Air War College Commandant Presides Over RTAF Day Academic Seminar on the Genesis of Thai Air Power
BANGKOK, April 9, 2025 – On the occasion of The Royal Thai Air Force Day, Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sripasert, Commandant of the Air War College (AWC), Directorate of Education and Training, Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), presided over an academic seminar titled "The Royal Grace of King Rama VI and HRH Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Prince of Phitsanulok: The Genesis of Air Power for the Thai People." Held today at the Air Force Library, the seminar was conducted for the students of AWC Class 59, aiming to enhance knowledge, cultivate leadership capabilities, and instill a deep sense of gratitude towards the Monarchy and the significant figures who have contributed to the Air Force and the nation. Faculty members also participated in the event.
This seminar represents more than just a supplementary educational activity; it is an integral component of the Air War College's integrated curriculum, specifically embedded within the "Seminar Management" course. This course is meticulously designed to furnish senior officers, destined to be the future leaders of the RTAF, with a comprehensive suite of essential skills. These competencies range from strategic planning and effective coordination to in-depth research, information synthesis, the clear presentation of complex subjects, and engaging in reasoned, constructive discourse and debate. This initiative directly aligns with the AWC's core philosophy, which is committed to nurturing visionary administrators and strategists equipped with profound knowledge, capability, and ethical principles, while concurrently fostering a deep-seated gratitude towards the Monarchy and commemorating the sacrifices of those who laid the foundational groundwork for the RTAF and Thailand. Learning through this seminar format thus naturally merges the development of intellectual and leadership acumen with the absorption of these vital institutional values.
The seminar's core content delved into the origins and pivotal early development of the Royal Thai Air Force, exploring a valuable historical chapter and a critical strategic milestone for the security of the Kingdom of Siam. The establishment of Thai air power was a direct consequence of the far-sighted vision of His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), who recognized the crucial importance of nascent aviation technology for national sovereignty and international standing. This royal initiative was powerfully complemented by the dedicated efforts of HRH Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Prince of Phitsanulok, revered as the "Father of the Royal Thai Air Force." Leveraging his expertise, the Prince systematically established the foundations for Siamese aviation, encompassing personnel training, aircraft procurement, airfield construction, and regulatory frameworks. Studying this history provides a profound understanding of the RTAF's esteemed heritage and fosters remembrance of the immense contributions of its founders, whose legacy forms the bedrock upon which the RTAF continues to perform its duties of defending the nation and serving the Thai people today.
