Meet Thailand's Queen Suthida, the world's first reigning queen to fly a fighter jet solo

 

BANGKOK (VnExpress/Vietnam News): Thailand's Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, the world's first reigning queen to fly a fighter jet solo, has distinguished herself in aviation, military service and competitive sports.

The 48-year-old queen made aviation history on Oct. 8 when she completed her first solo flight in a Swedish-made JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet at Wing 7 air base in Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand.

The 41-minute flight made her Thailand's first female Gripen pilot and the world's first reigning queen to fly a fighter jet solo, according to British newspaper The Telegraph.

After landing, Suthida was greeted by her husband, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 74, who presented her with flowers and personally pinned a gold-embroidered Gripen Order Golden Patch to her left sleeve. The insignia recognized her successful solo flight and admission as a full member of the Swedish Gripen Order.

The achievement marked another milestone in an aviation career that began more than a decade before she became Thailand's queen.

From flight attendant to fighter jet pilot

Born on June 3, 1978, in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, southern Thailand, Suthida graduated from Assumption University in Bangkok with a bachelor's degree in communication arts.

She began her professional career as a flight attendant for Japan Airlines from 2000 to 2003 before joining Thai Airways International, where she worked until 2008, according to Thailand's Government Public Relations Department.

She subsequently entered royal security service, rising through the military ranks to become deputy commander of the Royal Security Command with the rank of general in 2016. In 2017, she was appointed deputy chief aide-de-camp to King Maha Vajiralongkorn while continuing to serve as deputy commander of the Royal Security Command, holding the rank of special general.

She married the king on May 1, 2019, just days before his coronation, and received her full royal title, Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, on May 4.

Her aviation training had begun years earlier. On May 13, 2010, she flew a Cessna T-41D military training aircraft at Wing 6 in Bangkok, according to Thailand's Bureau of the Royal Household.

She subsequently underwent further training in Thailand and abroad, gaining experience with military and civilian aircraft. Her qualifications include commercial pilot licenses and a Boeing 737 type rating. By October this year, she had accumulated more than 1,188 flying hours across different aircraft types, including more than 450 hours in the Boeing 737-800.

She has also served as co-pilot alongside the king on official overseas visits. In April 2025, King Maha Vajiralongkorn piloted the royal aircraft to Bhutan and back, with Suthida serving as co-pilot on both journeys. They repeated the arrangement during their September 2026 state visit to Vietnam, with the king serving as captain and Suthida as first officer on their flight to Hanoi.

In June, she began specialized fighter jet training with the Royal Thai Air Force. The program included 45 academic and emergency-procedure subjects, 20 simulator sessions and 10 hours and 13 minutes of supervised flying in a two-seat JAS 39D Gripen.

She underwent practical training at Wing 7 air base in southern Thailand between August and October under the supervision of Royal Thai Air Force instructors. Her training culminated in the historic solo flight on Oct. 8.

Just six days later, she returned to the cockpit, this time piloting a royal Boeing 737-800 from Bangkok to Japan. On Oct. 14, she flew for approximately seven hours from Don Mueang Military Airport to New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido for a visit connected to the International Ice Hockey Federation's Women's Asia Championship in Sapporo.

She also piloted the aircraft on the return journey to Thailand on Oct. 22, completing an approximately eight-hour flight.

Sporting passion

Beyond aviation, Suthida has pursued several sports, including sailing, ice hockey, cycling and long-distance running.

In December 2025, she helped Thailand win a sailing gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, held in her home country. Competing in the mixed keelboat SSL47 event off Pattaya, she served as navigator and strategist aboard a 14-meter sailboat alongside nine other crew members.

Ice hockey is another of her interests. In October 2023, she took to the ice during the opening of the Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena in Chiang Mai Province. A year later, she joined Thailand's national team for a friendly ice hockey match against China in Bangkok, according to the Thai government's Public Relations Department.

