Although Her Majesty Queen Suthida's aviation expertise has long been evident to the Thai people — having completed flight training and study programs with military institutions including the Royal Thai Air Force and the Army Aviation School, holding a European Union pilot's licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Federal Republic of Germany, and holding a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand — she is also highly proficient in operating a wide range of aircraft, such as the Cessna T-41, CT-4E, and PC-9 trainers. She has passed evaluations and tests to the highest standards, earning the EU pilot's licence from the German civil aviation authority and the Commercial Pilot Licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). She has also previously undergone jet trainer flight training on the L-39 at the Air Force Aviation School in Kamphaeng Saen District.
Yet this marks another page to be inscribed in Thai history — and indeed in world history — as Her Majesty the Queen, the cherished jewel of the land and the constant companion of the Commander-in-Chief of the Thai Armed Forces, undertakes flight training on a fighter jet: the Gripen, or Saab JAS 39 Gripen, a high-performance, multi-role fighter aircraft of the Kingdom of Sweden.
Her Majesty Queen Suthida made a private visit to stay at Ratchaprapa Dam in Surat Thani Province from 20 August to 4 September, in order to undergo Gripen flight training through a simulator in accordance with the Royal Thai Air Force's standard procedures, with the aim of progressing toward a solo flight. Expert personnel supervised and provided close guidance throughout the training at Wing 7, a fighter wing that forms part of the combat strength and is a unit directly under the Royal Thai Air Force.
Her Majesty the Queen's aviation proficiency has made a deep impression and inspired confidence among both Thai and international audiences in the image of a truly "powerful woman" — one of genuine strength and grace.
