Aviation in Thailand came into being during
the reign of King Rama VI. On February 6, 1911, Mr.Charles
Van Den Born, a Belgian pilot made the first flight demostration
of the biplane "Henry Farman IV" at Sra Pathum
Racecourse. Field Marshal His Royal Highness Prince Nakhon
Jaisri Suradej, the Minister of War, and Field Marshal His
Royal Highness Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, Army Chief
of Staff, realized the importance of military aviation in
France and also confirmed the necessity for Thailand to
have the airplane as a military tool. The Aviation Unit
was then established in the Army at Sra Pathum Airfield
and the following Army officers were selected to attend
aviation course in France:
1. Major Luang Sakdi Salyavudh
2. Captain Luang Arvudhsikikorn
3. Lieutenant Thip Ketudat
While
they were in training, the Ministry of War ordered three
Breguet biplanes and four Nieuport monoplanes from France.
Later, Chao Phraya Apai Bhubet (Chum Aphaivong) donated
a fourth Breguet to the Ministry of War, bringing the
number to eight aircraft. The test flight was made in
France by the first three Thai pilots and the aircraft
were shipped to Thailand.
After the three officers graduated
and returned to Thailand on November 2, 1913, the Ministry
of War set up the Aviation Section (Army Aviation Unit)
in December of the same year, under the command of General
Prince Purachatra Jayakara, Inspector General. The foundation
in aviation both in flying training and aeronautical engineering
was laid by these three officers. The Royal Thai Air Force
thus acknowledges them as its Pioneers and Founding Fathers.
On December 29, 1913,
the first public test flight was made at Sra Pathum Airfield.
Field Marshal Prince Kamphaengbejra Agrayodhin, Inspector
General of the Royal Engineers, Field Marshal Prince Chakrabongse,
Army Chief of Staff, and a great number of crowds, viewed
the flight.
As the
aviation developped, Sra Pathum Airfield was deemed too
small and inconvenient. The Army Aviation Unit was decided
to relocate from a small and swampy Sra Pathum Airfield
to higher ground at Don Muang. Thus, in early 1915, the
Army supply Department began construction of hangars,
airfields and housing as well as all necessary facilities.
After completion, all these facilities were transfered
to Lieutenant Colonel Phraya Chalerm Arkas for use as
the new home of the Aviation Unit. The relocation of the
Aviation Unit was completed and resumed operations on
March 17, 1915.
By the order of the Ministry
of War dated March 27, 1915, the Aviation Unit was upgraded
to the Army Air Corps and the following three officers
were assigned as the Commander and the Assistant Commander
respectively:
1. Lieutenant Colonel Phraya
Chalerm Arkas, Commander of the Army Aviation Division.
2. Major Luang Arvudhsikikorn,
Assistant Commander.
3. Captain Luang Thayanpikart,
Assistant Commander.
(27 March 1915 - 18 March 1918)
- Ministry of Defense
- Chief of Staff, Royal Siamese Army
- Engineer Adjutant
- Army Air Corps
- Flying Unit, Flying Training School, Aeronautical
Workshop
On December 2, 1916, His Majesty
the King Vajiravudh graciously visited the Army Air Division.
His Majesty spent time there to view the air demonstration
and toured of the maintenance facilities and the Flying
Training School. Before returning to Bangkok, His Majesty
expressed his appreciation through General Prince Burachatra,
Engineer Adjutant, saying:
"Today I have witnessed
the remarkable progress of our aviation history. A universally
accepted fact is that aviation is one area of technology
that requires exceptional ability. To observe that this
undertaking has been carried out entirely by Thais, without
foreign assistance whatsoever, is a source of utmost pride"
The Army Aviation Unit had an
opportunity to participate in the Great Combat Exercise
held during late February to early March 1916, under the
direction of Field Marshal Prince Chakrabongse, Army Chief
of Staff Command.
In August 1916, World War I
broke out between the Axis; England, France and Russia.
In the early period of the War, His Majesty King Vajiravudh
wished to remain neutral. However, after a thorough considerations
of the national interests, he then decided to send an
expeditionary force to join with the Allied Forces on
July 22, 1917.
The expeditionary force headed
by Major Thayanpikart (Thip Ketudat) composed of 1,250
men from the Army Air Corps and Transport Corps in which
the Army four hundred were from the Army Air Corps. At
last the Allied Forces won the war on November 11, 1918
and the Peace Treaty was then signed.
After the war, procurement of
approximately 15 aircraft such as the new Nieuports (23
m2, 18 m2, 15 m2, 13 m2), Spad and Breguet 24 was made
to lay down a strong foundation for the Royal Thai Air
Force.
The Ministry of Defense order
dated March 19, 1918 created "Army Air Division"
which had the following units under its command.
1. Air Wings
2. Army Flying Training School
3. Aeronautical Workshops
The Ministry Defense realized
the importance of air power not only for military purposes
but also for other areas for example, commercial aviation
and transportation. Therefore, being called "Army
Aeronautical Department" did not entirely cover the
mission, the Ministry of Defense issued an order dated
1 December 1921 changing the name of "Army Air Division"
and "Army Flying Group" to"Air Division"
and "Flying Group".
By:sakpinit
pipitapan