RTAF commander-in-chief ACM Kongsak Wanthana told a press conference at its headquarters yesterday morning that the deal was fair as the RTAF would get military materiel and know-how as well as the right to use Singapore’s air-base facilities in return.

The admission came amid concerns that the deal with Singapore would sour the Kingdom’s ties with other neighbours like Malaysia and Laos.

Democrat MP Piraphan Salirat-vipak said during yesterday’s House meeting that the deal might violate the Constitution as it required parliamentary approval.

He also called for disclosure of the deal’s details.

An RTAF source said that in a memorandum of understanding signed last Friday, the air force agreed to allow Singapore to use its Wing 23 Base in Udon Thani three times a year in exchange for seven second-hand F-16 fighter jets worth more than Bt1 billion.

“Normally the Singapore military holds training at the Korat air base two times a year. Three more visits at the Wing 23 Base won’t be a problem,” the source said.

ACM Kongsak yesterday said Singaporean personnel would be allowed to train for three sessions a year, for no more than 60 days a session and involving no more than 20 aircraft each time. He dismissed the prospect of Singapore establishing a permanent air base here.

Kongsak said the deal was in line with a Cabinet resolution in 1983 to allow military personnel from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to use RTAF facilities for training.

The air force chief said that although the MoU would expire in 15 years, a review could be made every five years.

Defence Ministry spokesman Maj-General Palangkoon Klahan said yesterday that the deal with Singapore, which is viewed as a close ally of the US, was not to pave the way for a return of American air bases in Thailand.

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