Thai Queen Suthida completes solo Saab JAS 39C Gripen flight

On 8 October, Queen Suthida of Thailand flew solo in a Saab JAS 39C Gripen from Wing 7 in Surat Thani, with King Maha Vajiralongkorn watching and presenting her with a gold “Gripen Order” badge.

Her training at Surat Thani ran from 20 August to 4 September and again from 25 September to 8 October, covering 45 theoretical lessons, emergency procedures, and 20 mock flights, and she logged 10.13 hours on a two‑seat JAS 39D before the solo flight.

Overall, Queen Suthida’s total flight time across all aircraft now exceeds 1,188 hours, including previous flights in a Cessna T‑41D and Boeing 737s.