WHEN it comes to the runways and taxiways of an airport, one would think that the last thing that anyone would place on such land is a golf course.
However, it has been claimed over the years that an international airport in Bangkok, Thailand actually has a golf course between its two active runways.
Is this true?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Yes, Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport actually has a golf course between its two runways – and it has been operational since the 1950s.
According to the online aviation portal SimpleFlying, the Royal Thai Air Force set up the 18-hole Kantarat Golf Course in 1952.
It adds that all of the golf’s 18 holes are located in the green space between Don Mueang’s two runways, which are 3,500 and 3,700 meters long respectively.
And interestingly as SimpleFlying’s Justin Hayward and Jake Hardiman wrote in their 2023 article on Kantarat, it has no walls or high fences separating the course from the runways and taxiways.
With that said, yes, the course is open to the public despite being owned by the Thai military – but the special location does mean that special security precautions are needed when playing there.
As mentioned in an article by Australian Golf Digest, golfers will have to carry their clubs from the airport’s back gate as vehicles are not permitted on the premises.
It then adds that all golfers will have to pass through an explosive scanner before they can start playing and must play with a caddie and cart, also for security purposes.
And of course, any golf balls lost near the edges of the course are considered out-of-bounds for safety and security reasons.
So yes, if you want to tee off while aircraft take off, book a trip to Bangkok and head to Don Muaeng’s Kantarat Golf Course.
SOURCES
https://simpleflying.com/
