Thailand’s Queen Suthida flew her royal Boeing 737 back to Bangkok after an eight-day visit to Japan, where she promoted women’s ice hockey as IIHF Global Ambassador. She is a licensed pilot with over 1,180 flight hours and previously was a flight attendant.
Key Points
- Thailand’s Queen Suthida piloted a Boeing 737 back to Bangkok after an eight-day visit to Japan, fulfilling her role as Global Ambassador of the IIHF.
- During her trip, she promoted women’s ice hockey in Hokkaido, met athletes, and presented awards at the 2027 IIHF Women’s Asia Championship.
- Queen Suthida, a former flight attendant with an airline transport pilot license, has over 1,180 flight hours and completed a training flight on a fighter jet earlier in October.
Queen Suthida’s Royal Engagement in Japan
Queen Suthida of Thailand recently completed an eight-day visit to Japan, where she played an active role as the Global Ambassador of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Her trip included attending events dedicated to promoting women’s ice hockey, amid her participation in the buildup towards the 2027 IIHF Women’s Asia Championship.
Noteworthy engagements during her visit took place in Sapporo, Hokkaido, where the queen interacted with athletes and presented awards, underscoring her commitment to the sport and representation of Thailand on an international platform. The conclusion of her visit came on October 22, marking a significant diplomatic and cultural exchange.
A Remarkable Flight Experience
Following her engagements, Queen Suthida demonstrated her piloting skills by taking the controls of a royal Boeing 737 to fly back to Bangkok. This flight, lasting eight hours and landing at Don Mueang Military Airport, saw her serve as captain, underscoring her capabilities as a trained pilot.
Having previously flown the delegation to Japan on October 14, she surprised airport officials by emerging from the cockpit upon arrival at their destination. This exercise not only highlights her recent participation in aviation but also reinforces her background, as she was a flight attendant for Thai Airways before joining the royal family, holding an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) and over 1,180 flight hours.
A Commitment to Excellence
The queen’s recent activities reflect her continuous dedication to both her royal duties and personal passions, particularly in aviation and sports promotion. Earlier in October, she further showcased her flying prowess by completing a training flight on a Royal Thai Air Force JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet. This dual commitment to her royal responsibilities and professional skills presents a modern image of monarchy, wherein Queen Suthida balances traditional roles with contemporary interests in aviation and women’s sports. Such initiatives not only enhance the visibility of women in high-performance roles but also contribute to a progressive outlook for the Thai royal family in global contexts.
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