The Beginning of Aviation in Thailand
On 17 December 1903 the Wright brothers succeeded in flying an engined aircraft — the real beginning of flying in the world — and nations were quick to appreciate the future importance of aviation. Eight years later a Belgian pilot, Van den Born, brought the “Orville Wright” to Thailand and performed the country’s first flight demonstration from 2–8 February 1911 at the Sa Pathum Horse Racing Course, now known as the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
Thailand displayed an active interest in aviation for self-protection and air transport. On 28 February 1911 three officers — Major Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut (Sunee Suwanprateep), Captain Luang Arwut Sikikorn (Long Sinsuk) and First Lieutenant Tip Ketuthat — were sent to attend a flying training course in France, where flying was at an advanced stage of development. They returned on 2 November 1913 with the eight aircraft the Thai government had ordered — four Breguets and four Nieuports, the first batch of Thai aircraft. The three new pilots became Thailand’s first group of pilots and were honoured as the forefathers of the Royal Thai Air Force.
The Ministry of Defence placed aviation under the command of the Army Engineer Inspector General Department, and part of the Sa Pathum Horse Racing Course became Sa Pathum airfield, Thailand’s first airport. As Sa Pathum proved too small and poorly located, Don Mueang was chosen as a new site: the first aircraft landed at Don Mueang Airfield on 8 March 1914, and on 27 March 1914 the Army Aviation Department was established to oversee it — laying the foundations of Thai aviation.
AOT Begins Operations
In 1940 (B.E. 2483) the Royal Thai Air Force established a Civil Aviation Division to handle international aviation; in 1948 (B.E. 2491) it was elevated to a department, and Don Mueang was upgraded to an international airport under the name “Don Mueang Airport”, officially renamed “Bangkok Airport” on 21 June 1955 (B.E. 2498).
Parliament subsequently enacted the Airports Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2522 (1979), establishing the Airports Authority of Thailand (AAT). Its staff commenced work under the Act on 1 July 1979, which is regarded as AOT’s founding day.
Expansion
From the start of its management of Bangkok Airport on 1 July 1979, AOT moved towards a more business-oriented administration and grew into a financially stable state enterprise. It subsequently took over four regional international airports from the Department of Commercial Aviation: Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, and Chiang Rai International Airport — which was later granted the royal name “Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport” by His Majesty the King.
On 4 August 2003, AOT took over the management of the Suvarnabhumi Airport project, improving facilities across its airports and preparing development plans in line with the rapid growth of air transport.
Becoming a Public Company
AOT’s growth led to a major transformation: corporatisation as a public limited company. It was registered as a juristic person on 30 September 2002 (B.E. 2545) under the name Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT).
Suvarnabhumi Opens
When AOT opened Suvarnabhumi Airport on 28 September 2006 (B.E. 2549), Bangkok Airport was renamed Don Mueang International Airport (13 March 2007). Suvarnabhumi serves as the country’s main international gateway, welcoming more than 40 million travellers a year.
Timeline
- 2–8 February 1911 — Van den Born performs Thailand’s first flight demonstration at the Sa Pathum Horse Racing Course.
- 1913 — Sa Pathum airfield, Thailand’s first airport, operates on the racecourse grounds under the Army Engineer Inspector General Department; the first Thai aircraft (four Breguets, four Nieuports) arrive from France.
- 8 March 1914 — Don Mueang Airfield opens, replacing the cramped Sa Pathum site.
- 27 March 1914 — The Army Aviation Department is established.
- 21 June 1955 — Don Mueang becomes an international airport under the name “Bangkok Airport”.
- 1 July 1979 — The Airports Authority of Thailand (AAT) is established by Act of Parliament; AOT’s founding day.
- 1 March 1988 — Chiang Mai International Airport joins.
- 26 August 1988 — Hat Yai International Airport joins.
- 8 October 1988 — Phuket International Airport joins.
- 2 October 1998 — Chiang Rai International Airport joins.
- 30 September 2002 — Registered as Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT).
- 4 August 2003 — AOT takes over the management of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
- 28 September 2006 — Suvarnabhumi Airport opens; Don Mueang is renamed Don Mueang International Airport (13 March 2007).