Editor’s Note: This is part one of our two-part coverage of the Royal Thai Air Force Children’s Day Open House 2025. Part 2 can be viewed here.
01. RTAF JAS-39C Gripen flies over a row of Thailand flags.
On 11 January 2025, Thailand celebrated its National Children’s Day (Wan Dek Haeng Chati, Thai: วันเด็กแห่งชาติ). The public holiday takes place on the second Saturday of January each year and is a festive occasion where children, the future of the country, are honoured through a wide range of activities, fairs, giveaways and promotions. Many families take their children on educational visits to destinations such as government institutions, museums, zoos and amusement parks, igniting a sense of wonder and exploration in young minds.
As per annual tradition, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the motto for “Wan Dek 2568 B.E.” (C.E Year 2025) to be “Every opportunity is a learning experience – be ready to adapt to the future you choose.” The Prime Minister emphasised the rapidly changing world and the need for young people keep an open mind so that they will be ready to embrace the future.
RTAF Open House
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF, Kong Thap Akat Thai, Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย) announced the opening of its bases nationwide for National Children’s Day one month prior to the occasion. The open house events typically feature aerial displays, static displays, exhibitions and cultural performances which instil patriotism and inspire youths to pursue a pathway in aviation technology.
The main show, organised by Squadron 601, Wing 6, took place at Don Muang Air Force Base (DMK), Bangkok, which is easily accessible via BTS Skytrain and connected to the RTAF National Aviation Museum via shuttle buses catered for the event. This year, RTAF worked with Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) to plan multiple 15-minute airspace closure windows from 9 to 11 January to facilitate rehearsals and event day aerial displays of F-16, Gripen and AT-6TH aircraft. Notably, this was the first public aerial demonstration of the AT-6TH since its official induction in July 2024. RTAF also received support from more than 95 government and private agencies and mobilised 2,273 personnel from 28 units.
Due to increased scale compared to the previous year, the open house in Don Muang was well-received, attracting over 80,000 visitors. Combined with attendance at the adjacent RTAF National Aviation Museum, total visitor numbers exceeded 160,000.
Continuing our tradition, the MAphotoSG team kicks off each new year with a visit to the RTAF Children’s Day Open House. This year, we feature Wing 6 – Don Muang Air Force Base and Wing 23 – Udon Thani Air Force Base in a two-part article. Once again, we appreciate the Thais for their warmth and hospitality, which is what make this event so charming and unique.
02. RTAF, celebrating its 88th anniversary this year, is currently reviewing its strategy for the next stage of growth. Plans include the acquisition of Gripen E/Fs and the integration of a space arm. 03. Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, warmly welcomed visitors to the open house.04. Students from the Royal Thai Air Force Nursing College greet children with mascots and gifts. 05. Don Mueang Airport, opened in 1914, is the oldest operating airport in Asia. The eastern half of the airfield is reserved for military use, housing RTAF Wing 6. The Wing’s motto is “Valour without arms.”
AT-6TH Wolverine – Solo Demonstration
06. Eight Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverines were ordered in 2021 to replace the L-39ZA/ART Albatros at Wing 41, Chiang Mai Air Base. Induction began in July 2024, making RTAF the first foreign operator of the type.07. Performing walkaround checks. Located underneath the fuselage is the WESCAM MX-15Di electro-optic/infrared (EO/IO) target designating system.08. The remaining six of eight AT-6THs are assembled at the Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) facility at Wing 4, Takhli Air Base. This is part of RTAF’s S-Curve 11 strategy to promote development of the domestic defence industry while modernising key capabilities. 09. Pilots in the AT-6TH wave to the crowd during the initial pass.10. Demonstrating a low and quiet approach with gear extended. The reduced noise pollution has benefitted residents near Wing 41 since the type’s induction. 11. The AT-6TH has superior performance and handling characteristics, owing to its original design as a trainer. It can reach speeds of up to 316 knots and has a flight ceiling of 31,000 feet.12. Flying over the Saab Giraffe air search radar while demonstrating its close air support capability with a dive towards a simulated target. 13. Recovering via runway 21L of Don Mueang Airport after a successful demonstration.14. Despite being displayed in a clean configuration, hardpoints under the AT-6TH’s wing can accommodate FN HMP400 machine gun pods and Hydra 70 rocket pods, giving it non-traditional capabilities ideal for internal defence missions. 15. A glass cockpit, F-16 HOTAS and A-10C Combat Mission System are some of the features integrated to suit the AT-6TH’s multi-mission needs.
