The 2025 budget bill includes provisions for acquiring a new VIP aircraft costing 12 billion baht and two mid-sized helicopters for important passengers at a total of 3.3 billion baht.
These aircraft are intended to support training programs and various activities, all under the supervision of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).
According to RTAF commander-in-chief ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul, the new VIP aircraft is set to replace the aging Airbus 304, scheduled for decommissioning in 2029. This acquisition aims to fulfill the country’s need for a long-haul aircraft to cater to important passengers and provide aid during crises like wars or disasters.
Furthermore, the VIP plane is slated to serve the prime minister and the cabinet, eliminating the reliance on chartered aircraft. Recently, the current Airbus 340-500 was utilized to evacuate Thai workers from Israel and Sudan, safely returning them to Thailand.
The two VIP helicopters may also be utilized for search and rescue operations and other emergency services, pending a decision on the specific models to be acquired based on the approved budget, as mentioned by ACM Punpakdee.
