Source: Bangkok
Post
Singapore's use of air base for war games denounced
Air force denies deal linked to gift fighters
SURASAK TUMCHAROEN & WASSANA NANUAM
About 100 members of the network of democracy-loving people gather
in front of the Singapore embassy to protest against the
government's decision to allow Singapore to use the Wing 23 air
base in Udon Thani. - TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
Allowing Singapore use of an air force base in Thailand for the
next 15 years for military exercises had set a worrying precedent,
a prominent Democrat MP said.
Pirapan Saliratawipak said he feared other countries would try to
follow suit.
In a question to Defence Minister Sumpun Boonyanun Mr Pirapan said
allowing the Singaporean air force use of Wing 23 air base in Udon
Thani in exchange for seven second-hand F-16 Falcon fighters was
``unbecoming''.
``What if the US asks to use another air force base in this
country, given Singapore's case and citing article 74 of the
constitution on the use of Thai airspace for military exercises?''
he said.
``Wouldn't squadrons of foreign combat aircraft fire at one another
over Thai airspace during their war games?''
In reply, Gen Sumpun said the Singaporeans would have to abide by
Thai laws and would get no special privileges. Thai authorities
would exercise tight control over use of the air base and Thai
airspace.
The defence minister admitted the Singaporeans may conduct
unilateral, bilateral or multi-lateral military exercises from Wing
23 air base.
The Thai air force held annual exercises with the US, Australia and
neighbouring states, including Singapore, with which Thailand
shared repair and maintenance programmes for common weapon systems,
he said.
The Democrat argued the seven F-16A and F-16B fighters Singapore
had offered in exchange for the use of Wing 23 air base were old
and due to be decommissioned. The government should have bargained
for more modern aircraft, especially the F-16C or F-16D fighters
currently in use by the Singapore air force.
One of the old Singaporean F-16s had been damaged in an exercise
over the South China Sea, Mr Pirapan said.
``Who will fly a fighter with one-third of the wing area seriously
damaged?'' he said ``If you, Mr Defence Minister, were a combat
pilot, would you have the nerve to fly it?''
Gen Sumpun, who claims to have been a pilot himself, said the
damaged parts would be repaired and the aircraft's safety
guaranteed before it ever takes off in Thailand.
Air force chief ACM Kongsak Wantana maintained Singapore had
offered the seven fighters to Thailand because the two countries
had good military relations.
The offer had nothing to do with Singapore's request for the use of
Wing 23 air base in Udon Thani for air force training.
The seven F-16s had only 4,000 flying hours on the clock, were good
for another 4,000 hours and could be in use for the next 15 years,
said ACM Kongsak. The same model plane was already in service with
the Thai air force.
Singapore had also offered 3,200 accessories and parts with the
planes.
ACM Kongsak said the Singapore air force has been allowed to use
air bases in Udon Thani and Khon Kaen provinces since April 30,
1981 under a cabinet resolution.
In Udon Thani, Charoon Thavornchak, an administrator of Rajabhat
University Udon Thani, said the local people should be informed and
public hearings held before Singapore was allowed use of the air
base, which was now being used by both air force and commercial
aircraft.
