Royal Thai Air Force

Royal Thai Air Force
กองทัพอากาศไทย Kong Thap Akat Thai
Badge of the Royal Thai Air Force
Founded	2 November 1913; 111 years ago (1913-11-02)
Country	Thailand
Type	Air force
Role	Aerial warfare Anti-aircraft warfare
Size	46,000 active personnel[1] 469 Aircraft
Part of	Royal Thai Armed Forces
Headquarters	Don Muang Air Base, Bangkok
Nickname(s)	"ทอ." "Thor Or" Abbreviation of Air Force "ทัพฟ้า" "Thap Fah" Sky Army
Motto(s)	น่านฟ้าไทย จะมิให้ใครมาย่ำยี "The Thai airspace, none shall ever invade"
Colours	Blue
March	Thai: มาร์ชกองทัพอากาศ "Royal Thai Air Force March"
Anniversaries	9 April 1937 (Royal Thai Air Force Day)
Engagements	World War I European theatre Western Front Hundred Days Offensive Meuse–Argonne offensive Interwar period Boworadet Rebellion World War II Franco-Thai War Pacific War Japanese invasion of Thailand Battle of Prachuap Khiri Khan Malayan campaign Burma campaign Japanese invasion of Burma Burma campaign (1942–1943) Battle of Northern Burma and Western Yunnan Burma campaign (1944) Burma campaign (1944–1945) South-East Asian Theatre Bombing of Bangkok Cold War Cold War in Asia Decolonisation of Asia Korean War Malayan Emergency Indochina Wars Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Communist insurgency in Thailand Communist insurgency in Malaysia Third Indochina War Cambodian conflict (1979–1998) Cambodian–Vietnamese War Vietnamese border raids in Thailand Thai–Laotian Border War Persian Gulf War 1999 East Timorese crisis International Force East Timor War on drugs Internal conflict in Myanmar Operation Border Post 9631 2010–2012 Myanmar border clashes Global War on Terrorism Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War OEF – Afghanistan OEF – Horn of Africa 2003 Phnom Penh riots Operation Pochentong Southern Insurgency Cambodian–Thai border dispute United Nations peacekeeping UNIKOM ONUB UNTAET UNAMID UNAMA UNMIS FCU UNTAC Battle of Marawi 2023 Sudan conflict Battle of Khartoum (2023) Evacuation from Sudan (2023)
Website	rtaf.mi.th
Commanders
Commander-in-Chief	Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Flag
Aircraft flown
Electronic warfare	Saab 340 AEW&C
Fighter	JAS-39C/D, F-16, F-5, Alpha Jet
Helicopter	S-70i, Bell 412, S-92, EC725
Reconnaissance	Saab 340B, DA42 MPP, P.180 Avanti
Trainer	CT/4, T-41D, PC-9, DA42, T-50TH, T-6TH
Transport	C-130, BT-67, ATR-72, Boeing 737, A320, A340, SSJ-100-95LR

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) (Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย; RTGS: Kong Thap Akat Thai) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913 as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force has engaged in numerous major and minor conflicts. During the Vietnam War era, the RTAF was supplied with USAF-aid equipment.

Belgian pilot Charles Van Den Born performed a flying demonstration over Bangkok in January 1911, greatly impressing Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, brother of King Vajiravudh, and he even accepted an invitation for a flight. Chakrabongse sent three army officers to France, who began flight training at Vélizy-Villacoublay in July 1912. The officers became qualified aviators a year later. Soon after, Sra Pathum airfield was established along with a temporary hangar to house planes and also host flight training. In late 1913, the three new aviators returned home after arranging for the purchase of four Nieuport monoplanes and a Bréguet biplane. The aviation section put on a demonstration in January 1914, gaining the support of the King and a permanent aviation group was established and an air base at Don Muang was assigned, as the Royal Aeronautical Service, under Army control. ^{[2][3] [4]}

Siam entered World War I with the Allies in July 1917, and a Siamese Expeditionary Force of around 1,200 men was sent to France, arriving in June 1918. Among them were 370 pilots and groundcrew, including more than 100 officers who were sent to flight school first at Istres and Avord, and then at Istres, Le Crotoy, La Chapelle-la-Reine, Biscarosse and Piox. Eventually, The 95 pilots who qualified as military aviators flew a few operational sorties in the closing weeks of the war but suffered no casualties, nor scored any kills. Their training did mean that Siam entered the post-World War I period with one of the best equipped and trained air forces in Asia.^[5][6]

