Anyone have any 1st-hand info about access to the military base here in Chiang Rai? Being an ex-grunt myself, I would find even a quick,  on-site look-around interesting.

I am going to venture a wild guess and say that they would not allow foreign nationals access to a military base unless it was an organized tour pre-arranged and screened.

2 hours ago, tonray said:

I am going to venture a wild guess and say that they would not allow foreign nationals access to a military base unless it was an organized tour pre-arranged and screened.

I've a similar assumption, but you never know...perhaps an open house sometime to boost recruitment?

Besides, the thought of a Kanuk  recce for an eminent invasion by a battalion of Mounties on dogsleds might just lead to uncontrolled laughter ...and an open gate?

My wife and I were allowed in - for an afternoon - but only because our son was stationed there.  I was told that otherwise a visit would not be permitted (with out without Mounties and/or dogsleds...).

I went in there on Children's day a couple of years ago. It is a cavalry regiment, and they were offering pony rides for children. Nobody batted an eyelid as I drove in with Best Beloved and Little Miss JAG.

 

They had an equipment display which I was able to wander around. Again no one seemed to mind. Mostly vintage US kit, although I did have an interesting chat with the Serjeant manning the 81mm mortar display - a British system with which I am familiar - one of his conscripts spoke good English and acted as an interpreter.

 

Star of the display was a Humvee with a M60 machine gun mounted on the roof. Unfortunately the gunner had to stand on a plastic stacking chair attached to the floor with old electric flex, which rater spoilt the image (although as a former British  infantryman I was familiar with the concept of "if a bodge is worth doing it is worth doing well").!

 

Little Miss JAG and cousin enjoyed their pony ride.

 

On the way out we were routed through the vehicle park. Lots of very old broken down US trucks - GMC 21/2 tonners, those  open top personnel carriers you used to see in newsreels of South American Junta Parades, (Dodge M37s?) and a number of old Willys Jeeps.

 

Childrens Day is just after the New Year so they may be open again.