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From Bangkok Post Thousands pack Ratchaprasong to call for Prayut's ouster Thousands of anti-government protesters filled Ratchaprasong intersection on Sunday, calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down. Bangkok's top shopping area was transformed once again into a rally site by student-led protesters seeking to end the military’s longstanding domination of Thai politics. Jatupat Boonpattararaksa of the Dao Din group said the Ratchaprasong rally was to send a clear signal that Gen Prayut’s time as leader of Thailand was over. The rally came after the prime minister refused to heed the protesters’ Saturday deadline to relinquish the premiership before Parliament holds a special session on Monday and Tuesday to find a way out of the political conflict. Mr Jatupat said he had little hope that the crisis could be resolved in Parliament, and protesters would continue their peaceful demonstrations.

Protesters mass at the Ratchaprasong intersection From The Thaiger Crowds are gathering at the Ratchprsong intersection in Bangkok, one of the promised locations for a rally in response to last night’s refusal of the Thai PM to resign. Thousands have already gathered and, if the weather holds out, the numbers will continue to swell as the evening approaches. Ratchprasong intersection is one of the busiest intersections in the city, right in the middle of the central Bangkok shopping district. People have crowded the roads at the intersection, with hundreds of onlookers watching from the skywalk that is strung under the BTS tracks. The crowd is building along Ratchdamri Road, in front of Central World. Banners are being prepared on site with demands for the Thai prime minister’s resignation and other calls for action. Some of the banners are being taken from protest to protest, becoming a canvas for thousands of protesters to share their signatures and messages to the Government. Messages on one of the banners read “We are the people”, “Everyone is a leader”, “Thailand is for the people”, “Police should protect the people”. Musical performances are planned for this evening as the peaceful rally slowly grows in number. People’s Party and Free Youth merchandise is also being sold, along with the usual assortment of food stalls along the sides of Ratchadamri Road. here are very few police patrolling the intersection as of 4.45pm, outnumbered at this stage by opportunist motorcycle taxi riders waiting for the conclusion of the rally. First aid, food, safety gear and merchandise are all on hand, much of the assistance from University volunteers. There has also been a smattering of foreign protesters joining the Thais, also flashing signs of support, in English. Tomorrow protesters have promised to march from the Sam Ron intersection to the German Embassy, a symbolic march to draw attention to the chosen overseas domicile of a “very important person”. ============================================== This demonstration is being carried live on Khaosod English Facebook page at this moment.

From The Thaiger TAT announces update to compulsory Covid-19 insurance for foreign visitors The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced today an update about compulsory Covid-19 insurance. They say it’s now “conveniently” available online in a one-stop-shop. Up to now the compulsory Covid-19 insurance, a pre-requisite before foreigners can come to Thailand, under any visa, was through selected insurance providers at their own websites. The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission has allowed the review of its policy, making it easier to find and purchase the compulsory insurance. “Foreign travellers will enjoy the following advantages of purchasing an OIC-endorsed medical insurance policy, which is available online HERE.” The update provides additional clarity and ease for people looking to travel to Thailand at this time. The Thai General Association and the Thai Life Assurance Association, plus 16 leading and non-life insurance companies in Thailand are partnering together with the oversight according to regulations from the OIC to offer the Covid-19 insurance protection program to foreign visitors. The insurance policy has been approved by the Thai government and can be used in the Thai visa application process. Coverage begins immediately upon arrival in Thailand. No need for advance payment or out-of-pocket expenses when admitted at private hospitals nationwide. Insurance coverage does not exceed US$100,000 or about 3.16 million Baht. In the case of death from Covid-19 infection, the insurance company will provide a life insurance benefit of USD $100,000 or about 3.16 million Baht to the beneficiary. Here’s an example of some of the costs for packages that vary from 30 days to 1 year. The premiums range from 1,600-4,800 Baht for 30 days of coverage; from 2,880-8,640 Baht for 60 days; from 3,840 – 12,160 Baht for 90 days; from 7,680 – 23,040 Baht for 120 days, and from 14,400 – 43,200 Baht for one year. The Thaiger recommends that, before you make any other travel arrangements about a trip to Thailand, including the booking of flights or ASQ hotels, you should make general enquiries at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in your country. ============================================== The following information appears on the website: Terms & conditions The above rates are included VAT 7% and Stamp Duty 0.4%. All benefits are available to the Insured age 1 - 99 years old (Current year - the year the Insured was born) on the date that applied the application. This policy does not have waiting period. This policy is not cover any benefits for pre-existing conditions (Cover for COVID-19 only). This plan covers Loss of life caused by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and Medical Expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic incurred in Thailand Only. This insurance policy does not cover loss or damage due to illness caused by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (complications thereof) that existed prior the period of cover. All terms and conditions subject to COVID -19 Insurance Policy for Inbound Travellers of the company. Additional Limitation: - Limitation for medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic only. - Room and board for inpatient must not exceed single standard room cost. - This limitation does not apply to hospitalization in an I.C.U. according to the medical necessity. Important Exclusions: This insurance does not cover: Treatment which is not considered a modern medicine, including alternative medicine; Treatment or investigation not related to medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

