Good news for anyone tired of battling the Old City traffic or sprinting to catch a flight – the Wing 41 bypass is now open to the public, no special pass required. However, it's only during peak hours, so plan accordingly!
For the uninitiated, Wing 41 Royal Thai Air Force Base sits right in the heart of Chiang Mai, between Nimmanhaemin Road and the airport. In fact, Wing 41 is actually the airport, originally a military base now shared with commercial airlines.
Until now, the shortcut through the base was strictly off-limits to civilians unless you had a special pass or serious military credentials.
But with downtown traffic getting messier by the minute, Wing 41 is finally throwing us a lifeline. The bypass is now open from 6-9am and 3-6pm to anyone who wishes to use it, perfect for commuters and airport-goers looking to dodge the moat’s one-way maze and Huay Kaew’s endless traffic queues.
However, if you’re dreaming of zipping through at any other time, you’ll still need to apply for a pass (applications usually open every October for a small fee and must be made in person at the base’s main administration office).
And yes, if you're passing through during rush hours, there are a few house rules: helmets on at all times if you’re on a motorbike, stick to the 50km/h speed limit, and follow all entrance and exit instructions like your shortcut depends on it.
So for now, shortcuts are secured. And while there’s no word on how long this offer will last, for now all we can say is thank you, Wing 41.