Queen Suthida flew a royal Boeing 737-800 to Hokkaido for a nine-day visit linked to the 2027 IIHF Women’s Asia Championship, days after completing a solo flight in a fighter jet.
Thailand’s Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana piloted a royal aircraft to Japan on 14 October for a visit that combines official duties with her support for women’s ice hockey.
The queen travelled from Don Mueang Military Airport in Bangkok to New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, arriving at 10.05 am local time. The aircraft was identified by iNews as a Boeing 737-800.
Her visit, scheduled to run from 14 to 22 October, is linked to the 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s Asia Championship in Sapporo. She is expected to attend the tournament and present medals and trophies to competing athletes.
Following her arrival, Queen Suthida also drove herself to her hotel in Sapporo, according to the reports.
Queen Suthida Supports Women’s Ice Hockey in Thailand
The queen’s visit to Japan follows an invitation from the IIHF president, recognising her role as the federation’s first Women’s Global Ambassador.
Her involvement reflects her interest in developing ice hockey in Thailand. According to Thai PBS, she has attended ice hockey events in Thailand and Italy and has supported the sport both as a participant and an advocate.
The 2027 IIHF Women’s Asia Championship provides an opportunity for the queen to continue her involvement in the sport while carrying out her official responsibilities in Japan.
The visit also comes amid growing public attention towards her aviation experience. On 8 October, Queen Suthida completed her first solo flight in a JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet in the presence of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, according to the reports.
The flight was reported as a milestone, making her the first reigning queen in the world to pilot a fighter jet.
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From Thai Airways Cabin Crew to Experienced Pilot
Queen Suthida’s aviation background predates her marriage to King Maha Vajiralongkorn in 2019. She previously worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways and began flight training in 2010.
She has accumulated nearly 1,190 flight hours. She has also served as the king’s co-pilot on royal journeys, including a flight to Bhutan that landed at Paro International Airport, which is known for its challenging approach.
In September, the Thai king and queen also flew their own aircraft to Hanoi, Vietnam, for a state visit.
Her latest flight to Japan adds to her record of aviation involvement while highlighting her role in promoting women’s ice hockey internationally. The visit is scheduled to conclude on 22 October, with the queen expected to attend championship events and present awards to the athletes.
Cover: RoyalOffice.th
