Sra Pathum Airfield
| Sra Pathum Airfield | |
|---|---|
สนามบินสระปทุม | |
| Royal Bangkok Sports Club, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand Near Bangkok in Thailand | |
 Sra Pathum Airfield during its early years | |
  Sra Pathum Airfield Location of Sra Pathum Airfield | |
| Coordinates | 13°44′20″N 100°32′15″E / 13.73889°N 100.53750°E |
| Type | Military airfield |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Thai Government |
| Operator | Royal Thai Air Force (initially operated by the Army) |
| Controlled by | Royal Thai Air Force |
| Open to the public | No |
| Condition | Dismantled |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Built for | Royal Thai Army Air Corps (later the Royal Thai Air Force) |
| In use | March 8 1914 |
| Fate | Dismantled, racing operations resumed. |
| Demolished | 1914 |
| Events | First airport in Thailand, hosting the first aircraft demonstration in 1911 |
| Airfield information | |
| Elevation | 10 feet (3 m) (approx.) AMSL |
Sra Pathum Airfield is the first airfield in Thailand established in 1911 at the site of Sra Pathum Racecourse in Bangkok, Thailand. On March 8, 1914, it was closed due to poor weather conditions and its proximity to Bangkok.
History of Sra Pathum Airfield
[edit]Seven years after Orville Wright’s invention, foreigners in Bangkok collaborated to bring an aircraft demonstration to Thailand for the first time ever, and contacted Belgian pilot Charles Van Den Born to bring the Henry Farman IV. [1]
At the time, most of Bangkok was marshy, flood-prone, and used for rice paddies. By chance, Karl Offer, a coordinator of Societe d’Aviation Extreme Oriente, was a member of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. He requested that the central racetrack should be used for the demonstration, as it had solid ground suitable to support the weight of the aircraft. Soon afterwards, the club constructed 15 new entrances and 4 bridges across surrounding moats, and also a temporary hangar in the golf course. On the evening of February 3, 1911, Minister of Defense General Phichai Srisuradej, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), and other Royal Family members visited the racecourse to watch the demonstration, which made headlines in the Bangkok Times.[2]
Soon after, three military officers were sent to attend aviation courses in France before returning in 1913 with 3 Breguet planes and 4 Nieuport monoplanes which the Thai government had ordered.[1] One Breguet plane was donated by a Siamese governor bringing the number to 8.[3]
In late 1913, the first test flight was made, and the Thai aeronautical engineering and flight training was established by the three officers. A temporary hangar was constructed behind the Pathumwan Police Patrol School. An aviation unit was formed through the Siamese Army.[3]
Closure
[edit]In 1914, the Ministry of Defense found the location unsuitable due to the fact that Sra Pathum Airfield was located in a flood-prone area when it rained during Monsoon, and also being close to the center of Bangkok City.[4] With the finishing of Don Mueang Airport, the aviation unit was transferred, and the Sra Pathum Racecourse run by the Royal Bangkok Sports Club continued operations as-per-usual. On March 8, 1914, the last flight took place, and Sra Pathum Airfield officially closed. The military flight took off from Sra Pathum Airport and landed at Don Mueang Airport. The aviation unit later evolved into the Royal Thai Air Force.[3]
See Also
[edit]- Old Chiang Rai Airport - The third airport in Thailand.
- Don Mueang Airport - The second airport (that replaced Sra Pathum) in Thailand.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Simandan, V. M. (March 8, 2013). "A Brief History of Aviation in Thailand".
- ^ Bandit Chulasai (2021-04-30). "สนามบินสระปทุม: บทบาทแรกของการบินไทย". Silpa Wattanatham. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ a b c "History - Royal Thai Air Force". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "A grand old centenarian keeps the flag flying" – via www.bangkokpost.com.