In the 1930s the Royal Aeronautical Service began to replace French aircraft with American designs, purchasing more than 95 aircraft, including the Boeing P-12E, Curtiss Hawks, and Vought Corsairs. The air force was formally separated into its own branch, the Royal Siamese Air Force, in April 1937 and five operational wings were established. In 1939, when Siam became Thailand, the service was renamed the Royal Thai Air Force.^[3] At the end of 1940, the RTAF once again saw combat, this time in the Franco-Thai War, a border conflict against French Indochina. The RTAF operated in the Mekong Delta, attacking ground forces and gunboats and defending against French bombing raids, until a ceasefire was arranged in January 1941. Later that year, on 7 December, Thailand was invaded by Japan. The RTAF took an active role in the resistance. Combat Wings 1 and 5 engaged significantly more advanced Japanese aircraft over Thailand's eastern border, but suffered heavy losses, including almost 30 percent of Wing 5, before a cease-fire took effect the following day.^[7]

The Air Force is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force (ผู้บัญชาการทหารอากาศไทย). The Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters is located in Don Muang Airbase, Bangkok, Thailand.

The RTAF consists of headquarters and five groups: command, combat, support, education and training, and special services.^[8]

• Royal Flight Aircraft Administrative Center
• Royal Flight Helicopter Administrative Center
• Air Warfare Center
• Office of Public Sector Development, RTAF
• Office of Intellectual Development, RTAF

• RTAF Secretariat
• Directorate of Administrative Service
• Directorate of Personnel
• Directorate of Intelligence
• Directorate of Operations
• Directorate of Logistics
• Directorate of Civil Affairs
• Directorate of Information and Communications Technology
• Office of the RTAF Comptroller
• Directorate of Finance
• Directorate of Inspector General
• Office of RTAF Internal Audit
• Office of RTAF Safety
• Office of RTAF Judge Advocate

The Royal Thai Air Force Combat Group is divided into 11 wings plus a training school, plus a few direct-reporting units.^[8]

Wing	Role	Province	Base	Notes
Directorate of Air Operations Control
Security Force Command
Space Operation Center
Royal Thai Air Force Academy	Training
Flying Training School	Training	Nakhon Pathom	Kamphang Saen	Composed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Flying Training Squadrons
Wing 1	Interceptor/fighter	Nakhon Ratchasima	Korat
Wing 2	Helicopter transport/SAR	Lopburi	Khok Kathiam
Wing 3	Unmanned aerial vehicle	Sa Kaeo	Watthana Nakhon
Wing 4	Light attack/interceptor	Nakhon Sawan	Takhli
Wing 5	Transport/special mission	Prachuap Khiri Khan	Prachuap Khiri Khan
Wing 6	Non-combat multi-role	Bangkok	Don Muang	Provides transport, mapping, communications, surveying
Wing 7	Interceptor/fighter	Surat Thani	Surat Thani	Nicknamed "Ferocious Shark of the Andaman" and "House of Gripen" as they fly Gripen aircraft.[9][10]
Wing 21	Interceptor	Ubon Ratchathani	Ubon Ratchathani
Wing 23	Attack	Udon Thani	Udon
Wing 41	Light attack	Chiang Mai	Chiang Mai
Wing 46	Transport/rainmaking	Phitsanulok	Phitsanulok
Wing 56	Forward operating base	Songkhla	Hat Yai

The following squadrons are currently active with the Royal Thai Air Force.^[8]

