Royal Thai Air Force

From Freepedia

The Royal Thai Air Force is the airforce of Thailand.

Early History

In February 1911 the Belgian pilot Van den Born displayed the first aircraft in Thailand at the Sa Pathum Horse Racing Course. The Thai authorities were impressed enough by the display that on 28 February 1913 they dispatched three officers to learn to fly in France, at the time a leading aviation country.

The three officers (Major Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut (Sunee Suwanprateep), Captain Luang Arwut Sikikorn (Long Sinsuk) and First Lieutenant Tip Ketuthat) learnt to fly and on 2 November 1913 returned to Thailand with eight aircraft (four Breguets and four Nieuports). They are today regarded as the forefathers of the Royal Thai Air Force. In March of the next year they moved from Sa Patham airfield to Don Muang.

The Ministry of Defence put the early airforce under the control of the Army Engineer Inspector General Department.

References

• Early history of the Airports of Thailand Authority

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