F-16A OCU – Solo Demonstration
16. Conducting walkaround checks and inspecting the engine intake for foreign debris.17. The F-16A “Lightning Demo” is piloted by “Piglet” from 103 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Air Base, featuring a unique helmet design.18. The pilot signals the test of the secondary engine control (SEC) mode after start-up.19. The nozzle position closes when testing the SEC mode.20. Awaiting the scheduled display timing after completion of engine start procedure.21. The display begins with a low take-off with full afterburners.22. Take-off is immediately followed by a 90-degree turn away from the crowd, showcasing the F-16’s raw power.23. The pilot waves to the crowd during the high-alpha pass.24. At the top of a half Cuban-8 manoeuvre.25. Ending the display with a vertical zoom.26. Surprising spectators with a sneak pass from the rear.27. The F-16A touches down as golfers watch from Kantarat Golf Course. It is the only golf course in the world sandwiched between two highly operational runways. 28. Taxiing back to the apron, with buildings from the Lak Si district visible in the distance.29. A huge crowd gathers to interact with pilots of the 103 Squadron after the F-16A demo. 30. Pilot of the F-16A demo signs autographs.
JAS-39C Gripen – Solo Demonstration
31. The JAS-39C demo is piloted by “Mynas” from 701 Squadron, Wing 7, Surat Thani Air Base. 32. The crew chief sends off the Gripen with a salute.33. Flight crew greeting the Gripen as it taxis to the runway to commence the display.34. A low take-off transitioning to a Derry turn.35. Inverted pass with fuel dumping.36. Leaving spectacular trails in the sky with the high-G turn.37. Completing a half-loop off the top of the Immelmann turn. 38. Knife-edge pass, showcasing the unique delta wing and canard configuration of the Gripen.39. Performing the triple aileron roll. 40. Commentators turning their attention to the high alpha pass.41. The Gripens in Wing 7 are also nicknamed the “Ferocious Shark of the Andaman”, evident from the bottom profile of the multirole fighter. 42. Ending the demonstration with a vertical zoom.43. On final approach to Don Mueang Airport runway 21L.44. Keeping hands off the controls as chocks are placed to secure the aircraft for shutdown.
Static Display
45. Saab JAS-39D Gripen (70102). Operated by 701 Fighter Squadron, Surat Thani Air Base. 46. Saab JAS-39C Gripen (70107). Operated by 701 Fighter Squadron, Surat Thani Air Base. 47. General Dynamics F-16A OCU (10312). Operated by 103 Fighter Squadron, Korat Air Base. 48. Fairchild AU-23 Peacemaker (42085). Operated by 501 Squadron,, Prachuap Khiri Khan Air Base.49. KAI T-50TH Golden Eagle (40111). Operated by 401 Squadron, Takhli Air Base.50. Northrop F-5TH Super Tigris. Operated by 211 Fighter Squadron, Ubon Ratchathani Air Base.51. Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk (704104). Operated by 201 Squadron, Khok Ka Thiam Air Base.52. Airbus Helicopters EC725 Caracal (20311). Operated by 203 Squadron, Khok Ka Thiam Air Base.53. Airbus A340-541 (60204, HS-TYV). Operated by 602 Squadron, Don Muang Air Base.54. Saab 340 (70206). Operated by 702 Air Control Squadron, Surat Thani Air Base.55. ATR 72-600 (60303). Operated by 603 Squadron, Don Muang Air Base.56. Basler BT-67 (46159). Operated by 461 Squadron, Phitsanulok Air Base.57. Lockheed C-130H Hercules (60104). Operated by 601 Squadron, Don Muang Air Base.58. Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, speaks to children at the static display area.59. Qian Wei-2 surface-to-air missile. Procured from CPMIEC in 2006, it is used for Very-Short Range Air Defence (V-SHORAD).60. Dual barrel Type 74 37mm anti-aircraft gun. Produced by Norinco Company, it has been in active service with RTAF since 1988.61. Cockpit of the PAC CT/4B Airtrainer (60457). Operated by 604 Squadron, Don Muang Air Base.62. The apron of Wing 6, offering a glimpse of other aircraft types based here, such as the A320.
