought 61 in all. The ex-German Alpha Jets of 1999, bought for a million baht each, showed the other side of the air force: a service that stretched its budget with second-hand aircraft.
2008–2025: Gripen, the data link and the choice against the F-16
The Gripen decision of 2008 was different. Thailand bought not only fighters — six in February 2008 and six more in November 2010 — but two Saab 340 Erieye radar aircraft and a data link to tie them to ground stations and the navy, which Saab calls one of the few complete networked systems actually operational. The Gripens went to a new base at Surat Thani in the south. Since then the RTAF has bought from four countries at once: T-50TH trainers from Korea from 2015, T-6TH and AT-6TH turboprops from the United States from 2020, Israeli missiles and helmet sights for its upgraded F-5s, and a Mid-Life Update for 18 F-16s. In June 2025 the commander, Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, announced that four Gripen E/F would replace the oldest F-16s, choosing them over the F-16 after a ten-month review; the contract of 26 August 2025 is for three E and one F, with 12 planned over ten years.
2025–2026: the first air war in 37 years
On 24 July 2025 six F-16s bombed Cambodian positions at Chong An Ma, the RTAF’s first combat since 1988 (Wikipedia). Each side blamed the other for the first shots; Cambodia said its troops acted in self-defence against an incursion, and Thailand said its jets hit military targets. Gripens and F-16s struck again near Prasat Ta Khwai and Prasat Ta Muen Thom before a ceasefire on 28 July. A peace accord signed in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025 broke down, and from 8 December Thailand again used aircraft against what its army called military targets, while Cambodia’s ministries accused Thai forces of attacks near Preah Vihear temple and of killing civilians. T-50THs flew their first combat sortie on 24 December, and a ceasefire took effect on 27 December. The fighting settled nothing on the border, but it showed a real gap in air power between the two neighbours.
The Royal Thai Air Force in numbers
Servicio
- Nombre nativo
- กองทัพอากาศไทยKong Thap Akat Thai; the name Wikipedia gives in Thai script. The official site rtaf.mi.th could not be reached to confirm its own spelling
- Fundado
- 2 November 1913 (aviation); April 1937 (independent service)Wikipedia dates the air arm to 2 November 1913 and the independent Royal Siamese Air Force to April 1937, renamed Royal Thai Air Force in 1939. Thai-language official dates could not be checked
- Parte de
- Royal Thai Armed ForcesOne of three services with the army and navy
- Sede
- Don Muang, BangkokBeside Don Mueang airport, a military field since 1914
- Comandante en Jefe
- ACM Seksan KanthaNamed as current holder by Wikipedia; his predecessor ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul was still in post in June 2025
Fortaleza
- Personal
- About 46,000 activeWikipedia figure; not checked against IISS
- Aviones de combate
-
- Gripen C/D — 11
- F-16A/B — number not published (61 received)
- F-5TH — 13
- T-50TH — 14
- AT-6TH — 8
- Alpha Jet — 19
Gripen count from The Defense Post (2025); F-5TH from the Wikipedia list; T-50TH, AT-6TH and Alpha Jet from contract figures. The service does not publish a total
- Misión especial
- Two Saab 340 ErieyePlus P.180 and DA42 reconnaissance aircraft and three squadrons of UAVs
- Transporte
-
- C-130H/H-30
- BT-67
- ATR 72-600
- SSJ100
- A319, A320, A340, Boeing 737 (royal flight)
Numbers per type not confirmed
- Helicópteros
-
- S-70i
- S-92
- Campana 412
- EC725
All with Wing 2 at Lopburi; numbers not confirmed
- Presupuesto
- 40,081 million baht (FY2021)RTAF White Paper 2020 via Wikipedia: 39,931 million (2018), 41,609 million (2019), 42,539 million (2020)
Infraestructura
- alas voladoras
- 12Wings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 21, 23, 41, 46 and 56
- Fighter bases
-
- Korat — Wing 1, F-16
- Takhli — Wing 4, F-16 MLU and T-50TH
- Surat Thani — Wing 7, Gripen
- Ubon — Wing 21, F-5TH
- Udon — Wing 23, Alpha Jet
- Chiang Mai — Wing 41, AT-6TH
From the wing and squadron list
- Forward operating base
- Hat Yai (Wing 56)561 Squadron, no aircraft listed
- Antiguas bases estadounidenses
- Seven, 1961–1976Don Muang, Korat, Takhli, Ubon, Udorn, Nakhon Phanom and U-Tapao (a navy field)
How the Royal Thai Air Force is organised
One headquarters at Don Muang over 12 flying wings — Wings 1 to 7, 21, 23, 41, 46 and 56 — and a Flying Training School. The fighters fly from four bases: F-16s at Korat and Takhli, Gripens with their Erieye radar aircraft at Surat Thani and F-5TH at Ubon. Wing 56 at Hat Yai is a forward operating base with no aircraft listed, and seven of the wings share their runways with civil airports.
Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters
One of the three services of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, beside Don Mueang airport. Wikipedia names ACM Seksan Kantha as Commander-in-Chief; his predecessor, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul, was still in post when he announced the Gripen E/F choice on 4 June 2025, and the date of the change was not confirmed.
Wing 1
102 and 103 Squadrons fly the F-16A/B: the ex-USAF air defence aircraft of Peace Naresuan IV, and the Block 15 OCU aircraft of the first buy of 1988 with seven ex-Singapore F-16s. The base hosts the annual Cope Tiger exercise with the United States and Singapore.
Wing 7
Part of the 4th Air Division. 701 Squadron flies the Gripen C/D, 11 in service in 2025 according to The Defense Post, and 702 Squadron two Saab 340 Erieye radar aircraft linked to them by data link. Four Gripen E/F were contracted on 26 August 2025 to replace the oldest F-16s.
Wing 4
403 Squadron flies 18 F-16A/Bs upgraded under the Mid-Life Update, 401 Squadron the T-50TH lead-in fighter, which flew its first combat mission on 24 December 2025, and 402 Squadron reconnaissance aircraft.
Wings 21, 23, 41 and 5
211 Squadron’s upgraded F-5TH fighters at Ubon, 231 Squadron’s ex-Luftwaffe Alpha Jets at Udorn, 411 Squadron’s AT-6TH Wolverines at Chiang Mai and 501 Squadron’s AU-23A Peacemakers at Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Wings 6 and 46
Wing 6 has 601 Squadron with C-130H Hercules, 602 Royal Flight Squadron with Airbus A319CJ, A320CJ and A340-500, 603 Squadron with ATR 72-600s and Superjet 100s and the 604 Civil Pilot Training Squadron. Wing 46’s 461 Squadron flies BT-67 transports and rainmaking aircraft, with two C295s ordered in 2026.
Wing 2
The air force’s helicopter wing: 201 Squadron with S-70i Black Hawks and S-92s, 202 Squadron with Bell 412s and 203 Squadron with EC725s for search and rescue, with detachments at other bases.
Wing 3 and the Flying Training School
Wing 3’s 301 to 303 Squadrons fly unmanned aircraft, among them the Thai-designed RTAF U-1, near the Cambodian border; Wikipedia’s articles disagree on whether 302 Squadron is at Takhli. The Flying Training School operates Kamphaeng Saen.
What the Royal Thai Air Force flies today
Cada tipo está sujeto a cargos, vinculado a su página en el Libro de las Bestias, cuando existe. Las cifras corresponden a aeronaves registradas, no a aeronaves disponibles en un día determinado.
| Tipo | Role | En servicio | Desde | Unidades | Notas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab JAS 39C/D GripenEn servicio | luchador polivalente | 11 | 2011 | 12 delivered (four D, eight C, per Wikipedia); The Defense Post counts 11 in service in 2025. The reason for the difference was not confirmed in the sources reached. | ||
| General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin F-16A/B Fighting FalconEn servicio | luchador polivalente | 1988 | 61 received in all (F-16.net): 54 through Peace Naresuan I–IV and seven donated by Singapore in January 2005. The number still flying in 2026 was not published in a source reached. | |||
| Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II (F-5TH Super Tigris)En servicio | Combatiente | 13 | 13 upgraded F-5TH after one was lost in a crash on 3 December 2021 (Wikipedia list). | |||
| KAI T-50TH Golden EagleEn servicio | Lead-in fighter trainer and light attack | 14 | 2018 | Four ordered in 2015, eight in 2017 and two more planned for fiscal 2025: 14.
