Royal Thai Air Force to open facilities and golf courses to public

[webfact]

 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decided to open select facilities and golf courses to the public under certain conditions, according to the commander-in-chief, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul.

 

This decision follows a request from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to use the Kantarat Golf Course, situated between Don Mueang International Airport’s runways, and access other RTAF properties for state project development.

 

The 61 year old prime minister’s request also includes the transformation of the Dhupatemiya Stadium Golf Course into a sports complex.

 

He has further requested access through the Wing 1 facilities to be used by the neighbouring commercial airport in Nakhon Ratchasima, and the construction of a ring road through Wing 41 to alleviate traffic congestion in downtown Chiang Mai. A panel comprising all relevant bodies will investigate this issue, according to the prime minister.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-13

 

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[Lacessit]

Most of the military golf courses seem to be run by the army. AFAIK they are always open to the public.

[khunjeff]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

 [Prime Minister Srettha] has further requested...the construction of a ring road through Wing 41 to alleviate traffic congestion in downtown Chiang Mai.

 

"Regarding the Wing 41 plan, motorists could be required to register with the RTAF and possibly undergo background checks if they are allowed to enter the base. Vehicles entering this security zone could also be inspected."

 

Yes, that certainly sounds like a sensible and efficient way to operate a public highway intended to improve traffic flow 🙄

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

always open to the public.

For a fee isn't it?

Like the military gun ranges that are "open to the public" as if they were private enterprises, albeit not under control of the government but directly under control of the military as if the military command was a separate sovereign entity.

[TigerandDog]

Firstly all 3 mentioned golf courses are already open to the public.

 

Secondly, for those who love their golf but find all the surrounding private and semi-private courses too expensive, it's these courses that allow the not so wealthy with a love of the game to play at a price they can afford.

 

All 3 courses should be left alone. This is just the PM looking to force people, including military personnel, out of the game, and keep it only for the hisos.

Edited February 13 by TigerandDog

[Lacessit]

6 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

For a fee isn't it?

Like the military gun ranges that are "open to the public" as if they were private enterprises, albeit not under control of the government but directly under control of the military as if the military command was a separate sovereign entity.

You think they should be free?

IME military courses are usually cheaper than their private club counterparts.

[TigerandDog]

5 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

For a fee isn't it?

Like the military gun ranges that are "open to the public" as if they were private enterprises, albeit not under control of the government but directly under control of the military as if the military command was a separate sovereign entity.

You obviously have no concept of the difference between private, semi-private and public golf courses.

 

Of course you have to pay. There isn't a golf course in the world that allows you to play for free.

 

Let me see you walk into any of the private courses, off the street, and be allowed to play. You can't unless you are a member, and you have to pay hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of baht for the membership.

 

Similarly with a semi-private course. The ONLY way you get to play those courses is by either being invited by a member OR on Sports Day, if they hold one.

 

All the military courses (Army, Navy & Air Force) are available to Joe public to just turn up, pay the green fee, and play.

 

All 3 mentioned courses are extremely popular, and these decisions will not go down well with those that currently play them, especially the military personnel.

 

[spidermike007]

It kind of boggles the mind, to consider the armed forces doing something to actually benefit the people. Such generosity. I always considered the golf course at Don Muang to be bizarre, and a likely hazard for planes, and the public. It should be closed.

[TigerandDog]

22 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

It kind of boggles the mind, to consider the armed forces doing something to actually benefit the people. Such generosity. I always considered the golf course at Don Muang to be bizarre, and a likely hazard for planes, and the public. It should be closed.

have you actually been on the Kantarat Golf Course? I doubt it. The runways are far enough away from the golf course for even the worst golf shots to get anywhere near any planes regardless of whether they are landing, taking off or taxiing.

 

Generally your posts make sense, but your final sentence in this one is just dumb, and not based facts, or the experience of having actually ever played golf there.