The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has dismissed criticism on social media of the Swedish-made Gripen jet fighter following the deadly Children's Day air crash, saying the aircraft is good and the air force won't be banning the shows.
Sqn Ldr Dilokrit Pattavee, 34, a pilot from Surat Thani-based Wing 7, was killed when a Swedish-made Gripen JAS 39C crashed and exploded in front of children and parents near a runway during an air show on Saturday as part of Children's Day activities at Wing 56 in Hat Yai in Songkhla province.
The family of Sqn Ldr Dilokrit Pattavee, 34, carries a portrait of the late pilot while leading a ceremony to move his body Sunday. The pilot, assigned to Surat Thani-based Wing 7, was killed in the crash at the Children's Day air show at Wing 56 in Hat Yai on Saturday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
In his response to the criticism that went viral, air force commander ACM Johm Rungswang said "the information circulated on social media about the Gripen was a complete lie".
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Those who are curious about the Gripen's performance are encouraged to find out details of the jet fighter so as to understand why the air force has procured the Gripen aircraft, he said.
He said the Gripen is a strong, reliable aircraft, and Sqn Ldr Dilokrit was a highly experienced pilot with many flight hours under his belt.
Saturday's air show was not one of stunts or aerobatics, said ACM Johm, but showcased common flying moves which the pilots regularly perform.
Asked whether the air force was considering banning this type of air show, ACM Johm said the air force would continue performing in them as they are not dangerous.
The air show is also a way of demonstrating the country's air defence capacity and inspiring youth, he said, adding that all pilots assigned to perform in these shows have been well trained.
Asked whether the air force will purchase more Gripen fighters to add to the existing ones, he said, that would be a matter of budget availability.
The air force has acquired 12 Swedish aircraft to replace the F-5A/B jets that were decommissioned with a budget of more than 19 billion baht.
During a time when the air force was procuring the 12 Gripen aircraft, it encountered criticism the aircraft were expensive and not worth purchasing when cheaper, equally capable aircraft such the Russian-made SU were an option.
The air force, however, insisted the Gripen aircraft were worth buying and were among the world's best aircraft.
Their high prices account for the SAAB radar system that can later be upgraded to connect with the system of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the US, said the air force.
The extra money paid in the Gripen aircraft procurement was to also cover the costs of training, technology transferring and scholarships to study in Sweden, said the air force.
The air force's committee asked to inspect the crash arrived Sunday morning in Hat Yai to begin their investigation into what happened, said air force spokesman AVM Pongsak Semachai.
Since the flying manoeuvres used in Saturday's air show weren't difficult or dangerous, the inspection team aims to find out what actually caused the crash, said AVM Pongsak.
The cause of the crash of this Gripen JAS 39C flown by Sqn Ldr Dilokrit is under active investigation, but social media exploded Sunday in a barrage of criticism about the aircraft. (Royal Thai Air Force photo)
Sqd Ldr Dilokrit will get a seven-step promotion to the rank of air vice-marshal and a high-level royal decoration, AVM Pongsak said.
At Songklanagarind Hospital, the body of Sqn Ldr Dilokrit was transferred in a formal ceremony including a motorcade to Wing 56, before being flown to Bangkok where a funeral was held.
Dressed in a pilot uniform, retired ACM Arom Pattavee, father of Sqn Ldr Dilokrit, led the ceremony that was also attended by a huge crowd of people expressing their condolences to the family for its loss.
After motorcade arrived at Wing 56, the corpse was then transferred to a waiting C-130 transport plane.
Later in the afternoon, ACM Jhom led another formal ceremony performed at Don Mueang military airport upon receiving the body of Sqn Ldr Dilokrit.
The body was then carried in a motorcade to Wat Phra Si Mahathat in Bang Khen district of Bangkok for the funeral.