Royal Thai Airforce Starts Accepting Women Pilots

BANGKOK – Eight women have so far applied for pilot positions with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), which began accepting women pilots for the first time this year.

RTAF Commander ACM Treetod Sonjance revealed that the application process began last Monday. This marks the first time in the Air Force’s history that it is recruiting women pilots. The RTAF has allotted five positions for women this year and plans to maintain this quota in 2017 and 2018.

Each applicant is required to pass a series of tests and undergo medical and psychological examinations, as well as an interview before they are accepted.

One of the first women to apply was 23 year-old  Suwattana “Mai” Chanthalertis who is one step closer to realizing her dream of becoming a member of the Royal Thai Air Force’s pilot.

Thai news site Khaosod English quoted her saying that with the air force’s decision to open its doors to female pilots, “now men and women have equal potential.” She added that “it is not necessary to divide people by their gender.”