From Bangkok Post First batch of tourists Covid-free The result of the first Covid-19 test on arrival for 39 Chinese tourists who travelled using the special tourist visa reported no positive cases. Another two groups from China are scheduled to arrive on Oct 26 and Oct 28, while Scandinavian travellers queue up for November, said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister. He said the ministry has not received additional inbound requests from other countries. The ministry plans to consider the consequences from the first stage of reopening. If a new flow of tourists arrive without any positive cases, the government is ready to implement a more relaxed quarantine, but this requires approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration first, said Mr Phiphat. "Europe now faces a second wave," he said. "The Tourism and Sports and Foreign ministries will allow tourists from low-risk cities with zero new cases for more than 30 days."

From Bangkok Post and Thai Enquirer State of emergency ends in Bangkok but the state of emergency to deal with Covid-19 still remains Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has revoked his state of severe emergency declaration in Bangkok, and related orders, effective from noon on Thursday, saying the violence that prompted it is over. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette. It said the state of emergency declarations were issued on Oct 15 and 16 to stop offences against the royal institution and unrest. The declarations had been set to be valid until Nov 13. On Thursday Gen Prayut said that the violent situation had ended and government officials were able to enforce relevant laws to solve problems. The lifting Declaration of a Serious Emergency Situation in Bangkok was effective at noon on Thursday according to the royal gazette. However, the state of emergency, which limited the arrival of international tourists and introduced coronavirus restrictions, is still in effect until the end of October.

https://www.facebook.com/Jupiter2018/videos/393276291708650/

From Bangkok Post Protesters give Prayut deadline to resign, release activists Anti-government protesters have given the prime minister three days to release detained activists and step down, or face a new round of demonstrations. At the climax of a massive demonstration on a day that saw competing rallies, representatives of the pro-democracy movement submitted a mock resignation letter to the prime minister through Pratheep Keerathirekha, a deputy secretary-general of the prime minister, with Pol Lt Gen Pakkapong Pongpetra, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, as one of the witnesses. They then announced the end of the rally.

NOTE -- Protesters peacefully ended a demonstration near Government House about 9:30p.m. Wednesday evening (BKK time). From Bangkok Post Prayut will lift Bangkok emergency 'if rallies stay peaceful' Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said his government is prepared to withdraw emergency rules banning large gatherings in the capital if the mounting protests demanding his ouster and monarchy reforms remain peaceful. Gen Prayut’s pledge during a television address to review the state of emergency issued last week came as thousands of protesters marched to the prime minister’s office known as the Government House in Bangkok on Wednesday. Simultaneous rallies by pro-royalist groups in support of His Majesty the King also raised fears of clashes between the rival groups. Gen Prayut urged the protesters to use a special session of the parliament next week to air their grievances through lawmakers and said the government and the activists should “each take a step back” and “find solutions to the problems.” Gen Prayut said his promise to end the emergency decree -- "if there are no violent incidents" -- was a gesture to end the street protests and take the issues to Parliament. He appealed for talks before the conflict became too severe.

