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Asia Aviation reports more losses in 2021 as Covid-19 continues to impair air travel By Panithan Onthaworn Asia Aviation (AAV), the operator of low-cost airline Thai AirAsia, reported a net loss of 6.65 billion baht in 2021, 40 per cent bigger than 2020, owing to the crippling impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Full stoy: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251377-asia-aviation-reports-more-losses-in-2021-as-covid-19-continues-to-impair-air-travel/

By Panithan Onthaworn Asia Aviation (AAV), the operator of low-cost airline Thai AirAsia, reported a net loss of 6.65 billion baht in 2021, 40 per cent bigger than 2020, owing to the crippling impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. During 2021, Thailand faced severe domestic outbreaks of Covid-19, notably the outbreak of the Delta variant in the third quarter, which halted air travel in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. AAV, however, managed to see improved performance in the fourth quarter of the year thanks to the Test and Go programme that allowed vaccinated visitors to travel in the country from November. Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37867/asia-aviation-reports-more-losses-in-2021-as-covid-19-continues-to-impair-air-travel/ -- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

UPDATE: Thailand’s daily new COVID-19 cases reach record high on Thursday Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Thailand’s daily new COVID-19 cases reached a new high today (Thursday) with the official number recorded at 23,557, surpassing the record set on August 13th, 2021. Actual infections are, however, believed to be much higher, with a further 22,240 people having tested positive today, using rapid antigen tests, who are awaiting RT-PCR confirmation, bringing possible new infections today to as many as 45,797. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251355-covid-19-thailand-reports-23557-new-coronavirus-cases-38-deaths-16131-recoveries/?do=findComment&comment=17208132

Thailand’s daily new COVID-19 cases reach record high on Thursday Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Thailand’s daily new COVID-19 cases reached a new high today (Thursday) with the official number recorded at 23,557, surpassing the record set on August 13th, 2021. Actual infections are, however, believed to be much higher, with a further 22,240 people having tested positive today, using rapid antigen tests, who are awaiting RT-PCR confirmation, bringing possible new infections today to as many as 45,797. The daily death toll is on the rise as well, from 22 cases on February 17th to 38 cases today. Of the 23,557 infections, 23,329 are locally acquired and 228 are among international arrivals. The Disease Control Department reported that, among the 45,797 cases found during the past 24 hours, 905 of them have developed lung infections and 240 of them require ventilators. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailands-daily-new-covid-19-cases-reach-record-high-on-thursday/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thai PM continues corruption drive - he's determined to tidy up the RTP's bent officers Picture: INN When Thailand's current PM assumed power the best part of eight years ago he promised to end corruption in Thailand in 20 years. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251375-thai-pm-continues-corruption-drive-hes-determined-to-tidy-up-the-rtps-bent-officers/

Picture: INN When Thailand's current PM assumed power the best part of eight years ago he promised to end corruption in Thailand in 20 years. Views on how well he is doing are mixed. Yesterday it was claimed by the RTP spokesman that Prayuth Chan-ocha is till on that anti-corrution mission. Critics of the Thai PM say he has done little to end endemic corruption among officialdom and especially the Royal Thai Police. Salacious stories appear daily in the Thai press with the public weary of corrupt officials. Yesterday Pol Maj-Gen Yingyot Thepjamnong commented after the second meeting of the year of the Police Commission that is chaired by Prayuth. He claimed that the PM is still serious and determined to root out corruption in the force whether it results in disciplinary or criminal investigations, reported INN. As evidence of this 23 officers were expelled from the force in February. A total of 19 were sacked (in Thai 'lai ork') and four dismissed ('plort ork' or let go). This brought the total for the year to 36 - 29 sacked and 7 dismissed. In addition the PM urged the RTP to get tough with call center or boiler room gangs. No discussion at the meeting involved Pol Maj-Gen Paween Pongsirin, said the spokesman, referring to a senior former RTP officer allegedly mixed up in illegal activity. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

