His co-pilot successfully ejected from the fighter prior to it ploughing into the ground Wednesday during routine training, air force spokesman Captain Monthon Satchukorn told AFP.

The crash occurred in Yasothon province, just over 500 kilometresmiles) northeast of the capital, as the fighter was trying to return to its base in a nearby province, he said.

An air force investigation team will investigate the cause of incident, initially suspected of being a mechanical problem.

SPACE.WIRE