Viewing page 40 of 42

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Memorandum to R. L. Cummings
Page 2
31 August 1966

the forthcoming Asian Games, scheduled for December 9th through the 20th, and would like to have a helicopter service in operation by that time. The Thais would like to establish a downtown Bangkok heliport in the Lumpinee Park area which is a convenient location for all the major hotels and just down the street from the Erawan. (Limousine service from the airport takes a minimum of 45 minutes.)
The Sattahip Bay area, approximately 68 nautical miles south-southeast of Bangkok, is the scene of a substantial U. S. military buildup. General Hunter Harris, U. S. Commander of the Air Force in the Pacific, informed me that this base will be the main logistical (and tactical) support for all of Southeast Asia. A large airport facility has just been completed (12,500 foot runway). A harbor capable of taking the largest U. S. warship, the carrier "Enterprise", is under construction. Construction contracts no outstanding total some $400,000,000. The contractors working in the area are vitally interested in helicopter transportation between the downtown area of Bangkok and Don Muang on the one hand and a central location in the Sattahip Bay area on the other. The Dillingham, Zachary, Kaiser group is interested in contracting now for a daily scheduled service. Mr. Lowell Dillingham, President of the Dillingham Corporation of Hawaii, is partial to underwriting the total the total commercial operation. He is planning a trip to Bangkok during the middle of September and would specifically desire a demonstration flight between the Bangkok area and Sattahip Bay.
The Thais are anxious to get on with discussions for the inauguration of a commercial service. They are willing to provide free hanger and shop space as well as flight crews at a total cost of $3.50 per flight hour. They are presently discussing a leasing arrangement for the two aircraft and will advise us of their thinking at an early date.
As you will know, there is a very keen interest in Southeast Asia not only by Pan American but also by TWA and Continental Airlines. SAS presently has a technical assistance agreement with Thai Airways. I learned that the Thais are not completely satisfied  with this arrangement.
Senior members of the staff of the Commander Chief for the Navy, Air Force, and Army in the Pacific.