Royal Thai Air Force
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
Serviço
- Nome 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
- Fundada
- 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
- Commander-in-Chief
- ACM Seksan KanthaNamed as current holder by Wikipedia; his predecessor ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul was still in post in June 2025
Força
- Pessoal
- About 46,000 activeWikipedia figure; not checked against IISS
- Aeronaves 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
- Special mission
- 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
- Sino 412
- EC725
All with Wing 2 at Lopburi; numbers not confirmed
- Orçamento
- 40,081 million baht (FY2021)RTAF White Paper 2020 via Wikipedia: 39,931 million (2018), 41,609 million (2019), 42,539 million (2020)
Infraestrutura
- Asas voadoras
- 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
- Former US bases
- 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 de cobrança, com link para sua página no Livro das Feras, quando houver. Os números indicam as aeronaves registradas, não as aeronaves disponíveis em um determinado dia.
| Tipo | Papel | Em serviço | Desde | Unidades | Notas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab JAS 39C/D GripenEm serviço | Caça multifuncional | 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 FalconEm serviço | Caça multifuncional | — | 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)Em serviço | Lutador | 13 | — | 13 upgraded F-5TH after one was lost in a crash on 3 December 2021 (Wikipedia list). | ||
| KAI T-50TH Golden EagleEm serviço | Lead-in fighter trainer and light attack | 14 | 2018 | — | Four ordered in 2015, eight in 2017 and two more planned for fiscal 2025: 14.
MaisWikipedia 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 WolverineEm serviço | Ataque leve | 8 | 2024 | — | Eight ordered in November 2021 for 143 million dollars. | |
| Beechcraft T-6TH Texan IIEm serviço | Instrutor básico | 12 | 2022 | — | 12 ordered in September 2020 for 162 million dollars. | |
| Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet AEm serviço | Ataque leve | 19 | 1999 | — | 25 bought in 1999; 19 listed in service by Wikipedia. Fourteen were planned for the Alpha Jet TH upgrade. | |
| Fairchild AU-23A PeacemakerEm serviço | Light attack and reconnaissance | — | — | Número não confirmado. | ||
| Saab 340 AEW&C (Erieye)Em serviço | alerta aéreo antecipado | 2 | 2012 | — | Two, deliveries completed October 2012. | |
| Lockheed C-130H / C-130H-30 HerculesEm serviço | Transporte tático | — | — | Número não confirmado. | ||
| Basler BT-67Em serviço | Transport and rainmaking | — | — | Número não confirmado. | ||
| ATR 72-600 and Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LREm serviço | Transporte | — | — | Números não confirmados. | ||
| Airbus A319CJ, A320CJ and A340-500Em serviço | Royal flight and VIP transport | — | — | Números não confirmados. | ||
| Piaggio P.180 Avanti and Diamond DA42 MPPEm serviço | Electronic intelligence and reconnaissance | — | — | Números não confirmados. | ||
| Sikorsky S-70i, S-92, Bell 412 and Airbus Helicopters EC725Em serviço | Transport, VIP and search and rescue helicopters | — | — | Números não confirmados. | ||
| PAC CT-4A, Cessna T-41D and Diamond DA40/DA42Em serviço | Primary trainers | — | — | Números não confirmados. | ||
| Aerostar BP and RTAF U-1 UAVsEm serviço | Unmanned reconnaissance | — | — | Números não confirmados. |
Sob encomenda
| Tipo | Encomendado | Primeira entrega | Notas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab JAS 39E/F GripenSob encomenda | 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.
MaisThe air force plans 12 in phases over ten years. The first delivery year was not confirmed. |
||
| Airbus C295Sob encomenda | 2 | 2029 | Ordered in May 2026 for Wing 46 at Phitsanulok; first delivery in the first half of 2029 from Seville. | |
| Airbus A330 MRTTSob encomenda | — | 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. Os números máximos representam as aeronaves incorporadas à frota ao longo de toda a sua vida útil, e não a força total da frota em uma data específica.
