Bhutan | April 2025 — A historic and awe-inspiring moment captured global attention as His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) of Thailand personally piloted the royal aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, on an official visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan. Accompanying him was Her Majesty Queen Suthida, who served as co-pilot during the flight.
What made this event especially remarkable was His Majesty’s successful landing at Paro International Airport, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous and challenging airports in the world. Located deep in a Himalayan valley at an elevation of 2,235 meters (7,332 feet) above sea level and surrounded by peaks rising over 5,500 meters, Paro requires all landings and takeoffs to be conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) — a feat only a small number of certified pilots worldwide can achieve.
The royal flight touched down smoothly on April 25, 2025, at 09:20 AM local time, and on April 28, His Majesty also piloted the return flight, taking off from the same airport at 5:15 PM Thailand time.
The Royal Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
The Boeing 737-800 used for the royal journey is a popular narrow-body jetliner known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. It is widely used by leading airlines around the world, with a maximum range of over 5,000 kilometers and a seating capacity of up to 189 passengers. The aircraft is equipped with advanced navigation and avionics systems, enabling it to handle the complex terrain of airports like Paro.
A Display of Exceptional Aviation Skill
His Majesty King Rama X is not only Thailand’s monarch but also a highly skilled and experienced military and commercial pilot. He holds both Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) certifications, with thousands of logged flight hours. His flight experience spans a wide variety of aircraft, including fighter jets (F-5, F-16), transport planes (737-400), and helicopters.
Global Praise – A "Historic Moment" in Aviation
This royal journey garnered widespread coverage from international media outlets such as NDTV, The Daily Guardian, and DNA India. Social media platforms buzzed with admiration, particularly after the release of cockpit footage showing the King and Queen confidently operating the aircraft.
Words like "remarkable," "historic," and "awe-inspiring" filled comment sections, with both Thai and international audiences expressing pride and respect for the King’s skill and composure in flight.
