Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) operates a small, specialized helicopter fleet dedicated to environmental monitoring, disaster response and rapid-access transport. Operating from Khlong Luang Rangsit Heliport, MNRE aircrews support missions that require low-level surveillance, short-field landings and reliable performance in hot-and-high tropical conditions.

Unlike purely law-enforcement or military aviation units, MNRE’s aircraft are configured for flexible civil utility work, shifting between survey, transport and emergency support roles often within the same duty cycle.

Operational Roles

Typical MNRE helicopter taskings include:

-Low-level forest and coastal surveillance,

-Aerial mapping and photographic survey,

-Wildfire monitoring and coordination,

-Flood reconnaissance and relief logistics,

-Transport of inspectors, scientists, and emergency teams into remote areas.

These profiles prioritise visibility, cabin flexibility, and endurance over speed or heavy lift.

Airbus Helicopters H130 (EC130 T2)

The light-utility segment of the fleet is anchored by the Airbus H130, with known registrations MNRE-5119 and MNRE-5120.

The H130’s single-engine configuration, wide cabin and large panoramic windows make it particularly effective for observation and survey work. High useful load for its class allows the aircraft to carry multiple passengers or mission equipment while retaining good hover performance in Thailand’s high-temperature, high-humidity environment.

Key operational advantages include:
-Excellent external and downward visibility for survey crews

-Low external noise footprint, useful over wildlife and populated areas

-Flat floor cabin suitable for rapid reconfiguration

-Good hot-and-high performance margins for remote landing zones

At least one MNRE H130 has operated using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), aligning flight operations with the ministry’s environmental objectives and reflecting early adoption of lower-emission aviation practices within a government fleet.

Leonardo AW169

For missions requiring greater payload, range, and redundancy, MNRE operates the Leonardo AW169, a modern twin-engine medium-light helicopter.

The AW169 provides:

-Twin-engine safety for over-water and mountainous operations

-Higher cruise speed and extended operational radius

-Greater payload capacity for personnel and equipment

-Advanced avionics supporting all-weather and night operations (configuration dependent)

This aircraft is typically tasked with longer-range transport, multi-agency disaster response and utility missions where endurance and system redundancy are operational priorities.

Legacy and Transitional Types

Earlier MNRE aviation capability included platforms such as the Eurocopter EC135, well suited to surveillance and light transport and Airbus AS350 variants used for patrol and general utility roles. These aircraft supported the ministry’s early expansion into systematic aerial environmental monitoring and laid the groundwork for today’s more capable and mission-flexible fleet.

Operations at Khlong Luang Rangsit

At Khlong Luang Rangsit Heliport, MNRE helicopters are maintained on short-notice readiness, supporting both scheduled environmental patrols and unscheduled emergency deployments. Aircraft may launch for routine survey work and return to immediate standby for flood or wildfire response within the same operational period, requiring crews to remain current across multiple mission profiles.

The facility supports line maintenance, rapid refuelling, and mission reconfiguration, allowing the fleet to adapt quickly as operational priorities shift with seasonal weather patterns and emerging environmental threats.

Aviation Reporting thanks the MNRE teams at Khlong Luang Rangsit Heliport for access to their aircraft and operations.

Author: Duncan Campbell

Photography: Lucas & Christopher Walpole