Thailand's Queen Suthida pilots royal aircraft to Japan

Thai Queen Suthida personally piloted a royal aircraft to Japan on Oct. 14 for a nine-day visit to attend the 2027 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Ice Hockey Women's Asia Championship.

Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana flew the aircraft to Sapporo, where she is scheduled to present medals and trophies to athletes competing in the tournament, Thailand's Government Public Relations Department said.

The royal aircraft departed from Don Mueang Military Airport in Bangkok and landed at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido at 10:05 a.m. local time on Oct. 14. The queen then drove herself to her hotel in Sapporo.

Queen Suthida receives flowers as she arrives at New Chitose Airport, Oct. 14, 2026. Photo by Thailand’s Government Public Relations Department

The visit, scheduled for Oct. 14-22, is at the invitation of the IIHF president, in recognition of Queen Suthida's role as the federation's first Women's Global Ambassador.

The queen has actively promoted ice hockey in Thailand, both as an athlete and an advocate for the sport.

She previously attended ice hockey events in Thailand and Italy, according to Thai PBS.

On Oct. 8, Queen Suthida made headlines after completing her first solo flight in a JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet in the presence of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who is also an experienced pilot. It made her the first reigning queen in the world to pilot a fighter jet.

Before marrying the king in 2019, Suthida worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways. She began flight training in 2010 and has since logged nearly 1,190 flight hours.

According to AFP, she frequently serves as the king's co-pilot on royal trips, including a flight to Bhutan that landed at Paro International Airport, known for its challenging approach.

The king and queen also flew their own plane to Hanoi for a state visit in September.

Queen Suthida pilots a Boeing 737-800 into New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido: