PM Willing to Fly F-16 Fighter for Border Inspection
PM Anutin said he's willing to fly an F-16 fighter jet to inspect military readiness at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima on August 14, pending military approval and safety clearance.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed on August 5, 2025, that he is prepared to fly an F-16 fighter jet to inspect military readiness at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima on August 14, contingent on military approval and adherence to safety regulations. The military will brief him on security measures, exercises, and operational preparedness that have benefited from government-approved budgets and strategic initiatives over the past 10 months. When asked if the flight would demonstrate Thai military strength to adversaries, Anutin rejected the characterization, calling it a confidential briefing rather than a display of power. He stated that understanding the military's capabilities would strengthen his negotiating position with other nations, and clarified that he has his own aircraft if border reconnaissance becomes necessary. Regarding his Indonesia visit, when pressed about whether the reception matched that received by three former Thai prime ministers, Anutin laughed without answering.
