| Sra Pathum Airfield | |
| Native Name: | สนามบินสระปทุม |
| Location: | Royal Bangkok Sports Club, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Nearest Town: | Bangkok |
| Country: | Thailand |
| Type: | Military airfield |
| Pushpin Map: | Thailand |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Sra Pathum Airfield |
| Ownership: | Thai Government |
| Operator: | Royal Thai Air Force (initially operated by the Army) |
| Controlledby: | Royal Thai Air Force |
| Open To Public: | No |
| Condition: | Dismantled |
| Built For: | Royal Thai Army Air Corps (later the Royal Thai Air Force) |
| Fate: | Dismantled, racing operations resumed. |
| Demolished: | 1914 |
| Events: | First airport in Thailand, hosting the first aircraft demonstration in 1911 |
| Elevation: | 10feet (approx.) |
Sra Pathum Airfield is the first ever airport in Asia, established in 1911 at the site of Sra Pathum Racecourse in Bangkok, Thailand. On March 8, 1914, it was closed due to poor weather conditions and its proximity to Bangkok.
Seven years after Orville Wright’s invention, foreigners in Bangkok collaborated to bring an aircraft demonstration to Thailand for the first time ever, and contacted Belgian pilot to bring the Henry Farman IV. While several other aviators were invited, only Charles had shown up.[1]
At the time, most of Bangkok was marshy, flood-prone, and used for rice paddies. By chance, Karl Offer, a coordinator of Societe d’Aviation Extreme Oriente, was also a member of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. He requested that the central racetrack should be used for the demonstration, as it had solid ground suitable to support the weight of the aircraft. Soon afterwards, the club constructed 15 new entrances and 4 bridges across surrounding moats, and also a temporary hangar in the golf course. On the evening of February 3, 1911, Minister of Defense General Phichai Srisuradej, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), and other Royal Family members visited the racecourse to watch the demonstration, which made headlines in the Bangkok Times.[2] People who wanted to experienced Bangkok from the sky could pay 50 baht for the experience, and the first foreigner to see Bangkok from above was Mr. F. Bopp. The public demonstration was suppose to end on February 6, however, it was extended 3 days extra due to public demand.[3]
King Rama VI was impressed by the air show, and on January 13, 1912, military officers Major Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut, Captain Luang Arwut Sikikorn and First Lieutenant Tip Ketuthat were sent to attend aviation courses in France.[1] By November 2, 1913, the three military officers returned with a French mechanic, 3 Breguet planes and 4 Nieuport monoplanes which the Thai government had ordered. They used a route through Russia and Japan, experiencing other flight demonstrations along the way.[4] One Breguet plane was donated by Chao Phraya Aphai Pubet, a wealthy Siamese governor, bringing the number to 8.[5]
In late 1913, the first test flight was made, and the Thai aeronautical engineering and flight training was established by the three officers. A temporary hangar was constructed behind the Pathumwan Police Patrol School.[5] On December 19, the officers conducted the first flight tests on the aircraft. On January 13, an aviation unit was formed through the Siamese Army. It was equipped with the 8 planes. Voted by the Thai cabinet on 31 May 1994, this day is annually celebrated as National Aviation Day.[6]
In 1914, the Ministry of Defense found the location unsuitable due to the fact that Sra Pathum Airfield was located in a flood-prone area when it rained during Monsoon, and also being close to the center of Bangkok City.[7] A new location was chosen by Prince Chakrabongse, 23 kilometers north of Bangkok, which could only be accessed by railways at the time. With the finishing of Don Mueang Airport, the aviation unit was transferred, and the Sra Pathum Racecourse run by the Royal Bangkok Sports Club continued operations as-per-usual. On March 8, 1914, the last flight took place, and Sra Pathum Airfield officially closed. The military flight took off from Sra Pathum Airport and landed at Don Mueang Airport. The aviation unit later evolved into the Royal Thai Air Force.[5]