The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has agreed, in principle, to hand over the Kantarat golf course, located between the two runways of Don Mueang airport, to Airports of Thailand Public Company (AoT) for the expansion of the airport.

The RTAF is in the process of working out the details of compensation that it expects to demand from the government for the surrender of about 57.6 hectares occupied by the golf course, with the money to be used for the development of a sports complex on a portion of the golf course for use by the public and air force personnel, said Chirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Defence Ministry for political affairs.

He said that both Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang have made clear that the three armed forces should give up their non-military business activities, such as supplying electricity to households in the case of the Royal Thai Navy, houses in the Sattahip area and military-run golf courses.

As for the Kantarat golf course, or Suan Ngoo (snake garden), Chirayu said that the House committee, of which he is the chairman, has been trying to reclaim it from the RTAF since 2020, to be used for the expansion of facilities at Don Mueang airport.

The golf course was opened in 1956, initially with nine holes. It was expanded to 18 holes in 1962. A further nine holes were added in 1972. Four years later, the Civil Aviation Authority asked for a portion of the golf course to be used as apron for the parking of aircraft and the golf course has had just 18 holes ever since.