February 23, 1998 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
Thailand's economic downturn has forced the cash-strapped air force to ground 100 fighter-jet pilots whom it can no longer afford to train.
The F-16 pilots have seen their training programs suspended indefinitely as budget cuts and falling state revenues hit the country's military hard.
"More than 100 pilots have been sent to study flying theory at the air force's institute of higher education instead of receiving flight training."
Only 15 pilots from each wing of the air force have been selected for flight training, which costs 140, 000 baht (3, 200 dollars) per hour. Some 80,000 baht of that is spent on fuel and the rest on maintenance.
Trained pilots are required to clock up 12-15 flying hours per month. The military has seen its procurement budget cut as the government tightens its belt to meet tough International Monetary Fund budgetary requirements under Bangkok's economic rescue deal.
