Peeking out from behind Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport, the Royal Thai Air Force Museum awaits. It’s a place where the history of Thai aviation unfolds. Ready to explore?
The Royal Thai Air Force Museum was established in 1952. Its mission is to preserve aircraft and aviation equipment. These items were used by the Royal Thai Air Force. Since 2020, the museum has been served by the Royal Thai Air Force Museum BTS station.
Inside the Royal Thai Air Force Museum, you will discover a unique collection. It includes rare airplanes and aviation treasures. There is an F11C and two surviving Japanese Tachikawa Ki-36 trainers. A Vought O2U Corsair is also on display, one of the last surviving examples. You can see Curtiss BF2C Goshawks, a Spitfire, Nieuports and Breguets.
The Royal Thai Air Force Museum also shows Thailand’s role in World War II. In December 1941, Imperial Japanese forces landed in Thailand. Thai forces resisted for one day. Then they were ordered to cease fire. They allowed Japanese forces to pass through. The Thai government declared war on Britain and the United States in January 1942. Thailand was technically a Japanese ally until Japan surrendered in 1945. The museum displays paintings of Thai fighter aircraft. They depict intercepting attacking US B-29s, P-38s and P-51s.
Since 2012, the Royal Thai Air Force Museum has been repaired. In 2020, it was renovated. The goal was to show the RTAF’s strategic direction. This included recognizing the national defense industry. The renovation aimed to promote Thailand 4.0. It also sought to raise awareness of sustainable air force development.
The Royal Thai Air Force Museum has many aircraft on display. There’s the Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver and the Fairey Firefly. You can see the Rockwell OV-10C Bronco and the Cessna A-37B Dragonfly. A replica of the Breguet 14 bomber is present. Other aircraft include the Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor and the Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
Further exploration reveals the Supermarine Spitfire XIV and the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat. There are also North American F-86F Sabres. Helicopter enthusiasts can view the Westland WS-51 Dragonfly and the Sikorsky YR-5A. The Bell UH-1H Iroquois and the Eurocopter AS-332L-2 Super Puma II are also on display.
The Royal Thai Air Force Museum also features liaison and observation aircraft. These include the Piper L-4 and the Stinson L-5 Sentinel. Trainer aircraft include the North American T-6F Texan and the de Havilland Tiger Moth. You’ll also find the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star.
The Royal Thai Air Force Museum is relatively small. It offers a unique look into Thailand’s aviation history. Aircraft on display are very rare. Some are the last of their kind. A two-seat bomber stands outside. It’s called the Paribatra. This was the first plane designed and built in Thailand in 1927.
Visiting the Royal Thai Air Force Museum is free. It is open every day except holidays from 9 am to 4 pm. Take your time to appreciate these vintage warplanes. Reflect on the stories they hold within their metallic frames.