PHOTOS: Chinese, US and Indian jets take to the skies at international air show

Chinese J-10, US F-35A and Indian Hawk Mk-132 jets wowed the crowd in Thailand.

By Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA

BANGKOK — Air force aerobatic and demonstration teams from China, India and the United States streaked through Bangkok’s overcast skies Friday in a rare joint-showcase marking the 88th anniversary of the Royal Thai Air Force.

China’s August 1st Aerobatic Team of People’s Liberation Army Air Force, the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team and India’s Air Force Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team each performed separately, entertaining crowds at Bangkok’s Don Mueang air base.

Also present was Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, a former F-5 fighter jet pilot.

“We did not have special conditions to have both the U.S. and Chinese aircraft to join. Politics is set aside and mutual respect is there,” Thailand’s air force chief Air Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul told reporters.

Vortices are visible on its wings as a U.S. Air Force F-35A demonstration team fifth generation jet performs over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
f-35a-fifth-generation-usaf-jet-vortex Vortices are visible on its wings as a U.S. Air Force F-35A demonstration team fifth generation jet performs over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
India’s Air Force Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team fly Hawk Mk-132 jets as they perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
india-surya-kiran-hawk-mk-132 India’s Air Force Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team fly Hawk Mk-132 jets as they perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 jets perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
china-chengdu-j-10 Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 jets perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
A U.S. Air Force F-35A demonstration team fifth generation jet opens its weapons bay as it performs over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
f-35a-fifth-generation-usaf-jet A U.S. Air Force F-35A demonstration team fifth generation jet opens its weapons bay as it performs over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 jets perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
china-plaaf-chengdu-j-10-jet Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 jets perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
India’s Air Force Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team fly Hawk Mk-132 jets as they perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
india-air-force-hawk-mk-132 India’s Air Force Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team fly Hawk Mk-132 jets as they perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force pilots greet spectators as they taxi at Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
china-chengdu-j-10-jet Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force pilots greet spectators as they taxi at Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
A Royal Thai Air Force JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet takes off from Bangkok’s Don Mueang air base, Mar. 7, 2025.
saab-gripen-jas-39-thailand A Royal Thai Air Force JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet takes off from Bangkok’s Don Mueang air base, Mar. 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
A U.S. Air Force demonstration team pilot waves to spectators before taking off Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
f-35a-fifth-generation-usaf-jet A U.S. Air Force demonstration team pilot waves to spectators before taking off Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)
Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force Chengdu J-10 jets perform over Don Mueang air base in Bangkok, March 7, 2025.
thailand-air-show Spectators arrive at Don Mueang air base for the international air show commemorating the 88th anniversary of the Royal Thai Air Force, Mar. 7, 2025, in Bangkok. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)