| Tipo | Papel | Pico | Servido | Substituído por | Notas | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros | Jato de treinamento e ataque leve | 40 | — | T-50TH | 40 built with Elbit avionics. | |
| North American Rockwell OV-10C Bronco | Counter-insurgency | 32 | 1971–2011 | Alpha Jet | 32 bought new. | |
| Martin 139W (B-10) | bombardeiro médio | 15 | 1937–1949 | — | Six bought in April 1937; nine ex-Dutch aircraft given by Japan in 1942. | |
| Nieuport monoplanes and Breguet biplanes | Primeiro avião militar | — | 1913– | — | Wikipedia’s RTAF article: four Nieuports and one Breguet; its Don Mueang article: four Nieuports and three Breguets. | |
| Vought V-93S Corsair | Reconhecimento e bombardeiro leve | — | — | — | Número não confirmado. | |
| Curtiss Hawk 75N | Lutador | — | — | — | Number not given in the sources reached. | |
| Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa | Lutador | 24 | — | — | 24 Ki-43-IIb (Wikipedia). | |
| Supermarine Spitfire FR XIV | Fighter-reconnaissance | — | — | — | Número não confirmado. | |
| Grumman F8F Bearcat | Lutador | — | — | — | Number not given in the source reached. | |
| North American F-86F Sabre | Lutador | 40 | 1962– | — | 40 (Wikipedia). | |
| Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter | Lutador | — | — | F-5E/F | Número não confirmado. | |
| North American T-28D Trojan | Counter-insurgency and trainer | — | — | — | Número não confirmado. | |
| Cessna A-37B Dragonfly | Ataque leve | 18 | 1975– | — | 16 in the 1970s and two in the 1980s; some ex-VNAF aircraft flown to Thailand in 1975. | |
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain | Transporte | — | 1951– | — | Número não confirmado. |
Where the Royal Thai Air Force flies from
Os pinos pretos representam bases ativas, os pinos ocos representam aeródromos que foram desativados. 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 | Status | Pista | Unidades e aeronaves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiang Mai Air Force BaseChiang Mai Province | VTCC | Ativo | 18/363,400 m |
|
| Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force BaseBangkok | VTBD | Ativo | 03L/21R3.700 m03R/21L3.500 m |
|
| Hat Yai Air Force BaseSongkhla Province | VTSS | Ativo | 08/263.050 mconcreto e asfalto |
|
| Kamphaeng Saen Air Force BaseNakhon Pathom Province | VTBK | Ativo | 03/212.743 mconcreto |
|
| Khok Kathiam Air Force BaseLopburiLopburi Province | VTBL | Ativo | 16/342.200 m05/231,340 mconcreto e asfalto |
|
| Korat Royal Thai Air Force BaseNakhon Ratchasima Province | VTUN | Ativo | 06/243.000 mconcreto |
|
| Phitsanulok Air Force BasePhitsanulok Province | VTPP | Ativo | 14/323.000 masphaltic concrete |
|
| Prachuap Khiri Khan Air Force BasePrachuap Khiri Khan Province | VTBP | Ativo | 08/262.000 m18/361,050 m |
|
| Surat Thani Air Force BaseSurat Thani Province | VTSB | Ativo | 04/223.000 masphaltic concrete |
|
| Takhli Royal Thai Air Force BaseNakhon Sawan Province | VTPI | Ativo | 18/363.000 mconcreto |
|
| Ubon Royal Thai Air Force BaseUbon Ratchathani Province | VTUU | Ativo | 05/233.000 masphaltic concrete |
|
| Udorn Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdon Thani Province | VTUD | Ativo | 12/303.048 m |
|
| Watthana Nakhon Air Force BaseSa Kaeo Province | VTBW | Ativo | 05/231.500 m |
|
Nenhuma base aérea corresponde a essa busca.
Who is stationed where in the Royal Thai Air Force
Unidades voadoras por base, unidades atuais primeiro. 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.
- 601 SquadronEsquadrão de transporte tático · ativo
- C-130H / C-130H-30 Hércules
- 602 Royal Flight SquadronRoyal flight and VIP transport · active
- Airbus A319CJ, Airbus A320CJ, Airbus A340-500
- 603 SquadronEsquadrão de transporte · ativo
- ATR 72-600, Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR
- 604 Civil Pilot Training SquadronEsquadrão de treinamento · ativo
- PAC CT-4A, Cessna T-41D, Diamond DA40/DA42
- 6010th and 35th Tactical Groups (US Air Force)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)
- 102 SquadronEsquadrão de caça · ativo
- F-16A/B Block 15 ADF
- 103 SquadronEsquadrão de caça · ativo
- F-16A/B Block 15 OCU
- Esquadrão 101Esquadrão · ativo
- —
- 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (US Air Force)1966–1975
- F-105D/F/G Thunderchief, F-4E and EF-4C Phantom II, A-7D Corsair II
- College Eye, Batcat and 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (US Air Force)1967–1974
- EC-121D/R Warning Star, EB-66C/E Destroyer
- 347th Tactical Fighter Wing (US Air Force)—
- F-111A
- 231 SquadronHunter · Light attack squadron · active
- Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet A
- 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (US Air Force)1966–1975
- RF-101C Voodoo, RF-4C Phantom II, F-4C/D/E Phantom II
- 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Triple Nickel" (US Air Force)1968–1974
- F-4D/E Phantom II
- Air America1955–1976
- —
- 401 SquadronLead-in fighter and light attack squadron · active
- KAI T-50TH Golden Eagle
- Esquadrão 402Esquadrão de reconhecimento · ativo
- Diamond DA42 MPP (Wikipedia’s Takhli article) or Piaggio P.180 (its RTAF article)
- 403 SquadronEsquadrão de caça · ativo
- F-16A/B MLU
- 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
- Esquadrão 411Light attack squadron · active
- Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine, Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros (retired 2021)
- 201 SquadronEsquadrão de helicópteros · ativo
- Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk, Sikorsky S-92
- Esquadrão 202Esquadrão de helicópteros · ativo
- Bell 412 SP/HP/EP
- 203 SquadronEsquadrão de helicópteros de busca e salvamento · ativo
- Airbus Helicopters EC725
- 301, 302 and 303 SquadronsUnmanned aircraft squadrons · active
- Aeronautics Aerostar BP, RTAF U-1
- 501 SquadronLight attack and reconnaissance squadron · active
- Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker
- 461 SquadronEsquadrão de transporte · ativo
- Basler BT-67, Airbus C295 (two ordered May 2026)
- 561 SquadronSquadron (forward operating base) · active
- —
- Flying Training SchoolEscola de treinamento de voo · ativa
- —
Nenhuma unidade corresponde a essa pesquisa.