She also serves as the International Ice Hockey Federation's first global ambassador for women's ice hockey, a role she took on in 2023. Her involvement has taken her to international sporting events, including the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy and the Women's Asia Championship in Japan.

Running is another of her pursuits. In December 2024, she joined Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge for the final 10 kilometers of the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok. A year later, she completed a half-marathon in Bangkok alongside Kipchoge, recording a time of two hours, 13 minutes and 40 seconds.

Alongside her aviation and sporting activities, she carries out royal duties supporting Thai cultural heritage, traditional handicrafts and silk production.

According to the Thai government, she has continued the work of Queen Sirikit, the late queen mother, in preserving traditional crafts and supporting local communities. -- VnExpress/Vietnam News

PRN Sarawak: DAP tanding 7 kerusi di Kuching, Bau

 DAP akan umum kerusi di Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu dan Miri dalam tempoh seminggu hingga dua minggu.

DAP sedang mempertimbangkan Batu Lintang sebagai kemungkinan kerusi yang akan ditandingi. (Gambar fail)

PETALING JAYA:

DAP akan bertanding di tujuh kerusi di kawasan Kuching dan Bau pada PRN Sarawak.

Pengerusi DAP Sarawak, Chong Chieng Jen, berkata kerusi berkenaan ialah Padungan, Pending, Batu Kitang, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawah, Tasik Biru dan Opar.

“Kami juga sedang mempertimbangkan kerusi Batu Lintang sebagai kemungkinan kerusi kelapan yang akan ditandingi,” katanya, lapor Bernama.

DAP akan mengumumkan kerusi-kerusi yang akan ditandingi di Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu dan Miri dalam tempoh seminggu hingga dua minggu, katanya.

Pada PRN 2021, DAP bertanding di 26 kerusi namun pertaruhannya hanya berhasil di Padungan dan Pending.

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya akan mengadakan mesyuarat khas pada 6 Nov bagi membincangkan tarikh-tarikh penting PRN Sarawak ke-13. - FMT

First two FA-50M fighter jets arrive at Kuantan airbase

 Six more aircraft are expected by April, with the remaining 10 to be delivered in stages through early 2028.

The Korean-made FA-50M light combat aircraft in manoeuvres on arrival at RMAF Kuantan after a ferry flight from Sacheon. (RMAF pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Two Korean-made FA-50M light combat aircraft have arrived at the Kuantan airbase from Sacheon, after a ferry flight flown by the manufacturer’s pilots, with the commander and executive office of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s No 15 Squadron on board.

The aircraft left South Korea on Oct 29 and made transit stops in Jeju, Laoag in the Philippines, and Labuan.

The FA-50M aircraft M58-01 was piloted by KAI pilot Lee Donkyu, together with No 15 Squadron commanding officer Major Jamil Awang, while aircraft M58-02 was piloted by Kim Inchul, together with No 15 Squadron executive officer Major Ashraf Wahab, Bernama reported.

The two aircraft will undergo the final tests by the air force before official acceptance at the end of November, the air force said in a statement.

Malaysia has ordered 18 FA-50M (Block 20) aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries for nearly RM4 billion. The aircraft will serve as lead-in fighter trainers and light combat jets to replace the ageing BAE Hawk fleet, which is scheduled for full retirement by 2028.

Six aircraft are expected by April, with the remaining units to be delivered in stages through early 2028. The FA-50M will be operated by No 15 Squadron based at RMAF Kuantan. - FMT

Angry customer smashes ATMs after failing to withdraw cash

 Police say five banking machines were vandalised and a 21-year-old man was injured when he tried to stop the suspect.

The 38-year-old suspect is believed to have damaged two ATMs, two cash deposit machines and a cheque deposit machine at a bank shortly after midnight on Saturday.

SARIKEI:

Angered after failing to withdraw cash from an ATM, a man vandalised five banking machines using a parang and injured a young man who tried to stop him early this morning.

