A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) F-16A fighter aircraft bearing mission markings from recent combat operations against Cambodia will participate in flying demonstrations at Don Mueang on Saturday, Jan. 10, as part of Thailand’s National Children’s Day celebrations.
Photo: Suphanat Rattanathanaprasan
The aircraft, serial number 87-0707, displays mission markings beneath the cockpit indicating participation in bombing attacks during the recent Thailand-Cambodia conflict. The markings show three GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, eight Mk 82 general-purpose bombs, and two Mk 84 heavy bombs.
Thai F-16s saw extensive combat during the border conflict, which began in late July and continued through December. On Jul. 24, six RTAF F-16 fighters conducted the opening strikes of the campaign, bombing Cambodian positions in Chong An Ma and reportedly destroying command posts of Cambodia’s 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions.
Operations intensified over the following days. On Jul. 26, the RTAF conducted airstrikes with two F-16s and two Gripens on Cambodian strategic locations near Prasat Ta Khwai in Surin province. The next day, two squadrons of RTAF F-16s bombed strategic locations at Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Prasat Ta Khwai along the disputed border.
The conflict resumed in December with renewed intensity. Between Dec. 8 and 9, two squadrons of RTAF F-16s again struck strategic locations at Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Prasat Ta Khwai. On the morning of Dec. 11, F-16 fighters bombed a casino in Banteay Ampil district of Oddar Meanchey province, while Royal Thai Army artillery destroyed a nearby oil depot.
According to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense, two Thai F-16s dropped seven bombs on Dec. 12-13, targeting hotel buildings and bridges in the Thmor Da area of Pursat province. On Dec. 15, Cambodia claimed RTAF F-16s struck near evacuee camps in Srei Snam district, Siem Reap province, more than 70 kilometers from the border. The RTAF officially stated the Dec. 15 bombing targeted Cambodian weapon depots in Banteay Meachay.
The F-16A is assigned to 103 Squadron based at Korat airbase. The aircraft previously wore a special “The Century Falcon” paint scheme commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first three Thai military pilots to undergo training in aircraft.
Serial number 87-0707 was acquired under the Peace Naresuan I Foreign Military Sales program. Thailand first approached the United States in April 1985 regarding the purchase of twelve F-16 fighters. At that time, only the F-16/79 variant was considered available for export to Thailand.
The sale was approved in July 1987 for the F100-powered version of the fighter. Thailand signed a letter of agreement in December 1987 for eight F-16A single-seat fighters and four F-16B two-seat trainers. All twelve aircraft delivered under Peace Naresuan I were Block 15OCU variants.
Incidentally, the fighter has the name “GP. CAPT Rawin Thanomsingha” emblazoned below the cockpit glass. It was flown extensively by now Air Vice Marshal Rawin “Hollywood” Thanomsingha when he was attached to Korat to fly the F-16 as a demonstration pilot. You may read our article on his new role as “air boss.”