Squadron	Equipment	Wing	RTAF Base	Notes
101st Fighter Squadron	-	Wing 1	Korat
102nd Fighter Squadron	F16A/B Block 15 ADF	Wing 1	Korat
103rd Fighter Squadron	F-16A/B Block 15 OCU	Wing 1	Korat
201 Helicopter Squadron	S-70i, S-92	Wing 2	Khok Ka Thiam	Former Royal Guard
202 Helicopter Squadron	Bell 412/SP/HP/EP	Wing 2	Khok Ka Thiam
203 Helicopter Squadron	EC 725	Wing 2	Khok Ka Thiam	SAR detachments at many locations. UH-1H replaced by EC 725[11]
301 UAV Squadron	Aerostar BP, RTAF U-1	Wing 3	Watthana Nakhon
302 UAV Squadron	Aerostar BP, RTAF U-1	Wing 3	Watthana Nakhon
303 UAV Squadron	Aerostar BP, RTAF U-1	Wing 3	Watthana Nakhon
401 Light Attack Squadron	T-50TH	Wing 4	Takhli
402 Elint Reconnaissance Squadron	P.180 Avanti	Wing 4	Takhli
403 Fighter Squadron	F-16AM/BM Block 20 MLU	Wing 4	Takhli
501 Light Attack Squadron	Fairchild AU-23	Wing 5	Prachuap Khiri Khan
601 Transport Squadron	C-130H/H-30	Wing 6	Don Muang
602 Royal Flight Squadron	A319CJ, A320CJ, A340-500	Wing 6	Don Muang	Former Royal Guard
603 Transport Squadron	ATR72-600, SSJ100-95LR	Wing 6	Don Muang
604 Civil Pilot Training Squadron	PAC CT-4A, T-41D, Diamond DA42	Wing 6	Don Muang
Dechochai 3 Flight Unit	B737-400, B737-800	Wing 6	Don Muang	Royal Flight Unit
701 Fighter Squadron	JAS-39 C/D	Wing 7	Surat Thani	Total 12 Gripens delivered (4 Gripen D and 8 Gripen C),[12] replacing F-5E/F.[13][14]
702 Air Control Squadron	Saab 340, S-100B Argus	Wing 7	Surat Thani	Saab 340 70201 and S-100B Argus AEW 70202[15]
211 Fighter Squadron	F-5TH Super Tigris	Wing 21	Ubon
231 Attack Squadron	Alpha Jet A	Wing 23	Udorn
411 Fighter Squadron		Wing 41	Chiang Mai	To be replaced by AT-6TH[16]
461 Transport Squadron	Basler BT-67	Wing 46	Phitsanulok	Also conducts rainmaking flights.
561 Fighter Squadron	-	Wing 56	Hat Yai	Forward operating base for 701 Fighter Sqn.
904 Aggressor Squadron	F-5E	-	Don Muang	Former unit of King Vajiralongkorn Mahidol.
1st Flying Training Squadron	PAC CT/4E	Flying Training School	Kamphang Saen	Primary flight training.
2nd Flying Training Squadron	Pilatus PC-9M	Flying Training School	Kamphang Saen	Basic flight training.
3rd Flying Training Squadron	Eurocopter EC135T3H	Flying Training School	Kamphang Saen	Helicopter training.

• Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering
• Directorate of Communications and Electronics
• Directorate of Armament
• Directorate of Quartermaster
• Directorate of Civil Engineering
• Directorate of Transportation
• RTAF Software Center

First set up in 1913 in the same year as the Air Force, providing nursing services only, and over the years has gradually expanded. It operates Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital and Royal Thai Air Force Hospital in Bangkok, as well as smaller hospitals at each wing. The directorate has made a teaching agreement with the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University to train students at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, accepting about 30 students per academic year.

The Chief of the Air Force has envisioned and identified weaknesses in procurement software, which include limitations regarding copyright usage, maintenance, envisioning obstacles, and expanding usage to cover and cater to the needs of the Air Force. Consequently, there has been an initiation to ethically software development, independently, for the first time. This encompasses care from artificial intelligence systems, Big Data, Avionics software, strategic planning software, and support technology for the future, leading to the ISO 29110 software development standard. This initiative has also propelled the consideration to establish a comprehensive software-focused unit within the Air Force.

