Chiang Kham Airport
Chiang Kham Airport สนามบินเชียงคำ | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Former Chiang Kham Airport in 2013. | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Defunct | ||||||||||
| Owner | Royal Thai Air Force | ||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Thai Army | ||||||||||
| Location | Phayao, Thailand (56110) | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1967 | ||||||||||
| Closed | 1990s | ||||||||||
| Built | 1966 | ||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+7 (+7) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 389 m / 1,275 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 19°29′50″N 100°17′7.99″E / 19.49722°N 100.2855528°E | ||||||||||
| Website | Chiang Kham Airport Info | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  VTCB Location in Thailand | |||||||||||
 | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Chiang Kham Airport (ICAO: VTCB) is a disused airport located in Chiang Kham district, Phayao province, Thailand. It was built in 1966 by the United States Naval Seabees and closed in the 1990s.
History
[edit]Chiang Kham Airport was built in 1966 by the United States Naval Seabees. Following Seabee Team 0909’s training at the 31s Naval Construction Regiment, they deployed to Thailand via C-130 aircraft and arrived on November 1st, 1966. Seabee Team 0909 collaborated with the Thai Border Patrol Police, utilizing heavy equipment such as bulldozers and loaders to improve road infrastructure to Chiang Kham Airport.[1] Seabee Team 1109 arrived to Chiang Kham on April 25, 1967 to relieve construction operations for team 0909.[2] In 1969, it was listed as a destination on the Air America Site book.[3]
Communist Conflicts
[edit]From 1967 to 1982, the airfield participated in conflicts against communist insurgents in Thailand.[4] In the 1970s, the RTAF conducted counter-insurgency missions using aircraft such as the Peacemaker (AU-23A). During Operation Thong Pha Phum in 1974, Flying Unit 2232, Task Force 170, and Task Force 172 were based at Chiang Kham Airport.[5]
Post Use
[edit]In the 1990s, the airfield was abandoned and its ownership was transferred to the Royal Thai Army. [3] The site is currently operated by the Khun Chom Tham Camp occupied by the 31st Ranger Regiment, Phayao.[6][7]
Present Day
[edit]In February 2018, a proposal was made to reopen Chiang Kham Airport to boost tourism and transportation of goods in the region, however, the plan was never pursued. On February 19, Mr. Anurak Prongsuya, President of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization of Aoi Subdistrict announced the nearing completion of a border crossing between Phu Sang Subdistrict will boost tourism and transportation of goods in the region. Therefore, the former military airfield being repurposed for civilian traffic could boost the movement of people and goods. [8]
Commemoration
[edit]A monument commemorating the 399 lives lost during the battles against the insurgents, had been built by the RTAF north of Chiang Kham Airport.[4]
Layout
[edit]The airport has a concrete 18/36 runway (1,271m), and a 355m long apron.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Data set on Chiang Kham's historical role during the Vietnam War". Community Archive Thailand. Social Archive of Thailand. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "This Week in Seabee History (April 29 - May 5)". Seabee Magazine. U.S. Navy. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Chiang Kham Airport". Thai Flying Club. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Military Museum of Phayao". Thai Cultural Promotion and Preservation Center. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Peacemaker: 50th Anniversary of the RTAF's Counter-Insurgency Operations". Spacebar. Spacebar Thailand. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "Happy Landings: Airports in Thailand". The BigChilli. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "กรมทหารพรานที่ 31 พะเยา". Thailand YellowPages. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "สนามบินเชียงคำอาจใช้รองรับการเติบโตเศรษฐกิจชายแดน". Technology Chaoban. 21 February 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ VTCB - Buri Ram Airport - Airport Nav Finder