TAT welcomes S7 Airlines’ new weekly service between Russia’s Novosibirsk and Thailand’s Krabi Inaugural flight welcomed at Krabi Airport by Thai tourism officials TAT Newsroom Bangkok, 24 February, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Russia’s S7 Airlines has introduced a once weekly direct service between Russia’s Novosibirsk and Thailand’s Krabi, from now through to the end of March 2022, servicing European winter traffic to the Southern Thailand province, which is famed for its beautiful beaches, enchanting islands, and welcoming hospitality. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251374-tat-welcomes-s7-airlines’-new-weekly-service-between-russia’s-novosibirsk-and-thailand’s-krabi/

Inaugural flight welcomed at Krabi Airport by Thai tourism officials TAT Newsroom Bangkok, 24 February, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Russia’s S7 Airlines has introduced a once weekly direct service between Russia’s Novosibirsk and Thailand’s Krabi, from now through to the end of March 2022, servicing European winter traffic to the Southern Thailand province, which is famed for its beautiful beaches, enchanting islands, and welcoming hospitality. S7 Airlines’ inaugural flight from Novosibirsk touched down at Krabi International Airport this morning. On hand for the arrival of Flight 5713 were executives from TAT, Krabi Tourism Business Association, and Krabi International Airport. Operated by an Airbus A321nx, the flight carried 64 passengers from cities across Russia; most of them were families travelling together. Ms. Kanitha Phanworawat, Director of the TAT Moscow Office, said, “S7 Airlines’ new weekly service between Russia and Thailand will be highlighted in our marketing activities. Russian tourists love the beaches; as such, we will place emphasis on a wide array of tourism attractions and activities, especially in Thailand’s beach resort destinations. Krabi in particular is known for its limestone peaks, beautiful beaches and islands, unique temples, and outstanding food complimented by the friendliness of the local people.” Since Thailand began to reopen for international tourists – gradually from 1 July, 2021, more than 57,000 Russian tourists have visited the kingdom. The TAT Moscow Office is currently working together with airlines, including S7 Airlines, as well as Russian travel agencies and tour companies to promote travel to Thailand especially in May, which is a long holiday in Russia, to attract Russian tourists to travel to Thailand during the holiday. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were six airlines operating direct flights from major Russian cities to Krabi, amounting to 63 flights and a total of 50,382 Russian visitor arrivals. From 1 February, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers from any country around the world, including Russia, can travel to Krabi directly under either the TEST & GO entry scheme or Sandbox programme. For more information on Thailand’s various entry schemes, visit: https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/. Photo Credit: Krabi Provincial Public Relations Office Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/tat-welcomes-s7-airlines-new-weekly-service-between-russias-novosibirsk-and-thailands-krabi/ -- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Alleged would be rapist of pregnant school teacher arrested in south Daily News Thai Caption: Bold denial Following a social media and press campaign an alleged would be rapist was arrested in the south of Thailand yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251372-alleged-would-be-rapist-of-pregnant-school-teacher-arrested-in-south/

Daily News Thai Caption: Bold denial Following a social media and press campaign an alleged would be rapist was arrested in the south of Thailand yesterday. He denied doing anything wrong coming up with a string of excuses. "Bow" a teacher in a school in the Pak Nam Lang Suan police jurisdiction, in Chumphon, said that a man arrived in a pick-up and he tried to rape her, reported Daily News. She is five months pregnant. She managed to alert a teacher friend in time on Line and the man fled the school. Yesterday Sitthipong, 30, was arrested at a beachfront sala and taken in for questioning at the Lamae police station before being taken back to Pak Nam Lang Suan. He admitted that it was him caught on a clip fleeing the scene in a pick-up. Picture: Daily News But he said he had only approached the woman for information about an application so he could make a bank transfer. He denied showing her a porn video. He fled after she got the wrong end of the stick and overreacted, he claimed. Pol Col Wisanu Surawadee said it was the man's right to deny it but the prosecution would proceed. Sutthipong had already admitted to taking crystal meth before the event and he has a history of substance abuse. Bow turned up at the police station to identify Sutthipong and expressed her relief at his capture dismissing his not guilty claims about trying to rape her. Colonel Wisanu thanked the public online and in society for their efforts as well as the media in helping to find the alleged would be rapist in a timely manner. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Grisly picture as married couple suffer serious injuries in motorcycle collision after funeral Picture: Siam Rath Police Major Yossawat Srilaphat of the Thanyaburi police and Poh Teck Tung foundation responded after a married couple on a motorcycle suffered grievous injuries going home from a funeral. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251370-grisly-picture-as-married-couple-suffer-serious-injuries-in-motorcycle-collision-after-funeral/