• Directorate of Education and Training
• Air War College
• Air Command and Staff College
• Senior Air Officer School
• Squadron Officer School
• Officer Training School
• Academy Instructor School
• Non-Commissioned Officer School
• Air Technical Training School
• RTAF Language Center
• Personal Testing Center
• Technical Service Division
• Chaplain Division
• Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy

• Research and Development Center for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology
• Directorate of Welfare
• Office of Don Mueang RTAF Base Commander
• Institute of Aviation Medicine

The RTAF Security Force Command (Thai: หน่วยบัญชาการอากาศโยธิน) is a Division size unit in the Royal Thai Air Force. It has been in existence since 1937. They are based near Don Mueang International Airport. The RTAF Security Force Command is the main air force ground forces and special forces which providing light infantry for anti-hijacking capabilities, protecting air bases and high value assets, protecting international airport in insurgent areas. It also serves as the Royal Thai Air Force Special Operations Regiment (RTAF SOR) which consists of various units such as Combat Control Team (CCT), Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).^[17] Royal Thai Air Force Security Force Command consist of 3 main regiments and multiple support units. Additionally, one separated air base protection battalions and one separated anti-aircraft battalions are station in each air bases.

The Royal Thai Air Force maintains a number of modern bases which were constructed between 1954 and 1968, have permanent buildings and ground support equipment.

All but one were built and used by United States forces until their withdrawal from Thailand in 1976 when the RTAF took over the installations at Takhli and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). In the late 1980s, these bases and Don Muang Air Base outside Bangkok, which the air force shares with civil aviation, remain the primary operational installations.

Maintenance of base facilities abandoned by the United States (Ubon, Udorn) proved costly and exceeded Thai needs; they were turned over to the Department of Civil Aviation for civil use. Nonetheless, all runways were still available for training and emergency use.

By 2004 the Royal Thai Air Force had its main base at Don Muang airport, adjacent to Don Mueang International Airport. The RTAF also had large air fields and facilities at Nakon Ratchasima Ubon Ratchathani, and Takhli.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	In service	Notes
Combat aircraft
Alpha Jet	France / Germany	Light attack aircraft	Alpha Jet A	18[18]
AT-6 Texan II	United States	Light attack aircraft	AT-6E	2	6+4 on order
F-5 Tiger II	United States	Light fighter	F-5TH/THF Super Tigris	11/2	Flown by 211 Squadron, Wing 21, Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base[19][20]
F-16 Fighting Falcon	United States	Multirole combat aircraft	F-16A/B Block 15 ADF	11/1	Flown by 102 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
			F-16A/B Block 15 OCU	12/6	Flown by 103 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
			F-16AM/BM Block 20 MLU	12/6	Flown by 403 Squadron, Wing 4, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base[21]
JAS 39 Gripen	Sweden	Multirole combat aircraft	JAS 39C	7
			JAS 39D	4	Also provide conversion training[18]
JAS 39 Gripen	Sweden	Multirole combat aircraft	JAS 39E	0(+8)	12-14 Gripen E/F's have been selected to replace the F-16A/B Block 15 ADFs of the 102 Squadron, Wing 1[22]. However, no orders have taken place.[23]
			JAS 39F	0(+4)	Also provide conversion training[18]
AEW&C
Saab 340 AEW&C	Sweden	Early warning and control	S 100B	2[18]	aircraft mounted with an ERIEYE radar.
Transport
Airbus A319	Germany	VIP transport	ACJ319	1[24]
Airbus A320	France	VIP transport	ACJ320	2[25]
Airbus A340	France	VIP transport	A340-500	1[26]
Basler BT-67	United States	transport		8[18]	Modified DC-3 with PT6A Turboprop engines.
Boeing 737	United States	VIP transport		1[27]
C-130 Hercules	United States	transport	C-130H	12[18]
Diamond DA42	Austria	transport / reconnaissance		11[18]
Piaggio P.180	Italy	transport / reconnaissance		1[18]
Pilatus PC-6	Switzerland	transport		14[18]
Saab 340	Sweden	transport		5[18]
Sukhoi Superjet 100	Russia	VIP transport		3[28]
Helicopters
Bell 412	United States	utility		5[18]
Eurocopter EC725	France	CSAR / utility		12[18]
Sikorsky S-70	United States	VIP / utility	S-70i	5
Sikorsky S-92	United States	VIP transport		2[18]
Trainer aircraft
Airbus H135	France	rotorcraft trainer		6[18]
Diamond DA42	Austria	multi-engine trainer		18[18]
Pilatus PC-9	Switzerland	trainer		19[18]
T-6 Texan II	United States	advanced trainer	T-6C		12 on order[18]
T-50 Golden Eagle	Republic of Korea	LIFT	T-50TH	14	2 on order[18]

