The Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has denied reports that the United States asked to use U-Tapao International Airport as a military base for operations against Iran. The minister said a meeting on 4 March between the prime minister and Sean K. O’Neill did not include any such discussion. Instead, talks focused on bilateral relations, tariffs and defence cooperation.

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Sihasak stated that while Thailand permits routine use of its airports for refuelling and overflights under existing security arrangements, using them as bases to launch attacks against another country would contradict national policy. He emphasised that Thailand maintains good relations with Iran and would not allow its territory to be used for offensive military operations against another state.

The minister addressed the issue amid rising regional tensions and speculation about potential military activity linked to the Iran conflict. Thailand has long allowed certain logistical cooperation with partner countries, including the United States, but these arrangements typically involve transit or refuelling rather than operational combat roles.

Sihasak also confirmed discussions with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand regarding the evacuation of Thai nationals currently in Iran. According to the foreign ministry, more than 200 Thai citizens remain in the country, and authorities are working to ensure their safe return.

Plans involve transporting evacuees from Tehran by land to the Turkey border. Sihasak said an evacuation plan had already been prepared, although operational details could not be disclosed publicly for security reasons.

Thai authorities have coordinated with both the Embassy of Thailand in Iran and the Iranian embassy in Thailand to ensure safety arrangements. The government has also been in contact with the United States and Israel regarding the route, timing and logistical details for moving evacuees from Tehran to the Turkish border.

The minister described the evacuation effort as a humanitarian operation and stressed that the route should remain clear of fighting. He outlined Thailand’s position on the broader conflict, saying the government’s priorities were protecting Thai citizens, maintaining neutrality and supporting a peaceful resolution through diplomatic negotiations.

Sihasak added that Thailand also supports solutions based on international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Responding to criticism from some experts and former officials who argued the government’s stance lacked clarity, he insisted Thailand’s position was already clear and balanced.

The Nation reported that he said the government’s approach was designed to safeguard national interests, particularly the safety of more than 100,000 Thai nationals living across the wider region affected by the conflict.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 7 Mar 2026

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Why not? Then U-Tapao could finally get some use....lol

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand will be changing personnel shortly. LOL

It would be a shorter trip for those stealth bombers than flying from Missouri...

The U.S. does not need U-Tapao. You have Ramstein in Germany:

As of early March 2026, Ramstein Air Base in Germany plays a critical, strategic role in supporting U.S. military operations related to the escalating conflict with Iran. It serves as a key logistical hub for the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and is crucial for coordinating operations in the Middle East.

Key Aspects of Ramstein's Role (March 2026):

• Logistical Hub: Ramstein is experiencing high activity, serving as a main hub for U.S. weapon and troop transports to the Middle East.

• Electronic Warfare Support: In late January 2026, a U.S. EA-37B Compass Call aircraft—designed to jam enemy radar and communication systems—landed at Ramstein, indicating preparation for operations against Iranian air defense systems.

• Increased Activity: Following restrictions placed by other European nations (e.g., Spain) on using their bases for attacks on Iran, Ramstein's importance as a reliable hub for the U.S. has increased.

• Strategic Positioning: The base hosts the largest U.S. Air Force installation outside the United States and is pivotal for U.S.-led operations in the region.

• Technical Infrastructure: The base houses key components of the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS), which is essential for processing data and controlling drone operations used in precision strikes.

• Medical Support: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, located near the base, is the largest U.S. military hospital abroad and has paused routine services to prioritize casualties from the Middle East conflict.

German Political Context:

• Government Stance: Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been credited with allowing U.S. forces to use German bases, including Ramstein, for actions against the Iranian regime.

If the US ever does ask, give them a hard no.

30 minutes ago, newnative said:

If the US ever does ask, give them a hard no.

Someone might be able to inform me but I wonder if the US paid for and built U-Tapao during the Vietnam war.i

Go on flightradar24 website and search “REPAT54” and look at its history 🤔

If a politician says no in Thailand, that's a sure yes. Remember the US secret torture site for so-called "terrorists"?

