Air Force Awards Honorary Pilot Badge to Anutin for His Volunteer Flight Contributions

On October 16, 2025, at 7.30 a.m., Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received an Honorary Pilot Proficiency Badge from Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, at Don Mueang Air Force Base before departing for an official visit to Laos. The honor recognizes Anutin’s contributions to aviation and his support for humanitarian flight missions.

Air Chief Marshal Seksan said the badge is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Air Force or national aviation. He noted that Anutin’s long-standing volunteer work through the “Wings of Heart” project exemplifies such dedication.

Anutin founded the “Wings of Heart” project, serving as a volunteer pilot for emergency medical flights that transport donated organs from brain-dead donors to patients in need of transplants. Using his private aircraft, Anutin began these missions in late 2014, during his tenure as Minister of Public Health, to help deliver organs as quickly as possible and save lives.

His first mission took place on December 24, 2014, when he piloted a flight to Roi Et province at the request of his longtime friend, Dr. Patchara Ongcharit, a transplant surgeon who trusted in his flying skills. Anutin immediately agreed, marking the beginning of his life-saving aviation journey.

Over the past 11 years, Anutin has completed more than 80 missions, assisting over 200 patients (with over 50 flights reported in 2022 and reaching 70 by 2024). His dedication earned him the Honorary Pilot Wings from the National Institute for Emergency Medicine and a commendation plaque from the Thai Red Cross Society, reconizing his humanitarian service.

Anutin keeps himself ready for every call from Dr. Patchara, saying he would never refuse a mission. As he once remarked, “I’m just the pilot, the real heroes are the doctors. Even as Prime Minister, I can’t stop flying these missions, because they make me truly happy.”

After the ceremony, his wife Thananont Niramit placed the badge on his chest before he posed for a photo with the Air Force Commander.

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