The air force has threatened legal action against those it says spread false rumours about a training trip to the US.
Air force spokesman ACM Monthon Satchukorn slammed reports online accusing the air force of using its aircraft to fly officers to the US for a holiday, explaining the group had flown out to attend a training course.
He said the rumours had tarnished the reputation of the air force and it may sue those who wrote and distributed the reports.
The visit to the US came to light after an air force officer was shot and wounded during a robbery in San Francisco last Tuesday. ACM Monthon said the officer, who was not identified, was one of 45 participants from the Thai air force who attended a joint training course with the US air force, code-named Red Flag Alaska, from Aug 6-23. They left Thailand on Aug 1 and flew to the US in an air force C-130 transport plane.
He said the training exercise has been held every two years since 1999 to teach personnel combat techniques and forge military ties.
After training, ACM Monthon said the air force personnel flew to San Francisco where the C-130 plane made a rest stop at the Travis air base last Monday and Tuesday. Some personnel then spent some leisure time in the city.
Last Tuesday, an officer went sightseeing in downtown San Francisco when a robber snatched his camera.
The officer gave chase and was shot by the robber's accomplice in a getaway car, wounding him in the arm. He was taken to hospital. Local police later apprehended the thief and shooter, ACM Monthon said.
He added the exercise participants, including the injured officer, were due to arrive back in Bangkok today. The officer is being cared for by a medical team during the flight.