Pai Bridge

The Pai River bridge is often cited as the most visible evidence of the presence of Japan's Army in Northern Thailand during WWII.
But the bridge was actually built after the war. This website attempts to correct both that misconception and others about the period.

Lanna-ww2

Japan in Northwest Thailand during World War II

N19°54
E99°50[1]
Chiang Rai[2] Landing Ground (Th: เชยงราย ลำพูน/ Jp: チェンラーイ 滑走路)
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Major transport hub[2a]

 

Text Notes


Chiang Rai Airport region[3]

Chiang Rai region map

The Chiang Rai landing ground (LG) was summarized in a miniature for easy recognition by Allied pilots:

Chiang Rai miniature

440100 USAF A8055 p0422 Thai miniatures CNR Jan 44

Cat C (which indicates "liable to become unserviceable after rains")
1500 Yds 1750 Yds
Shelters. 0

440100 USAF A8055 p0423 miniatures sheet, Jan 44.jpg

Superimposed in yellow on a modern map, the landing ground appears as follows:

Chiang Rai local map of LG

Note that the north-south section formed the base for the current Chiang Rai Military Airport, while the northeast-southwest section was abandoned sometime after the war. Commercial services are currently provided at an airport northeast of this area.

Revision List
Rev
Date
Description
0
2012 Oct 05
First published on Internet

 

 

 

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