In the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, most heads of state are accustomed to the luxury of being chauffeured in private jets. However, in Southeast Asia, two prominent monarchs take a much more hands-on approach to their travels.
They are Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) of Thailand. These two amazing people are not just ceremonial leaders, they are both fully licensed, qualified, and highly skilled pilots who can take the captain’s seat during official state visits.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and His “Flying Palace”
The monarch of Brunei Darussalam and the longest-serving leader in ASEAN, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, is a veteran of the skies. He is well-known for operating his own aircraft.
He has some aircraft and the famous one is Boeing 747-8QL that considers as Boeing Business Jet. As one of the richest monarchs in the world, this luxurious aircraft is fitted with features like solid gold washbasins and gold-plated furniture. What makes it more unique, the luxury aircraft has a nickname; The Flying Palace.
The Sultan’s passion for flying was recently on full display in May 2026. He personally piloted his aircraft for the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines.
Arriving on Wednesday evening, May 7, at the Mactan-Benito N. Ebuan Air Base with his son, Prince Abdul Mateen, the Sultan’s presence in the cockpit sparked significant online buzz after he was spotted at the controls.
King Rama X of Thailand, A Certified Fighter and Commercial Pilot
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X) of Thailand is qualified military and commercial pilot who often fly aircraft. He is the first King in the Chakri Dynasty to become a certified fighter pilot, flight instructor, and commercial airline pilot.
His journey in aviation began at a young age, leading him to master high-speed combat aircraft like the F-5E Tiger II during his military career. Moreover, beyond military jets, King Rama X is a certified commercial pilot for the Boeing 737-400.
By 2009, he had already completed over 3,000 flying hours, an achievement recognized with official aviation certifications. His skills were put to the ultimate test in April 2025 during a state visit to Bhutan. Alongside Queen Suthida, who acted as his co-pilot, the King successfully landed a Boeing 737-800 at Paro International Airport.
This feat is particularly remarkable because Paro is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its high altitude and treacherous Himalayan terrain. Only about 50 pilots worldwide are certified to land there, and the King reportedly spent days training in a flight simulator and at a military airport to prepare for the challenging approach.
