Royal Thai Air Force Bases
Encyclopedia
Within the period of 1954-1975 (the Vietnam War
or Second Indochina War), the Thai
Government allowed the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG)
to fund and manage the modernization of Royal Thai Air Force airbases. In an unsigned agreement these airbases were to be operated by the United States Air Force
for the specific purpose of attacking North Vietnam
with some 500 airplanes. These bases were supplied by a similarly constructed Naval Base near the deep-water port of Sattahip 12 37' 42" N, 100 55' 29" E. Many American military specialists were assigned to JUSMAG-THAI in Bangkok
. As many as 45,000 US Military personnel were stationed in Thailand.
experienced one of the most rapid growth rates among developing countries—more than 10% per year in GNP, and about 8% per year in real output. The First National Economic Development Plan (1961-1966) was successfully implemented. US grant economic assistance totals about $500 million through the end of 1970. Direct military assistance totaled another $800 million for the same period; continuing at the rate of $25 and $55 million per year. According to US government statistics, between 1950 and 1987 the US provided Thailand with more than US$2 billion in military assistance.
The vast nature of this enterprise enriched Thailand at every level of society, enabling a jump in indigenous heavy construction, communications, transportation, and defense. The following categories are found in United States Government Accountability Office
catalog summaries: Locomotives, Aeronautical Ground Services, Bangkok-Saraburi Highway, Southern Roads, Development Loans, Technical Support, Civil Police, Village Radios, Agricultural Development, Rural Health, Potable Water, Malaria Eradication, Rural Elecrification, Chiangmai Medical School.
Additionally there was the construction of
315 km (196 mi) of all-weather roads located in the North and North-East, requiring 138 bridges and culverts, costing $11 million ($174,000 for maintenance equipment; requiring the training of 199 (36 mechanics, 6 supply specialists, 97 equipment operators, 60 drivers)).
found it too costly to operate any but Khorat and Takhli
, but so far, the runways of the others may still be usable. These 3000 meter runways are visible from space on Google Earth
.
Library "Pamphlet HC Thailand 370" 3-1924-007-619-574.
AID (Agency for International Development) Assistance Through FY 1968 (millions of dollars)
Development Indicators Taiwan vs Thailand: GNP 234/141, Per Capita Electric Power 680/58, Literacy Rate 72/70, Inhabitants per physician 1500/7300, Roads per 1000 square miles 590/40, Population Density 1010/170,
Thai Gross National Product (GNP) in constant 1965 millions of dollars: 1961/2925, 1962/3082, 1963/3386, 1964/3590, 1965/3907, 1966/4339, 1967/4551
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
or Second Indochina War), the Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
Government allowed the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG)
Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
The U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, MACV, , was the United States' unified command structure for all of its military forces in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.-History:...
to fund and manage the modernization of Royal Thai Air Force airbases. In an unsigned agreement these airbases were to be operated by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
for the specific purpose of attacking North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
with some 500 airplanes. These bases were supplied by a similarly constructed Naval Base near the deep-water port of Sattahip 12 37' 42" N, 100 55' 29" E. Many American military specialists were assigned to JUSMAG-THAI in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. As many as 45,000 US Military personnel were stationed in Thailand.
History - 1960s
During the 1960s ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
experienced one of the most rapid growth rates among developing countries—more than 10% per year in GNP, and about 8% per year in real output. The First National Economic Development Plan (1961-1966) was successfully implemented. US grant economic assistance totals about $500 million through the end of 1970. Direct military assistance totaled another $800 million for the same period; continuing at the rate of $25 and $55 million per year. According to US government statistics, between 1950 and 1987 the US provided Thailand with more than US$2 billion in military assistance.
The vast nature of this enterprise enriched Thailand at every level of society, enabling a jump in indigenous heavy construction, communications, transportation, and defense. The following categories are found in United States Government Accountability Office
Government Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office is the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. It is located in the legislative branch of the United States government.-History:...
catalog summaries: Locomotives, Aeronautical Ground Services, Bangkok-Saraburi Highway, Southern Roads, Development Loans, Technical Support, Civil Police, Village Radios, Agricultural Development, Rural Health, Potable Water, Malaria Eradication, Rural Elecrification, Chiangmai Medical School.
