Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree

The Nation learned from some Betong residents that their bookings from Betong airport were cancelled on Tuesday by Nok Air. No reason was given.

Prayut and his Cabinet flew from Don Mueang to Betong on the first commercial flight operated by Nok Air to preside over the opening of Thailand's newest commercial airport in Yala's Yarom subdistrict.

A Betong resident said she booked a seat from Betong to Bangkok on Flight DD5183 that was scheduled to depart Betong at 12.30pm this Friday and reach Don Mueang International Airport at 2.30pm.

But the airport called her at 11.55am on Tuesday to inform her that she would have to shift to Hat Yai International Airport. She was told she could choose a refund but would have to wait 45 days.

Another passenger said his flight from Betong to Don Mueang on Wednesday was also cancelled.

A local Line group discussed Nok Air's flight cancellations and called on the airline to provide an explanation.

Sources said the airline apparently cancelled the two flights because the number of passengers, who booked the flights in advance, was less than 30.

Nok Air's Facebook page highlighted its first commercial flight into Betong Airport on Monday without mentioning any flight cancellations.

The Department of Airports said Nok Air affirmed it was ready to operate on the Betong-Don Mueang route but the flights on Wednesday and Friday were cancelled because of "marketing mistakes".

The department quoted Nok Air as saying it would "review route operations with agencies concerned".

On Friday, Nok Air would fly an "influencer flight" by inviting YouTube channel casters, social media influencers and tourism operators to fly on a flight to Betong, the department said.

It went on to say that Nok Air would also hold a press conference later on Wednesday to explain the situation. The airline would fully refund all passengers who booked Wednesday and Friday flights and give them a compensation of Bt1,200 each.

The department said it would monitor the case closely until all passengers were compensated and the airline explained what had actually happened.

Thailand joined 141 countries in supporting the resolution to condemn Russia during an emergency meeting of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York on March 2.

Heath condemned the conflict as "Putin's war of aggression".

"Ukraine posed no threat to Russia, and Putin alone bears responsibility for the senseless violence and invasion of sovereignty," he said, adding that the US will continue to seek a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the war.

Heath also dismissed rumours that the US was building a bunker under its new consulate in Chiang Mai to store missiles and spy equipment targeted at China.

"America has had a consulate in Chiang Mai for 72 years and we are proud to be the oldest foreign consulate in northern Thailand. For 72 years, the consulate has been on the site of a beautiful old house that was never designed to be an office so we are excited about finally moving into a new modern office building," he said, explaining why the consulate was moved.

"Like all US diplomatic facilities worldwide, the new consulate office building must meet high physical security requirements and is designed to meet modern environmental standards. This new building will also better enable us to provide services to the people of the region and the tens of thousands of American nationals who call northern Thailand home."

He said the US government needed a consulate in Chiang Mai because about 17,000 Americans live in the northern city.

He said the old consulate may be turned into a learning centre or library.