On 14 September 2024, at approximately 16:10 local time, King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand and Queen Suthida arrived at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport aboard a royal Boeing 737‑800. The monarch and his consort occupied the pilot and co‑pilot seats, reflecting the king’s former career as a Royal Thai Air Force aviator and the queen’s background as a former airline cabin crew member. Despite light rain, the aircraft landed on schedule and the royal couple was escorted by a red Lạc Hồng limousine to the VIP A terminal hall.
The arrival ceremony was attended by senior Vietnamese officials, including Chief of the President’s Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang, and Vietnam’s ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung. Representing Thailand were Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya, Royal Office Secretary‑General and Air Force General Satitpong Sukvimol, Deputy Secretary‑General Lieutenant Colonel Somchai Kanjanamanee, and senior royal aides Admiral Weerasak Oggungwan and Air Force General Chettha Muernkaew.
Invited by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse, the three‑day visit (14‑16 September) is the first state visit by a Thai monarch since diplomatic relations were established in 1976, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of those ties. It follows the May visit of Vietnam’s leadership to Thailand, during which both sides signed an Action Programme for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership covering 2026‑2031, underscoring deepening bilateral cooperation.