Sarikei district police chief Aswandy Anis said the 38-year-old suspect is believed to have damaged two ATMs, two cash deposit machines and a cheque deposit machine at a bank shortly after midnight.

He said the man was dissatisfied after failing to withdraw money from the ATM, and admitted to being intoxicated at the time. “He is believed to have fled by driving a Toyota Hilux against the flow of traffic before crashing into a road divider in Jalan Masjid Lama,” he said in a statement today.

Aswandy said a 21-year-old man sustained severe injuries to his left hand after being struck with a parang by the suspect while attempting to stop him.

“The suspect surrendered at Sarikei police station. A Toyota Hilux and a parang were seized,” he said. The suspect tested positive for drugs. - FMT

When dementia strikes a family, life changes for all involved

 

WATCHING someone you love slowly lose their memory is an experience that stays with you. A familiar face may become difficult to recognise. Everyday activities that were once simple may become confusing. Conversations may need to be repeated, and family members gradually find themselves becoming full-time caregivers.

I know this because dementia has affected several members of my own family. I have witnessed the sadness, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion that accompany this condition. Behind every person living with dementia is often a family quietly struggling to cope.

For caregivers, the greatest challenge is not always physical. Sometimes, it is the heartbreak of watching someone they love gradually lose the ability to manage everyday life independently. These experiences have left me asking one important question: Can we do something before memory problems become severe?

Protecting the brain before problems begin

Dementia is not simply a normal part of ageing. It is a condition that affects memory, thinking and the ability to carry out daily activities. Although there is currently no cure for most forms of dementia, growing scientific interest has focused on ways to support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

One promising area is physical exercise. Most people associate exercise with stronger muscles, healthier hearts and better weight management. However, physical activity may also help maintain memory, concentration and other thinking abilities as we grow older. Walking, cycling and simple strengthening exercises may offer benefits beyond physical fitness.

But an important question remains: Why do some people benefit more from exercise than others?

One exercise programme may not suit everyone

As a researcher in exercise science and genetics, I have long been interested in understanding why individuals respond differently to the same physical activities. Two people may follow an identical exercise programme but experience different improvements.

Their age, health conditions, lifestyle and genetic makeup may all influence how their bodies respond. Could these differences also affect how exercise benefits the brain?

This question has become an important focus of my research. Imagine a future where older adults receive exercise recommendations tailored to their individual needs rather than following a single programme designed for everyone.

For some, regular walking may be suitable. Others may benefit from cycling, muscle-strengthening activities or exercises that challenge both movement and thinking. The aim is not to find a miracle cure but to understand how science can help people maintain their independence and quality of life for longer.

Turning personal experience into research

My interest in dementia began long before the development of our latest research initiative. Through earlier studies supported by Malaysia’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), my research team explored the relationship between genetics, exercise and brain function.

These efforts eventually led to a new research initiative known as ExeCogim. The project aims to investigate whether genetic information can help researchers develop more personalised exercise approaches to support brain health among older adults.

Recently, this research received RM174,400 under the Ministry of Higher Education’s GET Transformative Phase II Grant 2026. This support represents an important opportunity to explore how scientific findings might eventually benefit society.

However, ExeCogim remains a research initiative. Further studies are necessary before we can determine whether personalised exercise programmes based on genetic information offer meaningful advantages. Scientific progress requires patience, careful testing and reliable evidence.

A shared responsibility

Dementia is more than a medical challenge. It affects families, communities and healthcare services. Addressing it requires cooperation among researchers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, technology developers and organisations supporting older adults.

Equally important is public awareness. We should encourage healthy lifestyles, regular physical activity and greater attention to brain health as people age. Persistent memory difficulties should also be assessed by healthcare professionals rather than dismissed as ordinary ageing.

For families already caring for someone with dementia, understanding, patience and emotional support remain essential. I cannot change what my own family has experienced. Nor can I promise that our research will prevent dementia. But those experiences have strengthened my determination to search for better answers.

