Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base (Don Mueang International Airport)

Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base is located 40 kilometres north of central Bangkok. It is the main operating and command base for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and hosts personnel from the Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Police.

The base was established on 8 March 1914 following the transfer of the first RTAF aircraft to the site. The RTAF originated from a 1911 initiative in which three army officers trained as pilots in France and purchased Breguet and Nieuport aircraft. From 1961 to 1966, the base served as a command and logistics hub for the United States Air Force (USAF) under the Pacific Air Forces Thirteenth Air Force. The Military Assistance Command Thailand (MACT) was established at Don Muang in May 1962. During the Vietnam War era, the base hosted various USAF detachments, including F-100 Super Sabres, F-102 Delta Daggers, RF-101C reconnaissance aircraft, and C-130 transports. While most USAF operations moved to U-Tapao by 1970, a small liaison office was maintained at the base until 1975.

Don Muang is an active RTAF installation and headquarters for the 1st Air Division. Current operations involve primarily non-combat aircraft across several functional units. The 601 Transport Squadron operates C-130H and C-130H-30 aircraft. Transport requirements are also supported by the 602 Transport Squadron, which flies Airbus A310, A319, and A340 variants, and the 603 Transport Squadron, equipped with Alenia G222 and BAe 748 aircraft. The 604 Communications Squadron operates T-41D and Cessna 150H aircraft. The base also houses the Dechochai 3 Royal Flight Unit, which flies Boeing 737 variants, and the 904 Aggressor Squadron, which operates Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs. Infrastructure has previously included an aeromedical control center and facilities for the 6th Aerial Port Squadron.