Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), has been elected by member states in the Asia-Pacific region to serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Asia/Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG).
The selection took place during the APANPIRG meeting held from 24–26 November 2025 at the ICAO Asia and Pacific (ICAO APAC) Office in Bangkok, a key platform for shaping the future direction of air navigation development across the region.
APANPIRG, established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), plays a central role in driving the implementation of international air navigation standards within the Asia-Pacific region. Its core responsibilities include coordinating regional air navigation plans among member states, monitoring progress, and addressing issues related to air traffic management, airspace management, navigation systems, and safety standards. The objective is to ensure that the region’s aviation system remains safe, efficient, and capable of meeting the growing demand for air travel.
Currently, APANPIRG consists of representatives from 39 states across the Asia-Pacific region, along with two Special Administrative Regions of China and other territories. The group is supported by multiple technical sub-groups dedicated to advancing air navigation services in alignment with global aviation trends and ICAO requirements.
The election of the CAAT Director-General to a three-year term as APANPIRG Vice Chairperson marks an important milestone for Thailand. It reflects the country’s growing role and credibility in civil aviation oversight and strengthens Thailand’s contribution to regional cooperation aimed at enhancing air navigation systems and aligning Thai aviation standards with ICAO’s global framework in a sustainable and forward-looking manner.
