The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) wants to recruit female pilots for the first time to make up for a shortfall in the number of male pilots.
Air force chief ACM Tritos Sonchaeng said on Friday the RTAF will, for the time being, recruit female pilots to fly military transport aircraft.
He said applicants are required to hold at least a bachelor's degree and that aviation experience would be an advantage.
Successful candidates will be trained to fly transport aircraft and helicopters at Wing 6 air force headquarters in Don Muang and also at Wing 2 in Lop Buri.
"We believe women would be just as capable and willing to take the same risks as their male colleagues," said ACM Tritos.
"So we want them to have the opportunity to be part of the air force's development," he said.
However, the commander said the RTAF has no plans to recruit female pilots for combat roles.
The air force is seeking the Defence Ministry's permission so recruitment can begin this year, ACM Tritos said.
An RTAF source said air force chiefs are looking at recruiting women to offset a decline in the number of trained pilots and male recruits.
A large number of military pilots have resigned after undergoing air force-sponsored training overseas, to work for private airlines which offer higher salaries.
Air force chiefs felt female pilots would perform perfectly well flying transport aircraft and offering them the chance to fly for the military would enhance the air force's reputation as an equal opportunities employer.