Every second Saturday during January in Thailand, the Air Force, Army and Navy have open days called “Children’s Days” (Wan Dek) this is a national annual celebration dedicated to children and their future upcoming role they will play in the country.

On Saturday 10th January the “AR” team had the pleasure of visiting three “Wan Deks”, Lop Buri (Saphan Nak) Army Aviation Airfield was our second visit of the morning.

This “Wan Dek” is not a large event compared to some of the Air Force open days. Still, it is a very informal and low key day, with half a dozen, maybe more active Army Helicopters parked on the sports field in the centre of the base, For 2026 they included Bell AH-1F, Bell 206, Enstrom 480B, Sikorsky UH-60M, Mil Mi-17V and Airbus Helicopters EC145T2. You are allowed to get up close to each helicopter and also sit inside them. With such a varied mix of types, it is really nice to get great photos, but be warned you need to get there early, as the statics do not have any barriers around, so people will wander in out of your photo as they visit each type, so it is time to breathe and just be patient. Early afternoon, all the statics will take off, hover for photos and return to the active side of the base. With another “Wan Dek” to visit at Don Mueang Air Base near Bangkok, we did not have the time to wait for the flying shots.

Another bonus to visiting the Lop Buri “Wan Dek” is the Army Aviation museum located further into base and not normally open to the public (without prior permission), so this was a must to visit before we departed. The museum hosts around twenty helicopters and aircraft on static display mostly outside but a few are inside the small museum close by. The museum displays the heritage of Royal Army Aviation flying in Thailand and was formed in 1977. The museum delivers an insight into the “Thai Armed Forces” aviation heritage especially the role of the Army since it began. A great place to visit, great for photography and statics are well spaced out with a great backdrop. The “AR” certainly enjoyed the time spent looking around here in the normal January Thailand sunshine.

The AviationReporting team would like to thank the Royal Thai Army Aviation team for allowing us to write and report on the “Wan Dek" and Army Aviation museum.

Author: Mark Forest

Photography: Lucas & Christopher Walpole