Thailand's Queen Suthida flies fighter jet solo

Queen Suthida successfully completed her first solo flight in a JAS 39 C Gripen fighter jet on Thursday, becoming Thailand's first female Gripen pilot. The flight was part of her conversion training programme for the Gripen fighter jet, which she undertook at the invitation of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Following the successful solo flight, King Maha Vajiralongkorn presented the Queen with a bouquet of flowers and placed the Golden Gripen Order Patch on her left upper arm. The Royal Thai Air Force said the Queen’s participation in the training programme was also intended to boost morale and confidence among its personnel.