Picture: Siam Rath Police Major Yossawat Srilaphat of the Thanyaburi police and Poh Teck Tung foundation responded after a married couple on a motorcycle suffered grievous injuries going home from a funeral. Siam Rath had a grisly picture with a lot of blood on the tarmac. At the scene on the Rangsit to Nakhon Nayok Road inbound were Prasan, 59, and Pramuan, 57, a husband and wife. They were given first aid then taken to Thanyaburi Hospital. A Yamaha Lexi was toppled over at the scene. Phollaphat, 28, a witness said the couple had just been to a funeral and were on their way home. They hit a motorcycle with sidecar that had run out of gas and was parked by the central divider. In the confusion the driver of that vehicle fled the scene and the police are now looking for that person. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Six Koreans busted running 100 million baht gambling operation out of Bang Plee house Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's PCT or "cyber cops" armed with a search warrant issued Tuesday, yesterday raided a house in the Noble Home estate in Sukhaphiban 6, Bang Plee, Samut Prakan south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251368-six-koreans-busted-running-100-million-baht-gambling-operation-out-of-bang-plee-house/

Picture: Siam Rath Thailand's PCT or "cyber cops" armed with a search warrant issued Tuesday, yesterday raided a house in the Noble Home estate in Sukhaphiban 6, Bang Plee, Samut Prakan south east of the Thai capital Bangkok. Arrested were OH, JO, WI, UM and KIM - all aged between 27 and 30 - who were acting as administrators of a betting site using Facebook and Line. Picture: Siam Rath Computers, phones and bank books were taken into evidence along with 170,090 baht and 325,000 won in cash. They admitted operating the site and providing assistance to customers since 2019. The business had a yearly turnover of 100 million baht reported Siam Rath. They were all arrested and charged with their involvement in the illegal activity. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thailand Road carnage: Honda City unrecognisable as two men die in horror smash in Udon Thani Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath published a picture of a Honda City that collided with a ten wheel truck in Udon Thani last night. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251362-thailand-road-carnage-honda-city-unrecognisable-as-two-men-die-in-horror-smash-in-udon-thani/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai Rath published a picture of a Honda City that collided with a ten wheel truck in Udon Thani last night. It was unrecognisable. It looks like DUI once again played a part. Inside were two 40 year old men, Patiwat the driver and Udorn the front seat passenger. They were crushed to death and had to be cut out before their bodies were taken to Soon Udon Thani medical center. They had collided head on at a bend with a ten wheel truck. The truck driver Chalong, 28, said he had made a cassava delivery to a factory and was on his way home. They collided at speed on the bend. He hit his head on the windshield and was slightly injured but his truck had front damage and a puncture and he had to pull over. Thana, 59, a friend of the City driver said he had seen the deceased drinking after a round of golf. The car apparently belonged to another person, a woman, who had left her bag at a restaurant with his friend going back to retrieve it. Police are checking all involved for alcohol consumption. The accident occurred just after 9 pm on the Udon Thani to Don Kloi Road in Sam Phran near the university. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Rude cop transferred after filmed altercation with lady restaurant owner Picture: Thai Rath A policeman in Ubon Ratchathani in the north east of Thailand has been transferred to inactive duties after he was filmed behaving badly. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251360-rude-cop-transferred-after-filmed-altercation-with-lady-restaurant-owner/

