Thai Airways International Public Company Limited marked a historic milestone on 2 June 2026 when a female pilot operated a commercial flight for the national carrier for the first time in its 66-year history.

Get today's headlines by email

Pannathorn Tangrungruangchai, known as “Bam”, served as the airline’s first female First Officer on flight TG564 from Bangkok to Hanoi. The flight was operated on an Airbus A320-200, registration HS-TXS. Thai Airways said this was the first time a woman had served as a pilot for the airline since it began operations 66 years ago.

The occasion was attended by Chuntarica Jotikasthira, Chief Human Resources Officer, along with executives from the airline’s flight operations team. The appointment represents a significant milestone for the national carrier and highlights its stated commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in aviation.

Although this is a first for Thai Airways, female pilots have been serving as captains and first officers at other Thai and international airlines for many years. Women nevertheless remain underrepresented in commercial aviation worldwide.

According to industry data from Women in Aviation International, women accounted for approximately 5.5% of airline transport pilots in the United States in 2024. International estimates place the global share of female airline pilots at around 6%, illustrating the continuing gender imbalance within the profession.

Thai Airways said the appointment reflects its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in aviation. The airline did not provide details on whether women had previously applied for pilot positions or explain why no female pilot had joined its flight crew ranks before 2026.

Pannathorn graduated from the Aeronautical Engineering and Commercial Pilot Programme at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. She later completed flight training at Asia Aviation Academy before gaining more than four years of experience as an Airbus A320 First Officer with another airline.

The airline said it hopes the appointment will encourage more women to pursue careers in commercial aviation. The move may also draw attention to wider efforts across the aviation industry to increase female representation in cockpit roles.

Khaosod reported that as Thai Airways continues its operations, the airline is expected to build on its diversity initiatives while promoting career opportunities for future generations of pilots.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 3 June 2026

View full article

Well that is good news but indicative of the male domination in many aspects. Should have happened sooner.

One of the last Bastian's to fall..... the cockpit now becomes a box office.

In Thailand, as mentioned earlier, a bastion has fallen.
At Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, women have been flying for a long time, pilot and co-pilot, both women on the same flight.

7 minutes ago, Been Away said:

Progress.

Yes, albeit very, very slow to happen in TG's case.

Most other international legacy carriers have had female pilots for years

If anyone has watched video of the extremely hazardous approach into Lukla airport in Nepal by an ALL WOMEN flight crew, it's a true testimony to their outstanding piloting abilty and their professional performance.

Shame on TG for taking 66 years to appoint one first officer!

As long as there are no hill starts or three point turns it should be ok.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The occasion was attended by Chuntarica Jotikasthira, Chief Human Resources Officer, along with executives from the airline’s flight operations team. The appointment represents a significant milestone for the national carrier and highlights its stated commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in aviation.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thai Airways said the appointment reflects its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in aviation.

Oh great , emphasis on diversity and equality , twice , but

not on competence.

Hello Thai Airways and welcome to the 20th century.

When are you going to put a female in the captain seat?

A low value post has been removed:

13. Low-Value Posts - Posts that add no written contribution are not allowed.

    This includes emoji-only replies, very short comments, memes, GIFs, screenshots, or embedded social media posts without explanation or opinion.

In 2026 the national carrier finally has a female pilot? Two weeks ago I was on a Bangkok Airways flight and the captain was a female. First time I met a female airline captain was in 1998. I was on a United Airlines B777 flight from DC to London. Even Kam Air (one of the national carriers of Afghanistan before 2021) had female pilots. I flew Kam Air several times from Kabul to Dubai and a few times there were female pilots. "kinda of late to the party?" The good news is at this point is Air Koryo the national air carrier of N. Korea does not have female pilots. At least not yet.

Edited June 3Jun 3 by sqwakvfr

So long as a man parks it!

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

Oh great , emphasis on diversity and equality , twice , but

not on competence.

DEI can mean that the career opportunities of white males are not guaranteed protection from people who may be equally or more qualified.
That upsets some people. FlorC may know someone like that.

If TG really want to become the frontrunner suggest they go for a all transgender crew, flight deck and cabin😋

11 minutes ago, Kandinski said:

If TG really want to become the frontrunner suggest they go for a all transgender crew, flight deck and cabin😋

Easily done if they want to. They have been in cabin crews for years.

3 hours ago, orchidfan said:

If anyone has watched video of the extremely hazardous approach into Lukla airport in Nepal by an ALL WOMEN flight crew, it's a true testimony to their outstanding piloting abilty and their professional performance.

Shame on TG for taking 66 years to appoint one first officer!

Two Female Pilots Tackle the World's Most Dangerous Approach - Paro Airport, Bhutan

Edited June 3Jun 3 by Fruit Trader

1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Easily done if they want to. They have been in cabin crews for years.

And, together with their gay colleagues, damn good they are. Go Thai Air

Edited June 3Jun 3 by Kandinski

“and highlights its stated commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in aviation.”

The fact that this is the first woman first officer in 66 years and there has never been a woman captain for Thai airways, seems to me to highlight a distinct lack of commitment to diversity.

One step in the right direction but miles to go.

2 hours ago, Fruit Trader said:

Two Female Pilots Tackle the World's Most Dangerous Approach - Paro Airport, Bhutan

Why are these two pilots taking SELFIES while landing?

They should be more focused on ensuring that they do NOT OVERSHOOT....

Edited June 3Jun 3 by GammaGlobulin

2 hours ago, Fruit Trader said:

Two Female Pilots Tackle the World's Most Dangerous Approach - Paro Airport, Bhutan

Did I See the Co-Pilot saying a Little Prayer there ??

Good news for THAI and Thailand. Hope there will be more to follow.

6 hours ago, Front Row said:

Hello Thai Airways and welcome to the 20th century.

When are you going to put a female in the captain seat?

Same criteria as for male Captains, as soon as they qualify.

I feel betrayed and dirty because the 25 year old in a pilot uniform at the weekend must have lied to me just to use my body for her pleasure!

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why are these two pilots taking SELFIES while landing?

They were not taking selfies.

1 hour ago, Blueman1 said:

Did I See the Co-Pilot saying a Little Prayer there ??

Absolutely, you did...

She is offering up a TRIPLE PRAYER for sure.....

At this point in the video:

Then, the next step, if the plane lands, is to get down and kiss the ground.

Can she pass a proper western car driver licence test ?

I worked in aviation for 40 years, until recently many women were detered by the unsocial hours and were reluctant to work nights or even late evenings alongside male colleagues.

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Can she pass a proper western car driver licence test ?

No she can't. No woman can. That's why you don't see women driving cars in the west.

8 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

No she can't. No woman can. That's why you don't see women driving cars in the west.

Nonsense, my Thai wife has had a licence for about 20 years, get lost.

3 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Nonsense, my Thai wife has had a licence for about 20 years, get lost.

Oh dear, a bit quick to anger there.

I was pointing out the stupidity of the comment above ,"Can she pass a proper western car driver licence test ?".

So, I was basically saying women are perfectly good drivers and can drive in the west, as they clearly all do.

Now take a breath. No one was insulting your Thai wife, no need to get all puffed up. Read it again.