UPDATE 21 OCT. From Vietnet Global Flood death toll in central region rises to 106 The death toll during the recent severe flooding caused by torrential rains in the central region reached 106 as of 5 pm on October 20, while 27 others were missing, reported the Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. According to the committee, over 7,200 ha of food crops were submerged and damaged. More than 691,000 cattle and poultry were dead or swept away in floodwaters. At the same time, 16 national highways and 161,880 m of local roads in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces were damaged. The steering committee has alerted coastal localities and relevant ministries and agencies about Storm Saudel, which is moving towards the East Sea, especially when the central region is still struggling with large-scale flooding. Storm Saudel poses a big threat to Vietnam’s central provinces which are already struggling with the historic floods triggered by 30-year record rainfall of up to 3,000 mm.

From South China Morning Post Nearly all Cathay Dragon staff will be made redundant under the job cuts announced by its parent company Cathay Pacific Airways on Wednesday, as chairman Patrick Healy apologised for the “great distress and anxiety” the move had caused. Around 2,000 cabin crew, and about 550 pilots working under the Dragon brand were expected to lose their jobs, the airline said, adding that across the group in Hong Kong 4,000 cabin crew, 600 pilots, and 700 ground staff and head office positions would be cut. Just 10 Dragon pilots had been kept on to train future Cathay Pacific pilots on new single-aisle jets, a source said. Earlier, Cathay announced it would eliminate 8,500 job posts globally in a HK$2.2 billion (US$284 million) restructuring, and close Cathay Dragon with immediate effect. The move would lead to 5,900 staff being made redundant, with 5,300 of those based in Hong Kong. Cathay Dragon operated 48 aircraft to 51 destinations and was the crown jewel in the airline group’s network flying to 23 mainland Chinese destinations. Dragon operated most of Cathay’s roughly 370 weekly flights to the mainland. ============================================================ From South China Morning Post Singapore Airlines to resume direct flights to New York Singapore Airlines (SIA) will resume non-stop flights to New York next month, this time flying to John F Kennedy Airport rather than nearby Newark Liberty International Airport, the company said on Tuesday. The thrice-weekly non-stop flights from Changi Airport will start from November 9 using the Airbus A350-900. Flights back to Changi Airport will start two days later on November 11, SIA said. At a scheduled 18 hours, 40 minutes, this will be the world’s longest non-stop flight. The national carrier suspended its non-stop service to Newark in March as Covid-19 battered travel demand. Newark is about 15km from New York City, but is in the state of New Jersey. SIA said that the flights would allow the airline to better accommodate a mix of passenger and cargo traffic “in the current operating climate”. It added that the non-stop services would also be supported by the growing number of passengers who are now able to transit at Changi Airport. The resumption of flights to New York sees SIA operating two non-stop services to the US – the other being Los Angeles. The airline will continue to review its operations to the United States and assess the growing demand for air travel amid the ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic “before deciding to reinstate services to other points in the country”.