Additionally there was the construction of
315 km (196 mi) of all-weather roads located in the North and North-East, requiring 138 bridges and culverts, costing $11 million ($174,000 for maintenance equipment; requiring the training of 199 (36 mechanics, 6 supply specialists, 97 equipment operators, 60 drivers)).
End of War
The end of the war resulted in all US personnel and equipment being removed by 1976 by Thai request. The Royal Thai Air ForceRoyal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
found it too costly to operate any but Khorat and Takhli
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility. It is located in Central Thailand, approximately 144 miles northwest of Bangkok in Takhli district, Nakhon Sawan Province, near the city of Nakhon Sawan.- Units :...
, but so far, the runways of the others may still be usable. These 3000 meter runways are visible from space on Google Earth
Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency funded company acquired by Google in 2004 . It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite...
.
- (RTN) U-Tapao International AirportU-Tapao International Airport-Charter services:-Accidents and incidents:On 28 October 1977, a Douglas DC-3 of Air Vietnam was hijacked to U-Tapao International Airport where the four hijackers surrendered. Two people on board the aircraft were killed in the hijacking...
-----12 41' N, 101 00' E - Ubon RatchathaniUbon Royal Thai Air Force BaseUbon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility and is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. It is located in East-Central Thailand, near the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Ubon Ratchathani Province. It is approximately 305 miles North-East of Bangkok...
---------15 15' N, 104 52' E - KhoratKorat Royal Thai Air Force BaseKorat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. It is located in northeast Thailand, located approximately 157 miles northeast of Bangkok and about 5 miles south of Nakhon Ratchasima , the second largest city in Thailand.During the Vietnam War, Korat RTAFB was the...
(Nakhon Ratchasima) -------14°55′58"N 102°04′40"E - Khon Kaen----16 28' N, 102 47' E
- Udon ThaniUdorn Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdorn Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force base, the home of 2nd Air Division/23rd Wing Air Combat Command.The 231 Squadron "Hunter" is assigned to Udorn, equipped with the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet-A.-History:...
---------17 23' N, 102 47' E - Ta KhliTakhli Royal Thai Air Force BaseTakhli Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility. It is located in Central Thailand, approximately 144 miles northwest of Bangkok in Takhli district, Nakhon Sawan Province, near the city of Nakhon Sawan.- Units :...
-------15°16′17"N 100°17′40"E - Nam PhongRoyal Thai Air Base Nam PhongThe Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong in Nam Phong district, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand in June 1972 became a base of operations for United States Marine Corps air operations by Marine Aircraft Group 15, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing....
----16 39' N, 102 58' E - Nakhon PhanomNakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force BaseNakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base , formerly Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, is a Royal Thai Navy facility used for riverine patrols along the Mekong River. It is located approximately 365 miles northeast of Bangkok, 9 miles west of Nakhon Phanom city in Nakhon Phanom Province in the...
------17 23' N, 104 39' E
Summary of US Aid
The following data is taken from what appears to be a working paper summary of the United States Operations Mission (USOM) in Thailand dated 1968, found at the Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
Library "Pamphlet HC Thailand 370" 3-1924-007-619-574.
AID (Agency for International Development) Assistance Through FY 1968 (millions of dollars)
- Grants 431; Loans 64; Regional 34: Total 529
- Staff: 460 Americans, 660 Thai
- Training: 6300 Thais sent abroad 1951-68 for study in the fields of: Agriculture 1490, Education 1341, Health 969, Public Administration 824, Civil Police 435, Community Development 501, Transportation 287, Industry 202, Labor 28, Mekong & Pa Mong Projects 16, General 218.
Development Indicators Taiwan vs Thailand: GNP 234/141, Per Capita Electric Power 680/58, Literacy Rate 72/70, Inhabitants per physician 1500/7300, Roads per 1000 square miles 590/40, Population Density 1010/170,
Thai Gross National Product (GNP) in constant 1965 millions of dollars: 1961/2925, 1962/3082, 1963/3386, 1964/3590, 1965/3907, 1966/4339, 1967/4551
See also
- http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13803.html
- http://home.pcisys.net/~jjwilson/tob.html