Thai King Personally Pilots Royal Jet Into Rainy Hanoi
Thai King Personally Pilots Royal Jet Into Rainy Hanoi
HANOI, Sept. 16, 2026 — Heavy rain greeted Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn as he personally piloted the royal aircraft into Hanoi for a historic state visit, putting his aviation experience to work as the Boeing 737-800 landed safely at Noi Bai International Airport.
The 74-year-old King took the captain’s seat aboard the royal Boeing 737-800 on September 14, with Queen Suthida serving as co-pilot. The aircraft arrived in Hanoi in rainy weather, with Vietnamese reports showing the royal couple working together in the cockpit during the approach and landing.
The arrival offered a striking demonstration of the King’s long aviation background. Maha Vajiralongkorn received military pilot training and has experience flying both military and civilian aircraft. He is qualified on several aircraft types, including the F-5, F-16 and Boeing 737, according to reports on his aviation career.
Queen Suthida also brought aviation experience to the cockpit. Before joining the military, she worked as a flight attendant and holds pilot qualifications. She sat beside the King as the aircraft made its approach to Hanoi.
Despite the wet conditions, the royal aircraft landed safely and on schedule at Noi Bai. Vietnamese media reported light rain at the airport at the time of arrival, while footage showed the King and Queen in the cockpit before the aircraft touched down.
The flight was more than a routine arrival: it marked the beginning of the first state visit to Vietnam by a Thai King and Queen since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976. The royal couple are visiting Vietnam from September 14–16 at the invitation of General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife.
The visit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Thailand-Vietnam diplomatic relations, with both governments seeking to further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
For the Thai King, however, the journey to Hanoi also provided a highly visible reminder of his unusual role as a serving monarch with extensive aviation experience — personally taking the controls as rain fell over the Vietnamese capital.