From Khaosod English Court Overturns Order to Shut Down 4 Online Media Sites BANGKOK — The Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon repealed a government order to close down a TV channel who’s been broadcasting live coverage of the student-led protests. Media reports said the court’s decision overturned a previous ruling, which approved the digital ministry’s order to shut down “all platforms” of Voice TV. The decision came after Voice TV representatives argued to the court that the shutdown order breached the constitutional protection of media freedom. The argument was accepted by the court, who noted that the order did not cite any clear wrongdoing. The court also rejected the government’s request to block three other online news sites – The Standard, The Reporters, and Prachatai – as well as today’s order issued by the digital ministry to shut down a Facebook page operated by anti-government activists. ========================================== From Khaosod English Schoolgirls Emerge as Leaders of Leaderless Protests BANGKOK — Young protesters, many of them women and high school students, briefly took over parts of Bangkok on Monday and over the weekend to demand the government’s resignation, despite police threats to prosecute them. As much as 70 percent of the demonstrators who occupied Kaset Intersection in northern Bangkok on Monday were women, Khaosod English correspondents at the scene observed. With the declaration “everyone is a leader,” they are forging a new movement amid the police crackdown that put nearly every prominent activist behind bars. “The government’s violence makes people wake up,” A 17-year-old girl from Horwang School said. “The people fighting here are fighting for all of us. The government’s use of violence makes them even worse in our eyes.”

"Ram" Nakhun Screaigh (Nickname: Perth ) is a half-Thai and half-Australian actor. He is fluent in English, Thai, and Japanese. Perth made his acting debut in the series "My Engineer". https://mydramalist.com/people/38413-perth-stewart

From Bangkok Post Cabinet agrees special parliament amid protests The Cabinet has backed a proposal from lawmakers to convene a special session of the parliament to discuss anti-government protests that have swept the nation’s capital and other major cities in the past week. The house will meet for two days from Oct 26, Anucha Nakasai, minister for Prime Minister’s Office, told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Bangkok Tuesday. The proposal needs to be endorsed by His Majesty the King. The move for parliamentary debate follows six straight days of rallies attended by tens of thousands of protesters calling for Prayuth’s resignation, a rewriting of the constitution and reform of the monarchy. While the prime minister on Tuesday didn’t say how far the government could go in meeting the demands, the parliament may move forward the process of constitutional amendment to placate the protesters. “Given the escalating protest movement, the parliament won’t be able to delay the process for charter amendment any longer,” said Virot Ali, lecturer at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Science. “The move might be a tactic to buy time without really considering what the protesters demand, which will escalate the movement even further.” The protests have weighed on the country’s stocks and currency as concerns mount a prolonged standoff may erode company earnings and delay an economic recovery. The benchmark stock index, the worst performer in Asia this year, snapped a four-day losing streak on Tuesday, while the baht fell 0.3% to 31.259 to a dollar, extending losses this year to 4.2%. =========================================== From The Nation Over 1,000 academics sign petition calling on Prayut to resign As many as 1,118 academics have signed the Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights’ petition demanding that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha step down. A group of academics and students led by Thammasat anthropology lecturer Anusorn Unno and Rangsit University’s political science lecturer Thamrongsak Petchlertanan marched to Government House on Tuesday to deliver the letter. The letter decries the October 16 crackdown on protesters and the government’s moves to silence critics. Anusorn said the water cannons directed at the protesters caused injuries and only resulted in further angering the public. Hence, he said, the network wants the government to stop using violence against unarmed protesters, cancel laws that silence critics or violate people’s right to freedom of speech and accept the protest movement’s demands. ================================================= Khaosod English's Facebook page carries an interview with protest spokespersons gathered at Siam Paragon early Tuesday evening.

From The Thai Enquirer Thailand to open skies to ten foreign airlines The Ministry of Transport said on Tuesday that it would allow ten foreign airlines to gradually launch regular flights to Thailand as the pandemic situation has improved but all passengers must follow the guidelines made by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). The flights are considered semi-commercial and all incoming passengers must go through the mandatory quarantine measures (ASQ) for at least 14 days. The airlines are as follows: 1. Emirates Airlines EK 384 (daily). 2. Qatar Airways QR 830 and QR 836 (daily). 3. Etihad Airways EY406 (daily). 4. Cathay Pacific Airways CX 653 (four flights per week starting from October 7). 5. Singapore Airlines SQ 976 (three flights per week starting from October 16). 6. Lufthansa Airlines LH772 (three flights per week starting from October 16). 7. Swiss International Airlines LX 180 (three flights per week starting from October 17). 8. Austrian Airlines flight OS 025 (three flights per week starting from October 17). 9. EVA Air BR 211 (two flights per week starting from October 25). 10. KLM Airlines (starting from October 25). For domestic airlines, there is currently no updates on opening routes to neighbouring countries. The first foreign tourist group On Tuesday, a group of 41 Chinese tourists from Shanghai will arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport at 5 p.m. under the Special Tourist Visa (STV), Yuthasak Supasorn, the Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said. There will also be another 100 STV tourists from Guangzhou to arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport on October 26. “Upon arriving, all foreigners have to spend 14 days in Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) before traveling in the country with the use of the tracker application,” he added.