Picture: Thai Rath A policeman in Ubon Ratchathani in the north east of Thailand has been transferred to inactive duties after he was filmed behaving badly. The cop and a colleague - off duty and half dressed as police - had gone into a restaurant in Khong Jiam district and asked if they were still open, reported Thai Rath. The female owner who was sitting down eating with a lady teacher friend said they were. The owner was invited to sit down as though she were a hostess in a bar. She politely said it was not that kind of place. The men ordered whisky and soda and when asked if they wanted food one said 'no', not if there are no girls to sit with them. The banter soon got much worse and the teacher got involved saying she was married to a policeman. The cop was rude to her suggesting that the cop may not be real and even if he was she was probably just his bit on the side, what with her poor looks. Outraged by the encounter the owner went to complain to the acting chief of the Khong Jiam police who promised a resolution by the end of Tuesday. True to his word he turned up with the rude cop to apologize and present a basket of goodies to the lady. She accepted the apology but not the basket. Acting chief Pol Col Surasit Suthiphan said that the case had three aspects. It was a case of an off duty officer but the lady had made a formal complaint and there was the matter of ill-discipline. The cop concerned has been transferred to provincial HQ while it is determined if the lady wants to press charges. She has already told the press she did not. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Thai police forced to apologize after telling accident victim: "Why report it - what's in it for us?" Picture: Thai Rath The acting chief of the Bangsaotong police station in Samut Prakan has ordered one of his men to apologize after a member of the public came in to report a large hole in the road that caused several accidents. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251359-thai-police-forced-to-apologize-after-telling-accident-victim-why-report-it-whats-in-it-for-us/

Picture: Thai Rath The acting chief of the Bangsaotong police station in Samut Prakan has ordered one of his men to apologize after a member of the public came in to report a large hole in the road that caused several accidents. She said police told her it had nothing to do with them. "A", 26, went on Facebook to complain after what happened. She had been driving home to Pathum Thani in her Nissan March when she hit an exposed cover on a drain on a damaged section of road. There was no cone to mark the danger and four motorcyclists had already been injured before her. Her vehicle had 30,000 baht damage to the gas tank and a puncture. She went to the station to report the incident ahead of making a claim with the relevant authority. Picture: Thai Rath But she was told: "Why are you bothering us with this? "It's your problem. ""There's nothing in it for us" It was even suggested in the rude response that there were plenty of decent roads to use. Pol Col Prathan Nanthakopkul, provincial deputy and acting chief of the station, heard about the case and made the officer concerned phone and apologize to the lady for the poor service. It will be further discussed between the police and the lady on Friday. Locals at the scene complained about the state of the road and called for repairs. The offending hole had been repaired. Thai Rath had a picture of ranks of police lined up at the police station though whether it had a bearing on the case they did not say. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Monks behaving badly: Now fake ones get in on the act Picture: Thai Rath Thai media - full of stories in recent weeks about the disreputable actions of some of the country's clergy - had a different story to report yesterday. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251357-monks-behaving-badly-now-fake-ones-get-in-on-the-act/

Thailand to relax rules for international arrivals from March 1 despite COVID surge https://aseannow.com/topic/1251268-thailand-to-relax-rules-for-international-arrivals-from-march-1-despite-covid-surge/

Picture: Thai Rath Thai media - full of stories in recent weeks about the disreputable actions of some of the country's clergy - had a different story to report yesterday. Fake monks. Thai Rath said that department of provincial administration official Itthipong Tansiri in Klaeng, Rayong, got a call from a local kamnan about a bunch of seven monks behaving suspiciously walking along Route 344. They had been spotted begging for money and even eating chicken and sticky rice. A check at wat Krasae Bon soon discovered that they were all fake monks from Nakhon Sawan in the north of Thailand. They were aged between 22 and 47. One of them - claiming to be Phra Weena but really plain old Mr Weena - said they had bought fake monk ID for 5,000 baht from another member of the clergy whose name he didn't know. After they had arrived in Rayong they had been wandering about on foot begging for money. They had got their robes and shaved their own heads. Two knives were also found in their bags. They all were taken away for prosecution by the police. Health insurance plans that meet the long stay visa requirements -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2022-02-24 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

Sierra Leone man caught with 3.8 million baht of cocaine - he swallowed it before arrival, say customs A man from Sierra Leone has been charged with smuggling 3.8 million baht's worth of cocaine into Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1251356-sierra-leone-man-caught-with-38-million-baht-of-cocaine-he-swallowed-it-before-arrival-say-customs/