MásWikipedia also says 401 Squadron was to reach 16 after the 2025 buy, which does not add up; 14 is the figure both Wikipedia pages share. |
||
| Beechcraft AT-6TH WolverineEn servicio | Ataque ligero | 8 | 2024 | Eight ordered in November 2021 for 143 million dollars. | ||
| Beechcraft T-6TH Texan IIEn servicio | Entrenador básico | 12 | 2022 | 12 ordered in September 2020 for 162 million dollars. | ||
| Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet AEn servicio | Ataque ligero | 19 | 1999 | 25 bought in 1999; 19 listed in service by Wikipedia. Fourteen were planned for the Alpha Jet TH upgrade. | ||
| Fairchild AU-23A PeacemakerEn servicio | Light attack and reconnaissance | |||||
| Saab 340 AEW&C (Erieye)En servicio | alerta temprana aérea | 2 | 2012 | Two, deliveries completed October 2012. | ||
| Lockheed C-130H / C-130H-30 HérculesEn servicio | Transporte táctico | |||||
| Basler BT-67En servicio | Transport and rainmaking | |||||
| ATR 72-600 and Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LREn servicio | Transporte | |||||
| Airbus A319CJ, A320CJ and A340-500En servicio | Royal flight and VIP transport | |||||
| Piaggio P.180 Avanti and Diamond DA42 MPPEn servicio | Electronic intelligence and reconnaissance | |||||
| Sikorsky S-70i, S-92, Bell 412 and Airbus Helicopters EC725En servicio | Transport, VIP and search and rescue helicopters | |||||
| PAC CT-4A, Cessna T-41D and Diamond DA40/DA42En servicio | Primary trainers | |||||
| Aerostar BP and RTAF U-1 UAVsEn servicio | Reconocimiento no tripulado |
Bajo pedido
| Tipo | Ordenado | Primera entrega | Notas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab JAS 39E/F GripenBajo pedido | 4 | Three E and one F ordered through Sweden’s FMV on 26 August 2025 for SEK 5.3 billion (about 500 million dollars), with deliveries between 2025 and 2030 and an offset package.
MásThe air force plans 12 in phases over ten years. The first delivery year was not confirmed. |
||
| Airbus C295Bajo pedido | 2 | 2029 | Ordered in May 2026 for Wing 46 at Phitsanulok; first delivery in the first half of 2029 from Seville. | |
| Airbus A330 MRTTBajo pedido | Listed by Wikipedia as the planned replacement for the A340-500; no contract confirmed in the sources reached. |
Every type the Royal Thai Air Force has retired
14 types, from the Nieuport monoplanes and Breguet biplanes to the Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros. Las cifras máximas corresponden a las aeronaves puestas en servicio durante toda su vida útil, no al número total de efectivos de la flota en una fecha concreta.
