All Royal Thai Police aircraft—both fixed-wing and helicopters—have been grounded until they pass airworthiness inspections, as a precautionary measure.
Police General Kitrat Phanphet announced yesterday that he has ordered the Police Aviation Division to inspect all aircraft and ensure they are safe before being cleared to fly again.
He stated that he will visit the Police Aviation Command this Wednesday to offer moral support to police airmen, hear their concerns, and implement changes.
These include decommissioning aging aircraft rather than continuing costly repairs.
The grounding order follows two fatal accidents involving police aircraft within a month. On April 25, a fixed-wing plane crashed into the sea in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Then, on May 24, a Bell 212 police helicopter crashed , killing the pilot, co-pilot, and mechanic.
Pol Gen Kitrat admitted the helicopter, which was returning to its base in Kanchanaburi from Surat Thani, had been in service for over 40 years.
Two more helicopters of the same model remained in service between the May 24 crash and today, he added, noting that they too should be decommissioned.