The UK and Germany should remain neutral and not permit the use of any bases to be military staging for the US unprovoked attack on Iran.

US national security threat, my sweet tuchus.

7 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

If a politician says no in Thailand, that's a sure yes. Remember the US secret torture site for so-called "terrorists"?

The UK and Germany should remain neutral and not permit the use of any bases to be military staging for the US unprovoked attack on Iran.

US national security threat, my sweet tuchus.

What secret torture base?

17 hours ago, wavodavo said:

Someone might be able to inform me but I wonder if the US paid for and built U-Tapao during the Vietnam war.i

Yes they did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Tapao_Royal_Thai_Navy_Airfield

9 minutes ago, Paradise Pete said:

Yes they did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-Tapao_Royal_Thai_Navy_Airfield

Thanks for the info. If the Thai Prime Minister was to read the wickapedia story that you gave me then they should grant the U.S. permission to use their OWN airfield immediately. Imagine the economic boost that they are missing out on from local labour food supplies needed fuel sales etc etc.

20 hours ago, newnative said:

If the US ever does ask, give them a hard no.

No. Tell them to FO. Nothing against the US (and the Iranian regime needs dismantling) but that clown and his crazy sidekick in the Middle East have <deleted> up here. It will not end well.

11 hours ago, radiochaser said:

What secret torture base?

How quickly we forget...

BBC: It has been widely documented by human rights organizations and confirmed by former officials that the CIA operated a secret prison, or "black site," in Thailand in the early 2000s. 

• Location: The site, code-named "Detention Site Green," was located inside the Royal Thai Air Force base in Udon Thani, a remote area in northeastern Thailand. The Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base has also been identified as a possible location.

• Timeframe: The facility was the first CIA black site established after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and operated from March 2002 until it was closed in December 2002 due to fears of media exposure and tensions with the Thai government.

• Detainees & Interrogation: At least two high-profile detainees, Abu Zubaydah and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, were held and subjected to the CIA's "enhanced interrogation techniques" (widely described as torture) at this site. Methods included waterboarding (Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times), confinement in small boxes, sleep deprivation, and "walling".

• Accountability: Thai and U.S. officials initially denied the existence of the site. No U.S. government officials have been held accountable for the creation or implementation of the CIA's torture program, and Thailand has never commissioned an official investigation into the matter. 

Well done Thailand!

You can now join the likes of Spain, France, UK, Germany, Greenland, Denmark and even Italy who are, by varying degrees, standing up to the world bully.

Watch out people of Iran!

Trump and his boss Netanyahu will bomb you back to the Stone Age then run away.

Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Gaza.

Have the US and their far right useful idiot cheerleaders learned nothing from past mistakes?

Diego Garcia before thailand against iran

I say no also. I was stationed at UTAPAO and UDORN in the 60-70s and I also lived in Tehran. My heart goes out to the innocent and our Military Hero’s.

23 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

How quickly we forget...

BBC: It has been widely documented by human rights organizations and confirmed by former officials that the CIA operated a secret prison, or "black site," in Thailand in the early 2000s. 

• Location: The site, code-named "Detention Site Green," was located inside the Royal Thai Air Force base in Udon Thani, a remote area in northeastern Thailand. The Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base has also been identified as a possible location.

• Timeframe: The facility was the first CIA black site established after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and operated from March 2002 until it was closed in December 2002 due to fears of media exposure and tensions with the Thai government.

• Detainees & Interrogation: At least two high-profile detainees, Abu Zubaydah and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, were held and subjected to the CIA's "enhanced interrogation techniques" (widely described as torture) at this site. Methods included waterboarding (Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times), confinement in small boxes, sleep deprivation, and "walling".

• Accountability: Thai and U.S. officials initially denied the existence of the site. No U.S. government officials have been held accountable for the creation or implementation of the CIA's torture program, and Thailand has never commissioned an official investigation into the matter. 

Can't forget what I never knew. i.e. , torture site at RTAF Base Udon. Or Don Muang.

I know the CIA worked out of RTAFB Udon during the Vietnam war, the 7th RRFS Co. B. shared a building with them. I worked there for a few weeks.