Anyone know why we have had so much fighter jet activity this today in Chiang Mai? During the last 30 mins one jet has been flying low altitude circles around the city. My windows are shaking and I feel like I can almost see his face in the cockpit when he passes by!

Almost certainly a Children's Day display, or maybe someone is invading.

First time it went over it was pretty scary for a few seconds. Never heard anything like it. I honestly thought a commercial airplane was about to crash. I have no idea what it was about. It's Childrens Day today so maybe it was some kind of flyover to do with that? All my windows seem to still be in tact so that's something I guess.

It looked to me like someone had just got a new toy...?

Almost certainly a Children's Day display, or maybe someone is invading.

Yep, Air show today.

//edit - there goes another one and I'm near Hang Dong.

904 Aggressor Squadron, RTAF, is based at Chiang Mai AFB. It has F-5's. They were flying low over the city last time I was there. These guys do have to practice sometimes...

If memory serves they are the HRH Crown Prince's old outfit.

Almost certainly a Children's Day display, or maybe someone is invading.

Yep, Air show today.

//edit - there goes another one and I'm near Hang Dong.

so they have both planes up today !!!

These guys do have to practice sometimes...

Indeed. But they could do it in an unpopulated area.

Does this mean that there was an accindent today at the Children's Day??

I tried to translate with Bling but not sure if it is a good translation

จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ CM108.com

‎** ร่มไม่กาง ดับ ! " **

รับแจ้ง ราวเวลา 13.50 น. ทหารพลร่ม จากกองกำลังผาเมืองโดดร่มโชว์เด็กๆ ในกองบิน 41 แล้วร่มไม่กาง ร่วงกระแทกพื้น เสียชีวิต !

เป็นเรื่องเศร้าในงานวันเด็กที่เชียงใหม่

ภาพโดย คุณเลย์

Google translate:

Notified at approximately 13:50 pm, soldiers, paratroopers from the Parachute troops through the city's children in the Garden Wing 41 are extended. Impact the loss of life!

It's a sad day for children in the city.

Lay your picture.

It does appear someone has died. See info and picture on the Facebook link above.

Trying to find more information.

If you use Google Chrome to CM108 site you can read the comments with it's translator.

From my sister in law and what she saw on the news a pilot ejected or left the aircraft and was killed.

//edit - from the translate above it may have been a parachutist whose chute failed rather than a pilot.

thanks Twyais

Just verified with my sister in law after showing her the word for parachute that is indeed what happened.

Parachute failed to open is what it says.

It says "I would like to offer my condolences for the paratrooper whose parachute failed to open. At The Children's Day party at Wing 41 at 1:50pm today."

From the picture it is clear that the children in attendance for the show saw it all. Sad.

Edited January 14, 201214 yr by deesquared

RIP the victim of this tragedy. I could ask many questions about how the 'chute was packed and by whom etc etc but we will never get satisfactory answers.

RIP to the Soldier and his family

a sad event for the kids to witness

RIP the victim of this tragedy. I could ask many questions about how the 'chute was packed and by whom etc etc but we will never get satisfactory answers.

Dude. Why so cynical? Geez.

Very sad for all involved especially as this is the day every one in the wing looks forward to for so long and works hard to make it the most special day they can for the children.

What I might find odd is the relation [and celebration] of Children's Day and militarism.

Just got back from a very pleasant and interesting day at a similar Thai Navy event at U Tapao. Pleased to say all the parachutists came down ok.

What I might find odd is the relation [and celebration] of Children's Day and militarism.

Sad that you take the opportunity of someone's death to soapbox, and you probably claim to be a pacifist too.

Bangkok Post are reporting that a soldier, jumping from a helicoptor, died when his parachute failed to open. It also suggested that the helicoptor was flying a little lower because of bad weather at the time. Tragic.

I am in Nakhon Sawan we had 2 F16 Fighting Falcons ( General Dynamics ) over here for the last couple of days doing what you are seeing. The same thing happened last year, just before Chineses New Year. We also had a formation of 4 agricultural survey planes over as well. So that maybe your answer, CNY.

Good noise and a good sight although the 2 did not fly in close formation as the RAF do. looked rather random flying but I suppose they know what they are doing and a good start to the day, this was between 0830-0900 today. Only one plane yesterday.

What I might find odd is the relation [and celebration] of Children's Day and militarism.

Lighten up for goodness sake. Kids love the military.

When I was at school we had army cadets and it didn't turn any of us into rabid killers. Probably turned some of us off the military, if anything.

What I might find odd is the relation [and celebration] of Children's Day and militarism.

Sad that you take the opportunity of someone's death to soapbox, and you probably claim to be a pacifist too.

No he doesn't and he makes a fair point.

If he's a pacifist, are you an aggressor and what's wrong with pacifism anyway ???

When the first jet practically flew over my apartment the first impression i got was - "dam_n...they're going to kick 'someones' ass" - checked my compass and they were headed do East in the direction of Cambodia.

Well, glad it was only childrens day.

Let's back off on the bickering, remember this is someone's life that was lost who has family and friends. I always went to airshows when I was young and it had nothing to do with militarism but with the beauty of the planes flying and performing stunts you would never normally have a chance to see.