It was on the afternoon of 24 August that some members from the Consular Corps were lucky to have permission for a special group visit to the aircraft hangar that houses some historic aircraft and restoration enthusiasts.
The facility at Wing 41, the Royal Thai Air force base located adjacent to Chiang Mai International airport, has been in operation for some 20 years but with little budget the aircraft that have been acquired are in need of major renovations. The site is operated by Thai volunteers and restoration enthusiasts under the guidance of the Royal Thai Airforce. Upon our entry to the base, armed with our invitation letter, we formed a convoy to be escorted airside at the airport to the hanger museum.
The tour was conducted by the Thai airforce supervisor of the facility where he explained the planes, their history and significance. We saw old aircraft that were used over the years by the RTAF and others of interest like the C47 that was Lord Mountbatten’s command aircraft when he was in SE Asia theatre, Cessna’s that were used for areal surveillance during he Thai communist insurgency period and along the Laos border during Vietnam war, and a modified US aircraft that resembled the Japanese zero planes that were used in the film Tora, Tora about the bombing of pearl harbour.
It was a most interesting afternoon topped off by refreshments in the hanger chatting about the facility and the aircraft memorabilia. The consular corp is interested to support this group in its work to preserve and restore old aircraft.
Remembrance Day 2020 - The Consulate is advised that a remembrance service 2020 will take place on 11 November at the Chiang Mai Foreign Cemetery 1898 (its on google map)
Repatriation Flight from Bangkok to Sydney, Australia - The Australian Embassy is calling for expressions of interest for the next TWO Thai Airways flights from Bangkok to Sydney on 25 October and 1 November 2020.
Australian Direct Aid Program Grants - The Australian Embassy invites applications for projects to be supported under its Direct Aid Program (DAP) for 2020
Australian Embassy Consular Outreach – Chiang Mai - The next Consular Outreach visit to Chiang Mai will be held on Monday, 12 October 2020.
Thailand Australian Alumni Awards 2020 - The 2020 Australian Alumni Awards nominations are now open until Friday 21 August 2020. The award winners will be announced at the Australian Alumni Awards presentation ceremony on 23 September.
Australian Direct Aid Program - The Australian Consulate Chiang Mai had the pleasure to accompany BlueSky Chiang Mai (a community environment group) to make a donation to the Provincial Governor and Head Of Natural Resources & Environment in Chiang Mai of equipment to aid in the suppression of local forest fires
Chiang Mai Covid-19 Resources and Social Media Links - There are some local resources about Covid-19 for both Australia and Thailand, including Chiang Mai specific, through English language web, Facebook & social media sites that may help to find information
Cancellation of ANZAC Days Commemorations - Anzac Day 2020 services will not take place in Chaing Mai this year.
Australian Smartraveller & Covid-19 - The Consulate in Chaing Mai is receiving emails and calls about the current status of Covid-19. The consulate is not in receipt of any specific updates or briefings on this issue. This post shares useful websites to get updated information. If you have questions regarding any impact COVID-19 may have on your travel, please contact… Read More