Friends flock to post tributes. "Two self-sacrificing pilots." They died while on duty in an accident involving an AT-6TH attack aircraft crashing in Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province.
On 29 January 2026, it was reported that at 10:20 a.m., one AT-6TH attack aircraft from Squadron 411, Wing 41, crashed during a training mission for Combat Search and Rescue in Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province (bearing 210 degrees, 60 kilometers from Chiang Mai Airport), which is an Air Force training area. The incident resulted in the deaths of two pilots while on duty. The event did not affect nearby residents or their property.
The two pilots were later identified as Squadron Leader Samatcha Khunmat (flight instructor), pilot 1, and Flight Lieutenant Korawit Jankid, pilot 2.
The Royal Thai Air Force expressed condolences to the self-sacrificing pilots who died in the line of duty and offered deepest sympathies to their families. It honored their dedication, courage, and sacrifice performed with honor and military dignity. To show respect and sympathy for the incident, the Air Force requested cooperation in refraining from sharing images of the pilots and the aircraft involved in the accident.
Meanwhile, a review of the pilots' Facebook pages showed many friends posting condolences and expressing sympathy to their families.