Old Chiang Rai Airport | |
Icao: | VTCR |
Type: | Public / Military |
Owner-Oper: | Royal Thai Air Force |
City-Served: | Chiang Rai |
Location: | Chiang Rai, Thailand |
Elevation-F: | 1,312 |
Elevation-M: | 400 |
R1-Number: | 18/36 |
R1-Length-F: | 5,065 |
R1-Length-M: | 1,544 |
R1-Surface: | Asphalt |
Old Chiang Rai Airport is a non-active airport near the city of Chiang Rai in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand.
In 1926, Chiang Rai Airport was established, making it the first airport in the region and the second in Thailand. Later, during the Pacific War, it was used for transporting military equipment. It was the former base of the 417th Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force. In 1992, it was thought to have been abandoned as the new airport opened. The runways and its area is currently used for recreational activities and events, being used amongst the locals as a park.
In 2018, the airport was used as a heliport to support the Tham Luang cave rescue.[1]