Thailand's 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8s clear FAA order

Thailand's 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft can continue operating normally after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) found none is covered by a new US inspection directive.

CAAT said on August 10 that it checked the line and serial numbers of all 12 aircraft operating in Thailand against the range specified by the US Federal Aviation Administration. All were outside the affected production range.

FAA action followed overseas crack findings

The FAA Airworthiness Directive applies to certain Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 9 and MAX 8-200 aircraft. It requires inspections of reinforcing structures around the forward right-hand service-door frame.

The US action followed the discovery of cracks in structural components on some aircraft outside Thailand.

CAAT, Thailand's civil aviation safety regulator, contacted airlines operating aircraft from the affected Boeing family and reviewed their fleets. Thailand currently has 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8s in service.

The authority said every one of the 12 Thai-based aircraft falls outside the production numbers identified in the FAA directive. As a result, they do not need the extra inspections or corrective measures specified in the order.

Normal operations can continue

The finding means the FAA directive does not apply to the 12 aircraft currently operating in Thailand. Passengers should therefore not expect changes to flights because of this specific technical order.

CAAT stressed that it will continue to follow technical information, airworthiness directives and other safety measures issued by aviation regulators and aircraft manufacturers.

It will also continue supervising Thai operators to ensure they meet airworthiness requirements.

Thailand's confirmation comes as the Boeing 737 MAX remains a widely used aircraft type internationally. For travellers booking flights in Thailand, aircraft types can vary by route and operator, but CAAT's statement concerns the 12 MAX 8 aircraft currently in Thai service rather than every Boeing aircraft flying into the country.

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11 August 2026