Airfield Movements
63. The open day event gave enthusiasts the rare opportunity to observe airfield movements throughout the day. Apart from the constant stream of commercial traffic, there were also military movements, such as a C-130H-30 (60111) seen headed to Pattani as “Lucky 623”.64. Royal Thai Army Aviation Embraer ERJ-135 (1124) departing as “Matulee 124”.65. The F-5TH is pusbacked shortly after the last aerial display slot, kickstarting the eagerly-awaited departure sequence of static display aircraft back to their respective bases. 66. The engine start for the F-5 is a tedious process, requiring an external air cart. Here, the flight line crew is disconnecting the ground air supply from the second (left) engine after a successful start-up. 67. The pilot of the F-5TH, callsign “Aguila”, greets spectators enthusiastically. 68. The final set of checks involve extending the nose strut and trimming the aircraft for take-off. The full hiking of the nose strut adds approximately 3 degrees to the F-5’s angle of attack, shortening the take-off run.69. Aircrew of the AU-23A Peacemaker manually pushback their aircraft in preparation for departure. 70. Signalling for engine start. The Peacemaker is a workhorse of the RTAF, in service since 1972 after being transferred from the U.S. following the Vietnam War.71. Preparing for taxi. The Peacemaker is a derivative of the Pilatus PC-6 Porter and RTAF is the last active operator of this variant.72. Flight line crew conducting pushback of the T-50TH, seen from the visor reflection on the flight helmet.73. Pilot of the T-50TH checks the switch states in the rear cockpit before conducting the walkaround.74. Inspecting the flight control surfaces during walkaround checks.75. Aircrew configuring instruments and displays for taxi. The T-50TH features a glass cockpit, a BAE systems heads-up-display for the pilot and Honeywell multifunction displays for both stations.76. A large crowd gathers to watch start-up sequence, as a young child covers his ears to shield the loud noise from the engine.77. The T-50TH lifts off from runway 21.78. A Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II taxis for the short flight to its base in Kamphaeng Saen, which the MAphotoSG team visited last year.79. The Basler BT-67 prepares for taxi. Large windows and tail-dragger configuration are reminiscent of warbirds from the past. 80. The BT-67s are remanufactured DC-3s, the conversion process involving structural upgrades and change of engines. This airframe started its life with the U.S. Army Air Force as a C-47B in 1945.81. An AirAsia A321neo takes-off, providing a picture-perfect moment to showcase the contrast between transport aircraft designs of the past and present.82. F-16A taxis out for departure. This particular airframe is among the oldest in the fleet, part of the first batch of F-16s acquired under Peace Naresuan I in 1988.83. Pilot of the F-16A demo, “Piglet”, bids the crowd farewell as he brings the aircraft home.84. Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk awaiting a departure slot as commercial traffic picks up in the evening.85. ATR 72-600 (60301) heads to Chiang Mai as “Cowboy 04”.86. Cadillac Gage Commando, operated by the RTAF Security Force Command. 87. Aero L-39ZA Albatros (40111). Retired in 2021, the airframe now resides as a gate guard at the Officer Training School, Directorate of Education and Training at Wing 6, Don Muang Air Base.88. As the crowd disperses, RTAF personnel conclude a hard day’s work, their dedication ensuring another successful Children’s Day Open House.
