The latest budget bill for 2025 spending was laid before the Thai parliament in Bangkok yesterday, and includes both a VIP aircraft and two “mid-sized helicopters”.

The aircraft will replace the current Airbus A340-500 which is due for decommissioning in 2029, while the helicopters are seen as replacing Bell 412s acquired in 2005.

The helicopters will be operated by the Royal Thai Air Force and will have a secondary role with emergency services as required.

A figure of 3.3 billion baht ($90 million) is quoted for the helicopter acquisition, which seems extraordinarily high

The helicopter model to be acquired has still to be decided. The approved budget had to be known first, Air Force commander-in-chief ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul is quoted as saying