The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) says both the pilot and aircraft were fit and in good condition before the fatal crash of a jet fighter during an air show marking Children's Day in Hat Yai on Saturday.
fatal moment: A photo captured from a video clip shows the explosion after the crash of the Gripen jet fighter at Wing 56 in Hat Yai.
The air force has launched an investigation into the crash.
Sqn Ldr Dilokrit Pattavee, 34, a pilot from Surat Thani-based Wing 7, was killed when the Swedish-made Gripen JAS 39C crashed and exploded in front of children and parents near a runway.
The Gripen was one of the air force's nine jet fighters taking part in the air show as part of Children's Day activities at Wing 56 in Hat Yai in Songkhla province. The event was crowded with children and parents.
Witnesses said the ill-fated aircraft was making an approach to the airport to perform a so-called "surprise attack" manoeuvre when it lost control, nosedived and exploded after impact.
AVM Sorakit Mangsing, director of the RTAF's Safety Centre, said that after a meeting with air force investigators in Hat Yai that it was too early to establish the cause of the crash.
He said crash investigators will make thorough inspections of the crash site and review evidence. Initial findings will take at least a month.
According to AVM Sorakit, there are several factors that might have played a part in the crash and the investigation will take time to collect and analyse evidence.
"We've just launched an investigation, so it is too early to say what caused the crash," he said.
However, he stressed that the pilot was well trained and the aircraft was in good condition for the air show, adding that the Gripen underwent aircraft maintenance checks as scheduled.
Sqn Ldr Dilokrit's body was retrieved and sent to Songklanagarind Hospital in Songkhla.
The body is expected to be moved for funeral services tomorrow, he said, adding that the family arrived at Wing 56 to make preparations.
Sqn Ldr Dilokrit will be promoted posthumously to the rank of air marshal in line with regulations. His family is entitled to 2.6 million baht in compensation, according to a source.
He was the eldest son of ACM Arom Pattawee, former deputy chief-of-staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. He was from Class 43 of the Armed Forces Preparatory School and got married in 2014.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday extended his condolences to the family of Sqn Ldr Dilokrit and the air force while asking military units that hosted Children's Day activities across the country to strictly observe safety procedures.
As rescue trucks and fire engines were rushing to the crash scene, one of them overturned and blocked the runway of Hat Yai International Airport. Airport operations resumed at about 12.30pm after the runway was cleared.
Fourteen flights in and out of the airport were delayed, but over 1,000 passengers were affected by the incident as they waited for flights. The airport resumed normal services in the afternoon.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has instructed the air force to investigate the crash and provide assistance to the pilot's family.
The armed forces and the police were also urged to strictly follow safety procedures in their demonstrations.
The air force's Facebook page also urged the public not to share video clips and photos of the crash out of respect for the victim's family.