"Captain Toi," a former fighter pilot, encourages the Thai Air Force to conclude the conflict with Cambodia. He stresses three tactics: "speed, intensity, and decisiveness," supporting the coordinated efforts of the three military branches to seize key positions before negotiations. The outcome is expected before the end of this year.,
On 14 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Air Commodore Dr. Punnat Nampa, known as Captain Toi, deputy secretary-general of the United Thai Nation Party (UTNP) and former fighter pilot at Wing 21 in Ubon Ratchathani, analyzed the Thai Air Force's air power strategy to protect sovereignty along the Thai-Cambodian border. He said that in combat, whoever controls the airspace wins. Therefore, the Thai Air Force’s strategy is appropriate in terms of personnel size and weapon capabilities. The key is to penetrate enemy territory and destroy their strategic points to cut off Cambodian army supply lines and arsenals.
The Air Force is working intensively with the Army and Navy to accelerate operations with greater speed, decisiveness, and intensity. Personally, I believe the fighting should end by the end of this year to resolve the conflict quickly, as the cost of loss is high — including soldiers’ lives, economic impact, social disruption, and the morale of the people, which is crucial.
Caution is needed in the use of weapons.
Air Commodore Dr. Punnat added that while the Thai Air Force possesses great power and destructive capability, its tactics must be used carefully. It should not be driven by public pressure to use excessive force. The rules of engagement and laws of war must be strictly observed to avoid civilian harm. Attacks should be limited to frontline military forces or strategic points only. The strategy of seizing strategic areas before opening negotiations ensures the enemy will not return to our territory. This is not an infringement on sovereignty but the destruction of extended strategic points beyond the battlefield to gain leverage for smooth negotiations.
The deputy secretary-general of the United Thai Nation Party also said the Thai Air Force is like the unsung hero, not only operating F-16 fighter jets and Gripen warplanes but also helicopters for pilot rescue (Air Evacuation) in case Thai aircraft are downed, and electronic surveillance planes that continuously provide aerial imagery to the air operations center for combat command. Cambodia’s air force lacks the capability to counter the Thai Air Force because it has no interceptor aircraft, forcing them to rely on drones controlled by mercenaries. Meanwhile, the Thai Air Force has prepared secret weapons to block aerial advances, Air Commodore Dr. Punnat concluded.