OFFICE OF THE AIR ATTACHE
The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.
 
 

 

history1

Field Marshal Prince Chakrabongse, Army Chief of staff, about to go aloft in the Henri Farman,
January 31, 1911. (Royal Thai Air Force Museum)

Pioneer Days

The history of the Royal Thai Air Force started in 1911, under king Vajiravudh's reign, after Mr. Van Den Born the Belgian pilot made the first flying demonstration of the Orville Wright aircraft in Thailand at Sra Prathom Race Course.

Field Marshal Prince Nakorn Chaisri Suradet, Minister of War, and Field Marshal Prince Chakrabongse, Army Chief of Staff, aware of the progress of Aviation in France recognized the necessity of acquiring airplanes for the defence of Siam (the former name of Thailand). The ministry of War (now known as the Ministry of Defence) then decided to establish avaition as part of the army and sent the following 3 officers to train in France.
 

history2

French pilot's licenses of Major Luang Sakdisulyavudh (later Air Marshal Phraya Chalerm Akas, top) ,
Captain Luang Arvudsikikorn (later Air Marshal Phraya Vehasayan Silapasit, left) and Captain Tip Ketudat
(later Air Marshal Thayanpikart, right) in 1913 (Royal Thai Air Force Museum) 

1. Major Luang Sakdisulyavudh (Sunee Suwanpratheep)
2. Captain Luang Arvudsikikorn (Loang Sinsuk)
3. First Lieutenant Thip Ketudat

While the three officers were being trained in France, the Military of War ordered there Breguet III biplanes and four Nieuport monoplanes from France; one Brequet III was donated by Chao Phya Aphai Pubet, making a total of eight aircraft for the newly created unit.

history3

A Nieuport IIN brought back from France (Royal Thai Air Force Museum)

On 13 January 1913. His Majesty King Vajiravudh personally views the demonstration flight by the three pilots, Lt. Col. Luang Sakdisulyavudh, Maj. Luang Arvudsikikorn and Capt. Luang Thayanpikat and was most pleased with the success of the flight. The king then graciously conferred upon Lieutenant Colonel Luang Sakdisulyavudh with Dushdi Mala Medal after the flight. This great day of his Majesty's visit, the government thus designated 13 January as the National Aviation Day in 31 May 1994 in order to commemorate this Occasion.

 

| Previous | Next |

 

  
 
Any questions/comments, please contact saharach@aol.com