Perhaps one day, research will help more older adults remain active, independent and connected to their loved ones. Because growing older should not simply mean living longer. It should mean living well, preserving our independence and protecting the precious memories that connect us to the people we love. 

Assoc. Prof Dr. Hazwani Ahmad Yusof @ Hanafi works at Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB), Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.

“Picking up the pieces from a multi-million devastation for trusting a construction heavyweight”

 

MY pitfall storytelling time: At the height of COVID-19, we landed the biggest deal of our lives. It was a multi-seven-figure design-and-build contract with one of Malaysia’s largest corporate infrastructure giants.

Easily 10 times our usual project size. On paper, we looked like we were flying. Behind the scenes, it almost destroyed us.

When you land a massive project out of excitement and hunger, your blinders go on: We funded it with our own cash flow. Progress claims started dragging almost immediately.

But we wanted to deliver our promise. By the time we had received barely 20% of the funds, we had already executed 60%-70% of the work – pouring our own money into suppliers just to hit the timeline.

We signed a bespoke contract without proper legal scrutiny. Hidden inside was a 15% Liquidated Ascertained Damages (LAD) clause on the entire contract value.

When site delays inevitably occurred due to delayed client decisions and slow payments, the finger-pointing started.

We handed over the keys thinking our goodwill would be recognized. Instead, they withheld 25% to 30% of the final balance. A clean seven-figure sum. And that’s when the real nightmare began.

“Give us a RM700,000 discount and we’ll close an eye.”

That was the counter-offer from a corporate giant that already owed us seven figures for over a year. After delivering their multi-million-ringgit project, 18 months passed without our final payment.

Picking oneself up from the lowest ebb

If you run a service or construction business, you know what that silence feels like:

• Suppliers chasing you weekly.
• Waking up at 3am calculating payroll.
• Realising you’re carrying debt larger than what you’d earn in years.

Desperate to settle amicably and protect the relationship, I extended an olive branch: “Look, we’ll absorb RM100,000 off the claim just so everyone moves forward.”

Two months later, their response came back: They wanted RM700,000 slashed. That was the exact moment I realised: corporate bullies don’t respect your goodwill; they exploit your politeness.

We spent weeks compiling hundreds of pages of documentation – binders of A4 and A3 paperwork – and finally bit the bullet.

We instructed our lawyers to initiate adjudication (CIPAA) and litigation. Handing it to lawyers didn’t magically give us our money back overnight but it gave me back my sanity.

Biz courtesy has limitation

Surviving an 18-month, seven-figure legal fight broke me down but it re-built how I run my company. For anyone in design, construction or client services, here are the two hardest lessons I paid dearly to learn:

1. Kindness without documentation is negligence: In Asia, we tend to prioritise harmony. We avoid sending formal delay notices or legal letters because we don’t want to seem “harsh” or spoil the relationship.

But in court, goodwill doesn’t exist. Only black-and-white paperwork does.

• Have an experienced construction lawyer vet bespoke contracts before you sign.
• Every variation order, delayed decision, and site halt must be issued in writing immediately.
• If they stop paying, you must have the contractual teeth to pause work.

2. Get a therapist before you hit rock bottom: When you owe suppliers six figures and don’t know if you can meet payroll next week, your mind spirals. You question your competence, your worth and why you ever started a business.

Making critical decisions in that state of panic is dangerous. We hire coaches for badminton, fitness and business – yet we treat mental health like a secret shame.

Speaking to a professional gave me the emotional framework to separate what I could control from what I couldn’t. Big projects feed your ego. Cash flow, solid contracts and peace of mind feed your family.

Don’t sacrifice the latter just to say you landed the former. 

Leonard Mak (known online as Leonardbuilds) is a Malaysian architect, interior designer and content creator based in Kuala Lumpur.

He founded his design and build studio, LM Studio (in 2017) and serves as a director at Contrive Builders Sdn Bhd, specialising in commercial, retail and residential interior construction. He has designed and built over 250,000 sq ft of spaces.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.