| Tipo | Role | Cima | Servido | Reemplazado por | Notas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros | Entrenador a reacción y ataque ligero | 40 | T-50TH | 40 built with Elbit avionics. | ||
| North American Rockwell OV-10C Bronco | Contrainsurgencia | 32 | 1971–2011 | Alpha Jet | 32 bought new. | |
| Martin 139W (B-10) | Bombardero mediano | 15 | 1937–1949 | Six bought in April 1937; nine ex-Dutch aircraft given by Japan in 1942. | ||
| Nieuport monoplanes and Breguet biplanes | Primer avión militar | 1913– | Wikipedia’s RTAF article: four Nieuports and one Breguet; its Don Mueang article: four Nieuports and three Breguets. | |||
| Vought V-93S Corsair | Bombardero ligero y de reconocimiento | |||||
| Curtiss Hawk 75N | Combatiente | Number not given in the sources reached. | ||||
| Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa | Combatiente | 24 | 24 Ki-43-IIb (Wikipedia). | |||
| Supermarine Spitfire FR XIV | Fighter-reconnaissance | |||||
| Grumman F8F Bearcat | Combatiente | Number not given in the source reached. | ||||
| North American F-86F Sabre | Combatiente | 40 | 1962– | 40 (Wikipedia). | ||
| Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter | Combatiente | F-5E/F | ||||
| North American T-28D Trojan | Contrainsurgencia y entrenador | |||||
| Cessna A-37B Dragonfly | Ataque ligero | 18 | 1975– | 16 in the 1970s and two in the 1980s; some ex-VNAF aircraft flown to Thailand in 1975. | ||
| Tren aéreo Douglas C-47 | Transporte | 1951– |
Where the Royal Thai Air Force flies from
Los marcadores negros indican bases activas, los marcadores huecos, aeródromos que han cerrado. Much of the network is the one the US Air Force used from 1961 to 1976: Don Muang, Korat, Takhli, Ubon, Udorn and Nakhon Phanom, and the navy’s U-Tapao. U-Tapao and Nakhon Phanom are Royal Thai Navy airfields today and are listed for their history.
| Base | OACI | Estado | Pista | Unidades y aeronaves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Air Force BaseChiang Mai Province | VTCC | Activo | 18/363.400 m |
|
| Base de la Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa de Don MuangBangkok | VTBD | Activo | 03L/21R3.700 m03R/21L3.500 m |
|
| Hat Yai Air Force BaseSongkhla Province | VTSS | Activo | 08/263.050 mhormigón y asfalto |
|
| Base aérea de Kamphaeng SaenNakhon Pathom Province | VTBK | Activo | 03/212.743 mconcreto |
|
| Khok Kathiam Air Force BaseLopburiLopburi Province | VTBL | Activo | 16/342.200 m05/231,340 mhormigón y asfalto |
|
| Base de la Fuerza Aérea Real Tailandesa de KoratProvincia de Nakhon Ratchasima | VTUN | Activo | 06/243.000 metrosconcreto |
|
| Phitsanulok Air Force BasePhitsanulok Province | VTPP | Activo | 14/323.000 metroshormigón asfáltico |
|
| Prachuap Khiri Khan Air Force BasePrachuap Khiri Khan Province | VTBP | Activo | 08/262.000 metros18/361,050 m |
|
| Surat Thani Air Force BaseSurat Thani Province | VTSB | Activo | 04/223.000 metroshormigón asfáltico |
|
| Base de la Fuerza Aérea Real Tailandesa de TakhliNakhon Sawan Province | VTPI | Activo | 18/363.000 metrosconcreto |
|
| Base de la Fuerza Aérea Real Tailandesa de UbonUbon Ratchathani Province | VTUU | Activo | 05/233.000 metroshormigón asfáltico |
|
| Base de la Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa de UdornProvincia de Udon Thani | VTUD | Activo | 12/303.048 m |
|
| Base aérea de Watthana NakhonSa Kaeo Province | VTBW | Activo | 05/231.500 m |
|
Ninguna base aérea coincide con esa búsqueda.
Who is stationed where in the Royal Thai Air Force
Unidades voladoras por base, unidades actuales primero. Thai squadrons take three-digit numbers from their wing — 102 and 103 in Wing 1, 401 to 403 in Wing 4, 601 to 604 in Wing 6, 701 and 702 in Wing 7. The US Air Force wings and the Australian Sabre squadron that flew from Thai bases are listed and marked as not Thai. Where Wikipedia’s articles disagree on a squadron’s aircraft or base, the entry says so.
