THE Thai air force urged Krabi residents to not panic over US combat aircraft landing and taking off at this Andaman coastal province’s airport reassuring that it is unrelated to the Middle East conflict and are in fact troop rotation and medical flights, Naewna newspaper said today (April 8).
AVM Chakrit Thamvichai, the Thai air force spokesperson, said US military aircraft using Krabi airport for numerous daily flights, both daytime and at night, include C-130s, MV-22 Osperys, and H-60 Seahawks.
This led to speculation among Krabi residents that the US military is either surveying Thailand’s Andaman coast or using their province as a rest stop for American troops participating in the Middle East conflict.
AVM Chakrit explained that this is a regular activity but Krabi residents got alarmed because this is the first time these aircraft have landed at their provincial airport. In fact they had previously used U-Tapao Airport and Phuket Airport many times but this is the first time these American combat aircraft had landed at Krabi Airport.
This year, the US requested the use of Krabi Airport for troop rotation and to transport sick personnel on board a ship at sea for treatment, he added.
The spokesperson denied any connection to the Middle East conflict, stating that this is an ongoing activity and that the US had obtained all necessary permissions through the correct procedures, including those from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There was no bypassing of procedures. The reason for choosing Krabi Airport instead of other airports as in the past was due to the high volume of aircraft landings at the other airports.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Krabi Airport. Photos – MNG Online
Insert – AVM Chakrit Thamvichai. Photo – Naewna
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