Thailand’s Queen Suthida Pilots Her Own Plane to Japan

Suthida started flight training in 2010. She has logged nearly 1,190 flight hours and before marrying the king she worked as a Thai Airways flight attendant.

On Oct. 8, 2026 she flew a JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet alone. This made her the first reigning queen in the world to pilot a fighter jet.

On Oct. 14, 2026 she piloted a Boeing 737‑800 from Don Mueang Military Airport in Bangkok to New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. The visit, from Oct. 14‑22, was at the invitation of the IIHF president. She will give medals to athletes and she is the IIHF’s first Women’s Global Ambassador, promoting ice hockey in Thailand.

Queen Suthida shows that a royal can also be an active pilot and a sports promoter. Her flying and ice‑hockey work make her a unique figure in the world.

Suthida started flight training in 2010. She has logged nearly 1,190 flight hours and before marrying the king she worked as a Thai Airways flight attendant.

On Oct. 8, 2026 she flew a JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet alone. This made her the first reigning queen in the world to pilot a fighter jet.

Queen Suthida shows that a royal can also be an active pilot and a sports promoter. Her flying and ice‑hockey work make her a unique figure in the world.