- Escuadrón 601Escuadrón de transporte táctico · activo
- C-130H / C-130H-30 Hércules
- 602 Escuadrón Real de VueloVuelo real y transporte VIP · activo
- Airbus A319CJ, Airbus A320CJ, Airbus A340-500
- Escuadrón 603Escuadrón de transporte · activo
- ATR 72-600, Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR
- 604 Escuadrón de Entrenamiento de Pilotos CivilesEscuadrón de entrenamiento · activo
- PAC CT-4A, Cessna T-41D, Diamond DA40/DA42
- Grupos Tácticos 6010 y 35 (Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos)1961–1970
- F-100 Super Sabre (detachment, 1961), F-102 Delta Dagger (509th FIS detachment, from 1962), RF-101C Voodoo (45th TRS detachment, from 1961)
- Escuadrón 102Escuadrón de cazas · activo
- F-16A/B Block 15 ADF
- Escuadrón 103Escuadrón de cazas · activo
- Unidad de Control Operacional (OCU) del Bloque 15 del F-16A/B
- Escuadrón 101Escuadrón · activo
- 388.ª Ala de Caza Táctica (Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos)1966–1975
- F-105D/F/G Thunderchief, F-4E and EF-4C Phantom II, A-7D Corsair II
- College Eye, Batcat y el 42.º Escuadrón Táctico de Guerra Electrónica (Fuerza Aérea de EE. UU.)1967–1974
- Estrella de advertencia EC-121D/R, destructor EB-66C/E
- 347.ª Ala de Caza Táctica (Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos)
- F-111A
- Escuadrón 231Hunter · Light attack squadron · active
- Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet A
- Ala de Reconocimiento Táctico 432 (Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos)1966–1975
- RF-101C Voodoo, RF-4C Phantom II, F-4C/D/E Phantom II
- 555.º Escuadrón de Caza Táctico "Triple Nickel" (Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos)1968–1974
- F-4D/E Phantom II
- Air America1955–1976
- 401 SquadronLead-in fighter and light attack squadron · active
- KAI T-50TH Golden Eagle
- Escuadrón 402Escuadrón de reconocimiento · activo
- Diamond DA42 MPP (Wikipedia’s Takhli article) or Piaggio P.180 (its RTAF article)
- 403 SquadronEscuadrón de cazas · activo
- MLU F-16A/B
- 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (US Air Force)1965–1970
- F-105D/F Thunderchief
- 211 SquadronEagles · Fighter squadron · active
- F-5E/F Tiger II (F-5TH Super Tigris)
- No. 79 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force1962–1968
- CAC Sabre
- 8th Tactical Fighter Wing "Wolfpack" (US Air Force)1965–1974
- F-4C/D Phantom II, AC-130 Spectre (16th SOS, attached)
- 701 SquadronShark · Fighter squadron · active
- Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen
- 702 SquadronAirborne early warning and transport squadron · active
- Saab 340 AEW (Erieye) and Saab 340 transports
- Escuadrón 411Escuadrón de ataque ligero · activo
- Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine, Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros (retired 2021)
- 201 SquadronEscuadrón de helicópteros · activo
- Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk, Sikorsky S-92
- Escuadrón 202Escuadrón de helicópteros · activo
- Bell 412 SP/HP/EP
- 203 SquadronEscuadrón de helicópteros de búsqueda y rescate · activo
- Airbus Helicopters EC725
- 301, 302 and 303 SquadronsUnmanned aircraft squadrons · active
- Aeronáutica Aerostar BP, RTAF U-1
- Escuadrón 501Light attack and reconnaissance squadron · active
- Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker
- 461 SquadronEscuadrón de transporte · activo
- Basler BT-67, Airbus C295 (two ordered May 2026)
- 561 SquadronSquadron (forward operating base) · active
- Escuela de entrenamiento de vueloEscuela de entrenamiento de vuelo · activa
No se encontró ninguna unidad que coincida con esa búsqueda.
Royal Thai Air Force milestones, 1914 to today
July: three Siamese army officers begin flying training in France, a year after Charles Van Den Born’s first flying display over Bangkok in January 1911.
