According to Lenta.ru with reference to Thai data portal Thairath, Russia has delivered three transport helicopters Mi-17V-5 to the Utapao airport in Thailand using An-124 "Ruslan" at the end of February 2011. The helicopters were delivered in parts; the assembly of helicopters will be finished on March 4th 2011. Mi-17V-5s are being assembled by Russian specialists.
The new helicopters will be made operational for needs of Thailand's land forces. The decision regarding the acquisition of helicopters was made in 2008. The amount of transaction was 990 million baht ($32.4 million) including delivery of helicopters, technical maintenance and pilot training. Mi-17V-5s were acquired using funds intended for repair program of 15 UH-1 Huey helicopters, which has been cancelled. The program cost was 999 million baht.
Maximum speed of Mi-17V-5 is 300 km/h, it can carry 36 passengers for the maximum distance of 750 km. The helicopter's maximum payload is 4,5 tons. It was reported in 2005 that Thailand intends to acquire from three to six of Russian Mi-17s. Ministry of Defense of Thailand has ordered 16 such helicopters.











