Pilot King and Queen arrive in Laos

Pilots King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida arrived in Laos for a state visit this week. 

Around 4:45 pm, at the Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, King Rama X and Queen Suthida arrived in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to begin their state visit. The King and Queen have been invited to the Lao PDR by President Thongloun Sisoulith, as the Kingdom of Thailand and Laos celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025.

Upon arrival, Their Majesties were greeted by the Laotian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, the Minister of the President’s Office, Mr Saphangthong Siphandon, the Governor of Vientiane, Mr Thongsavan Phomvihane, and the Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Thailand, H.E. Mr Sisavath Inphachan.

One notable feat that did not go unnoticed was the pilots of Boeing 737 Royal Flight. Both the King and Queen are qualified pilots of various aircraft and hold respective commercial pilot licenses (CPL) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.

🇹🇭 King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) & Queen Suthida arrived in Laos today to begin their State Visit.

The King & Queen, as is customary, piloted themselves into the country. pic.twitter.com/bUwxTbTZXA

— Imperial Material ♚ (@implmaterial) March 16, 2026

King Rama X trained in the Royal Thai Army as a military pilot, flying various aircraft, including passenger aircraft and fighter jets. Previous state visits, such as the 2025 visit to Bhutan, saw the King and Queen fly themselves into new territory.

Queen Suthida, on the other hand, was a flight attendant with JALways (a subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL)) and Thai Airways. Then-Suthida Tidjai later joined the Thai military in 2008. She was appointed to Vajiralongkorn’s personal household as Crown Prince, a post that saw her elevated through the ranks. After striking up a relationship, King Rama X—who had already reigned for almost three years—made Suthida Queen of Thailand following their marriage, before his own Coronation in May 2019.

For the Bhutanese state visit, it was reported that King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida received additional training in simulators and practice flights at military installations in preparation to fly into and out of one of the world’s most challenging mountainous runways.

On Monday, the King and Queen travelled from the airport by motorcade to the Crowne Plaza Vientiane Hotel, which the government of Laos has arranged. Princess Aiko of Japan, who recently visited Laos, was also hosted at the same hotel. The Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Ms Chirasaya Peeranont, along with Embassy officials, members of the Thai community in Laos, the Acting General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Vientiane Hotel, and others, were in attendance to receive the King and Queen.

Later today, Tuesday, 17th March, the King and Queen will attend an official welcoming ceremony and be hosted by the President and his spouse.