Name	Origin	Type	Notes
Air-to-air missile
Python 4/3	Israel	beyond-visual-range missile	120 obtained[29]
AIM-120C AMRAAM	United States	beyond-visual-range missile	initial 50 missiles[29]
AIM-9E/J/P/M Sidewinder	United States	short range infrared homing missile	600 missiles obtained[29]
IRIS-T	Germany	short range infrared homing missile	40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor[29]
Air-to-surface missile
RBS-15F	Sweden	anti-ship missile	25 missiles obtained[29]
AGM-65D/G Maverick	United States	infrared imaging AGM	200 missiles obtained[29]

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	On order	Notes
Combat aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen	Sweden	Multirole combat aircraft	JAS 39E/F	(+12)	12 Gripen E/F's have been selected to replace the F-16s of 102 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base[30] However, order not yet approved by government.
F-5/Alpha Jet replacement	Unknown	Multirole combat aircraft	Unknown	Unknown	Set to begin with FY2031 budget.
403 Squadron F-16 replacement	Unknown	Multirole combat aircraft	Unknown	Unknown	Set to begin with FY2036 budget.
Transport aircraft
Airbus A340-500 replacement	Unknown	VIP Transport	Unknown	Unknown	Set to begin with FY2025 budget.
Basler BT-67 replacement	Unknown	Transport	Unknown	Unknown	Set to begin with FY2031 budget.
ATR 72-500 replacement	Unknown	Transport	Unknown	Unknown	Set to begin with FY2031 budget.
Helicopter
Sikorsky S-70	United States	VIP / utility	S-70i	Unknown	Medium Sized VIP Helicopter acquisition. Set to begin with FY2025 budget.

RTAF budgets are shown below by fiscal year (FY):^[31]

FY	Million (baht)	% GDP
2018	39,931	0.243%
2019	41,609	0.237%
2020	42,539	0.240%
2021	40,081[32]

Rank group	General/flag officers										Senior officers						Junior officers
Royal Thai Air Force[33] v t e
	จอมพลอากาศ Chom phon akat		พลอากาศเอก Phon akat ek		พลอากาศโท Phon akat tho		พลอากาศตรี Phon akat tri				นาวาอากาศเอก Nawa akat ek		นาวาอากาศโท Nawa akat tho		นาวาอากาศตรี Nawa akat tri		เรืออากาศเอก Ruea akat ek		เรืออากาศโท Ruea akat tho			เรืออากาศตรี Ruea akat tri

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Royal Thai Air Force[33] v t e																																			No insignia
	พันจ่าอากาศเอก Phan cha akat ek						พันจ่าอากาศโท Phan cha akat tho		พันจ่าอากาศตรี Phan cha akat tri								จ่าอากาศเอก Cha akat ek						จ่าอากาศโท Cha akat tho						จ่าอากาศตรี Cha akat tri						พลทหาร Phon thahan

1919 — 1940 1945 — present	1940 — 1941	1941 — 1945

1919 — 1941 1945 — present	1941 — 1945

The Siam Cup BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) International tournament was held at the Show DC stadium in Bangkok from 2017 in cooperation with the Arete BJJ dōjō, hosted by the Royal Thai Air Force.^{[34][35][36][37][38]} Each year, the tournament brings together more than 400 fighters from more than 50 countries to compete.^[39][40][41] The Siam Cup BJJ 2021 was scheduled to take place on May 8, but due to restrictions imposed for COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic, the Thai government temporarily postponed all sporting events.^[42]

• Royal Thai Air Force Museum
• Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
• Military of Thailand
• Royal Thai Army
• Royal Thai Navy
• Royal Thai Police
• Napa-1

Notes

Bibliography

• Media related to Royal Thai Air Force at Wikimedia Commons
• RTAF Official website (English version)
• Royal Thai Air Force Whitebook on Gripen program (Thai)
• Royal Thai Air Force Press Release on Gripen program (Eng)^{[permanent dead link‍]}
• Royal Thai Air Force VDO on Gripen program (Thai)
• Royal Thai Air Force Museum Many Historical Aircraft Here (English Page available)
• Reports with drawings and pictures about the Royal Thai Air Force
• Early history of the Airports of Thailand Authority
• Japanese Aircraft In Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Navy Service During WWII at j-aircraft.com