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Text: |
Michael E. Fader |
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Pictures: |
Michael E. Fader & Chakrit Samithian |
Dear Thailand, take care of the world
The origins of Children's Day in Thailand date back to 1955. At that time, Prime Minister Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram established this day to raise awareness of children's rights and welfare. Since then, Children's Day has been celebrated nationwide with great enthusiasm, underlining the belief that children deserve special care and respect.
At the same time, however, it should not go unmentioned that this initiative also pursued the goal of familiarising children with state institutions and promoting patriotism. On Children's Day, institutions such as the police, army, navy and air force, which are otherwise closed to the public, open their doors and present themselves to children and the population.
In 2026, however, Children's Day takes on a special meaning that differs from previous celebrations. At this point in time, the Thai armed forces – army, navy and air force – are involved in border tensions with Cambodia. The army was involved in securing strategically important areas along the border, while the air force was deployed in military operations to neutralise threats beyond the border. Against this backdrop, Children's Day finds itself caught between the traditional openness of state institutions and the current security situation.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Access to the 6 Wing base at RTAFB Don Mueang was completely different this year. Previously, the doors were simply open and everyone could enter the base unhindered (except for a security check), but in 2026, registration was required. This applied not only to the rehearsals on Friday, but also to 10 January 2026. Everyone had to register online and download a QR code to their mobile phone. Together with their ID card, this QR code was scanned at the entrance and every visitor, including children, was registered. In advance, 183,964 registrations were recorded for the 6 Wing (601 Squadron) event in Don Mueang. The total number of visitors to all RTAF bases was 587,367.
What was striking was the greater attention enjoyed by the armed forces following the border skirmishes in June and December 2025. The Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha, told the media that he was very proud and excited by the unusually large number of families who had come to the air show.
He said that around 100,000 people had registered for the event, not counting the many others who had come without registering in advance.
On this occasion, he emphasised his conviction that children and young people are the nation's most valuable asset. Therefore, every adult has a crucial responsibility to care for them, nurture them with love, understanding and care, and guide them on the right path to develop a good conscience. This will help young people grow into strong personalities with strong morals and physical and mental resilience, thus laying a solid foundation for their own development, that of their families and Thai society for lasting prosperity.
He also expressed hope that this outburst of patriotism and appreciation for the important role that fighter jets played in the armed conflicts with Cambodia in July and December would continue in the years to come.
C. Siros & Napapha Mungkan (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Sqn.Leader C. Siros (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Two presenters, Squadron-Leader C. Siros and Squadron-Leader Napapha Mungkan, guided the audience through the day's programme, while other members of the RTAF took to the stage in the 601 Squadron hangar to teach children and young people about the world of aviation, the mission of protecting the nation and other interesting facts.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Corporal Mujarin Kongkling(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Static
The static display included the following aircraft: Lockheed C-130H Hercules, Basler BT-67, ATR-72, NZAI CT-4E, Sikorsky S-70i, Diamond DA-42, Diamond DA-40, RTAF-6, Beech T-6A, Fairchild, AU-23A Peacemaker Airbus A-340 and a Beech AT-6E Wolverine. Four aircraft from the Tango Club were present: Grumman F8F Bearcat, Lockheed T-33A, North American T-28D Trojan and a North American P-64.
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Flying Programm
The flight programme at Don Mueang is dictated by civil aviation. Therefore, the demonstrations are held in individual time slots, during which civil air traffic is suspended. In 2026, demonstrations of the General Dynamics F-16A Falcon, Saab JAS-39 Grippen and the relatively new Beech AT-6E Wolverine were shown. The demonstration of the General Dynamics F-16A Falcon attracted particular attention, as this type of aircraft was used extensively in the conflict with Cambodia.
The authors had the
opportunity to attend not only the actual Children's Day but also the
rehearsals on Friday. The pictures below are from both days.
Patriotic start
One example of this was the three Fairchild AU-23A Peacemakers, which
emitted coloured smoke in the shape of the Thai flag. Then, as already
mentioned, Air Chief Marshal Seksan Khantha gave a speech. Right at the
end of his speech, a single General Dynamics F-16B Falcon flew over the
opening ceremony.
During rehearsals on Friday, it was an aircraft from the 103 Squadron from RTAFB Khorat, while on Saturday it was one from the 403 Squadron from RTAFB Thakli.
Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker 501 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker 501 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker 501 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16B Falcon 403 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon
The star of the show was
undoubtedly the General Dynamics F-16A Falcon, as this aircraft was
omnipresent in the news. The RTAF operates two squadrons of this type:
the 103 Squadron at RTAFB Khorat and the 403 Squadron at RTAFB Thakli.
The squadron pilot flew an impressive programme of fast and slow
flyovers and also demonstrated the aircraft's enormous climbing
performance and manoeuvrability.
Unlike in previous years, the aircraft flown were not parked in front of the audience and there were few opportunities for children to have their photograph taken with the pilots.
First a Boeing 737-800 from Lion Air. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
General Dynamics F-16A Falcon 103 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39 Gripen
On Friday, the display was flown with a two-seater JAS-39D, while on
Saturday a single-seater JAS-39C was used, which had the ‘88 Years RTAF’
livery. The performance shown did not quite reach European standards,
but in contrast to this, it must be mentioned that these were squadron
pilots and not designated display pilots. The conflict with Cambodia was
the first combat mission for the JAG-39 Grippen worldwide.
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Saab JAS-39C Gripen 701 Sqn.(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Saab JAS-39D Gripen 701 Sqn. (Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverine
The Beech AT-6E Wolverine is relatively new to the RTAF inventory,
having only been introduced in 2024. Only eight aircraft were procured
for the 411 Squadron at RTAFB Chinag May. It is likely that more
aircraft of this type, which is ideally suited for asymmetric warfare
and COIN operations, will be procured in the future. The manoeuvrability
of this aircraft, equipped with a turboprop engine, is exceptional and
was demonstrated well by the pilot.
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Beech AT-6E Wolverne 411 Sqn. Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Airbus A-320 Air Asia (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
In addition, cultural and artistic activities reflecting Thai identity were presented. These included musical performances by the Royal Thai Air Force Band (Drum Zeed), Air Force cadets (Fancy Drill), Khon performances (traditional Thai mask dance) by Air Force cadets, and Krabi Krabong demonstrations (Thai sword and shield fighting) accompanied by Sabatchai drums.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithian)
Die Kinder
The
display of weapons and equipment by the RTAF is unusual for Europeans
and would certainly be considered politically ‘incorrect’. Children are
allowed and encouraged to play with rifles and cannons, thus introducing
them to the military. However, from the perspective of a country that is
in conflict with a neighbouring country, this is more than
understandable and also a sign of growing patriotism.
On
Children's Day, children receive lots of toys, food and other free gifts,
and the list of sponsors for this day is almost endless. Yes, it is
considered good form to be present on Children's Day. In addition to
food and toy manufacturers, even SAAB was represented with a stand. SAAB
is delighted with the order for 12 new Saab JAS-39Es by the Royal Thai
Air Force, which are to be operated by the 102 Squadron and are an
important addition to the RTAF.
The new Beech AT-6E was also on display in a hall reserved exclusively for the RTAF. Every Wing and Division of the RTAF was represented with a stand, and all kinds of weapons, such as bombs and drones, were on display.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The authors would like to thank the press team led by Wing Commander Im Prapichaya for their helpful support.