2 November: date Wikipedia gives for the founding of the army air arm.
27 March: Don Muang opens as the military airfield; aircraft moved in from 8 March.
April: the air arm becomes an independent service, the Royal Siamese Air Force; six Martin 139W bombers are bought. It is renamed Royal Thai Air Force in 1939.
15 December: first Martin raid of the Franco-Thai War, on Xieng Khuang.
28 January: last raid on Sisophon and ceasefire. 8 December: Japan invades; fighting at Prachuap Khiri Khan and Don Muang.
RTAF C-47 airlift teams begin UN missions in Korea; they continue until 1971.
The USAF begins operating from Thai bases; the presence lasts until 1976.
40 F-86F Sabres arrive.
The last US forces leave, at the request of the Thai government.
F-5s fly strikes in the border war with Laos; ceasefire on 19 February. The first F-16s arrive under Peace Naresuan I.
25 ex-Luftwaffe Alpha Jets bought to replace the OV-10.
February: first six Gripens ordered, with two Saab 340 Erieye and a data link; six more follow in November 2010.
First Gripens delivered; the F-16 Mid-Life Update for 403 Squadron begins.
September: the KAI T-50TH chosen to replace the L-39.
L-39ZA/ART retired; eight AT-6TH ordered in November.
24–28 July and 7–27 December: air strikes on Cambodia. 26 August: contract for four Gripen E/F.
May: two Airbus C295 ordered for Wing 46.
Todas las guerras en las que ha luchado la Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa
Salidas y pérdidas donde consta en el registro, y un espacio en blanco honesto donde no.
- Primera Guerra Mundial 1917–1918 Sent aviators to France for training with the Allies; no Siamese air combat is recorded in the sources reached
- Guerra franco-tailandesa 1940–1941 Bombed towns, airfields and troops in French Indochina and defended Thai towns against French raids
- Invasión japonesa de Tailandia 1941 Resisted the Japanese landings for about a day, notably at Prachuap Khiri Khan and over Don Muang
- Segunda Guerra Mundial 1942–1945 Supported the Thai army’s advance into the Shan States and defended Thai cities against Allied bombing, with Japanese-supplied aircraft
- Guerra de Corea 1951–1971 Flew transport missions for the United Nations Command with C-47s
The Royal Thai Air Force display team
Cada equipo tiene su propia página: historia, aeronaves, la exhibición, los accidentes y las fuentes.
Royal Thai Air Force news from Afterburner
Everything MiGFlug’s magazine has published on the Royal Thai Air Force and the aircraft it flies. Esta lista se actualiza automáticamente: las nuevas historias de Afterburner aparecen aquí de forma automática.
Everything people ask about the Royal Thai Air Force
¿Cómo se llama la Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa en tailandés?
When was the Royal Thai Air Force founded?
Which fighter jets does the Royal Thai Air Force fly?
Why did Thailand choose the Gripen E/F over the F-16?
Did Thai F-16s bomb Cambodia in 2025?
Did Thailand fight France in 1940–41?
How many US air bases were in Thailand during the Vietnam War?
Did the RTAF lose aircraft in the 1987–88 war with Laos?
¿Dónde se encuentra el Museo de la Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa?
Read the aircraft the Royal Thai Air Force flew
Cada tipo tiene una página en el Libro de las Bestias, primero en servicio y luego por el año en que abandonó la flota.
Todos los datos, verificados
- F-16.net: Real Fuerza Aérea TailandesaPeace Naresuan I–IV (54 aeronaves) más siete aeronaves procedentes de Singapur en enero de 2005, 61 en total; primera entrega en 1988; MLU de 18 aeronaves para el Escuadrón 403 a partir de 2011.
- Saab: Thailand market pageSaab confirms Thailand operates Gripen and Erieye linked by a secure data link network.
- The Defense Post: Thailand Chooses Swedish Gripen Jets Over F-16s (4 June 2025)ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul announces four Gripen E/F for about 500 million dollars, 12 planned over ten years.