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.
Every war the Royal Thai Air Force has fought
Missões e perdas onde constam nos registros, e um espaço em branco honesto onde não constam.
- Primeira Guerra Mundial 1917–1918 Sent aviators to France for training with the Allies; no Siamese air combat is recorded in the sources reached
- Franco-Thai War 1940–1941 Bombed towns, airfields and troops in French Indochina and defended Thai towns against French raids
- Japanese invasion of Thailand 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
- Korean War 1951–1971 Flew transport missions for the United Nations Command with C-47s
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 é atualizada automaticamente — novas histórias do Afterburner aparecem aqui.
Everything people ask about the Royal Thai Air Force
What is the Royal Thai Air Force called in Thai?
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?
Where is the Royal Thai Air Force Museum?
Read the aircraft the Royal Thai Air Force flew
Cada tipo com uma página no Livro das Feras, primeiro em serviço e depois pelo ano em que deixou a frota.
Todos os fatos foram verificados.
- F-16.net: Royal Thai Air ForcePeace Naresuan I–IV (54 aircraft) plus seven ex-Singapore aircraft in January 2005, 61 in all; first delivery 1988; MLU of 18 aircraft for 403 Squadron from 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: Thailand Procures Saab Gripen E/F Fighters (26 August 2025)FMV–Saab contract for three E and one F, SEK 5.3 billion, deliveries 2025–2030; 11 Gripen C/D in service.
- The Defense Post: Thailand Buys Two Airbus C295 Transport Aircraft (25 May 2026)RTAF orders two C295 for Wing 46, Phitsanulok; first delivery first half of 2029.
- The Defense Post: Thailand Says Over 100,000 Civilians Flee Clashes With Cambodia (25 July 2025)Thai F-16s scrambled to hit military targets; each side blames the other for firing first; Thai toll 15 dead.
- The Defense Post: Thailand Launches Air Strikes Against Cambodian Military (8 December 2025)Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree on aircraft strikes; Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata says Thailand attacked first.
- The Defense Post: Cambodia-Thailand Clashes Spread on Border (9 December 2025)Cambodian interior and defence ministry claims of civilian deaths and attacks near Preah Vihear temple; Thai army casualty figures.
- The Defense Post: Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Immediate Ceasefire (27 December 2025)Ceasefire from 12:00 on 27 December 2025 signed by the two defence ministers; at least 47 killed in December.
- Al Jazeera: Cambodians struggle with displaced lives amid tense ceasefire with Thailand (9 May 2026)Over 34,440 people still displaced in May 2026 (Cambodian Ministry of Interior); ceasefire of 27 December 2025 described as tense.
- Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand: published eAIPs (AIRAC 3 September 2026)Index of the Thai eAIP; the effective package is dated 3 September 2026.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBD Bangkok/Don Mueang International (civil operator AOT, joint use with the RTAF) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTUN Nakhon Ratchasima / Korat (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 1) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTUD Udon Thani (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTUU Ubon Ratchathani (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTPI Takhli (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 4) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTSB Surat Thani (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTCC Chiang Mai International (civil operator: AOT) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- 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 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTSS Hat Yai International (civil operator: AOT) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTPP Phitsanulok (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBP Prachuap Khiri Khan (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 5) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBL Lop Buri / Khok Kathiam (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 2) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBK Nakhon Pathom / Kamphaeng Saen (operator: RTAF Flying Training School) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTUW Nakhon Phanom (civil operator: Department of Airports) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- AIP Thailand, AD 2 VTBW Sa Kaeo / Watthana Nakhon (operator: Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 3) (AIRAC 3 September 2026)AD 2.2 reference point and elevation (feet converted to metres and rounded), AD 2.12 runway designators, lengths and surfaces.
- Royal Thai Air Force, Wing 1 (Korat) websiteOfficial site: Thai name กองบิน ๑; tagline "Home of the Tiger"; address in Nong Phai Lom, Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima.
Figures verified 2026-09-30. Order of Battle pages are regenerated from a single dataset; if a number here disagrees with a Book of Beasts page, this page is the more recent of the two.
Photographs: Photo: Melani R. Stemmler, U.S. Marine Corps / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · Photo: Kasom SKULTAB / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: Sorasak5492 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photo: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · Photo: Alec Wilson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Photo: Takeaway / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: DiscoA340 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photo: Tris_T7 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: RoyKabanlit / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photo: Aeroprints.com / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: Alan Wilson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)