- The Defense Post: Tailandia adquiere cazas Saab Gripen E/F (26 de agosto de 2025)Contrato FMV–Saab para tres aviones E y uno F, 5.300 millones de coronas suecas, entregas entre 2025 y 2030; 11 Gripen C/D en servicio.
- The Defense Post: Tailandia compra dos aviones de transporte Airbus C295 (25 de mayo de 2026)La Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa (RTAF) encarga dos C295 para el Ala 46 en Phitsanulok; la primera entrega está prevista para el primer semestre de 2029.
- The Defense Post: Tailandia afirma que más de 100.000 civiles huyen de los enfrentamientos con Camboya (25 de julio de 2025)Aviones F-16 tailandeses despegaron para atacar objetivos militares; cada bando culpa al otro de haber disparado primero; Tailandia cifra en 15 los muertos.
- The Defense Post: Tailandia lanza ataques aéreos contra el ejército camboyano (8 de diciembre de 2025)El portavoz del ejército tailandés, Winthai Suvaree, habla sobre los ataques aéreos; la portavoz del Ministerio de Defensa camboyano, Maly Socheata, afirma que Tailandia atacó primero.
- The Defense Post: Se extienden los enfrentamientos entre Camboya y Tailandia en la frontera (9 de diciembre de 2025)Los ministerios del Interior y de Defensa de Camboya afirman que hay muertes de civiles y ataques cerca del templo de Preah Vihear; cifras de bajas del ejército tailandés.
- The Defense Post: Tailandia y Camboya acuerdan un alto el fuego inmediato (27 de diciembre de 2025)Alto el fuego a partir de las 12:00 del 27 de diciembre de 2025, firmado por los dos ministros de Defensa; al menos 47 muertos en diciembre.
- Al Jazeera: Los camboyanos luchan por sobrevivir en medio de un tenso alto el fuego con Tailandia (9 de mayo de 2026)En mayo de 2026, más de 34.440 personas seguían desplazadas (Ministerio del Interior de Camboya); el alto el fuego del 27 de diciembre de 2025 fue calificado de tenso.
- Autoridad de Aviación Civil de Tailandia: publicación de los eAIP (AIRAC, 3 de septiembre de 2026)Índice del eAIP tailandés; el paquete vigente data del 3 de septiembre de 2026.
- AIP Tailandia, AD 2 VTBD Bangkok/Don Mueang International (operador civil AOT, uso conjunto con la RTAF) (AIRAC 3 de septiembre de 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Tailandia, AD 2 VTUN Nakhon Ratchasima / Korat (operador: Real Fuerza Aérea Tailandesa, Ala 1) (AIRAC 3 de septiembre de 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Tailandia, AD 2 VTUD Udon Thani (operador civil: Departamento de Aeropuertos) (AIRAC 3 de septiembre de 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTUU Ubon Ratchathani (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTPI Takhli (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 4) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTSB Surat Thani (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTCC Chiang Mai International (civil operator: AOT) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBU U-Tapao (military: Royal Thai Naval Air Division; civil: U-Tapao Airport Authority) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTSS Hat Yai International (civil operator: AOT) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTPP Phitsanulok (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBP Prachuap Khiri Khan (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 5) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBL Lop Buri / Khok Kathiam (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 2) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBK Nakhon Pathom / Kamphaeng Saen (operator: RTAF Flying Training School) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTUW Nakhon Phanom (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBW Sa Kaeo / Watthana Nakhon (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 3) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 Punto de referencia y elevación (pies convertidos a metros y redondeados), AD 2.12 Designadores de pista, longitudes y superficies.
- Sitio web del Ala 1 (Korat) de la Real Fuerza Aérea TailandesaSitio oficial: nombre tailandés กองบิน ๑; lema "Hogar del tigre"; dirección en Nong Phai Lom, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima.
Cifras verificadas el 30/09/2026. Las páginas de Orden de Batalla se regeneran a partir de un único conjunto de datos; si algún número aquí no coincide con el de una página del Libro de las Bestias, esta página es la más reciente de las dos.
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