Many of us who spend most of our visits in Bangkok probably know more than a few Vietnam guys from the province of Ha Tinh. Here's an update about the unusually heavy monsoon rains hitting the region. From the Vietnam News HÀ TĨNH — Local authorities of central Hà Tĩnh Province plan to evacuate more than 45,000 residents living downstream of Kẻ Gỗ Reservoir as the water level is rising. Reservoir levels have been almost a metre higher than normal due to prolonged torrential rain. While facing water flow from the upstream, Kẻ Gỗ Reservoir has released water at 900 cu.m per second on Monday morning. According to the provincial Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, other large reservoirs and dams like Bộc Nguyên, Khe Xai, Tàu Voi, Thượng Sông Trí also discharged water at higher than normal levels. A number of communes in Cẩm Xuyên, Hương Khê, Thạch Hà districts and Hà Tĩnh City have been isolated due to floods. Households have been forced to move their belongings to elevated positions. As of 4am on Monday, more than 20,700 people from more than 7,100 households in Hà Tĩnh have been evacuated. Streets in Hà Tĩnh City are also flooded with water reaching up to 1m. All daily activities have been disrupted. Torrential rain is predicted to continue in Hà Tĩnh Province so more people are expected to be relocated. — VNS

Boeing believes that the changes can make existing MAX equipment safe to fly. Euro authorities appear to agree and it's not unlikely that the FAA (US) will follow suit before the end of the year. From National Public Radio (30 Sept.) The head of the Federal Aviation Administration conducted his own test flight of a Boeing 737 Max Wednesday, and he's giving it a positive review, as the regulatory agency gets closer to allowing the troubled jet to return to commercial passenger service more than 18 months after it was grounded. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines pilot, sat at the controls of a 737 Max and flew it through a number of different scenarios to test how the plane handled in crisis situations and to evaluate Boeing's revisions to the flight control system. "I completed a number of test profiles today to examine the functionality of the aircraft and I liked what I saw, so it responded well," Dickson told reporters in a news conference after the flight. "I did two landings and also some air work maneuvers over about a two hour period... and I felt prepared. I think most importantly, I felt that the training prepared me to be very comfortable." In the days leading up to his test flight, Dickson says he completed new pilot training procedures and a trial run in a 737 Max simulator. The FAA administrator's test flight was a significant step in the agency's review of design and software changes made by Boeing to the flight control system after the crashes, as the regulatory agency works to re-certify the 737 Max and return the plane — long a mainstay of medium-haul routes — to passenger service. But Dickson says his agency's technical and test flight data reviews are still ongoing and the re-certification process cannot and will not be rushed. "We are not to the point yet where we have completed the process," Dickson said. "We're in the home stretch but that doesn't mean that we're going to take shortcuts to get it done by a certain date." "The FAA and I in particular will not approve the plane for a return to passenger service until I'm satisfied that we've adequately addressed all of the known safety issues that played a role in the tragic loss of 346 lives aboard Lion Air flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302." But some family members of those killed call the test flight "a PR stunt" and "a gimmick." They're calling on the FAA and Boeing to release the technical descriptions and test data they are using to re-certify the plane, so it can be analyzed by outside aviation experts. "Without that secret data, independent experts and the public cannot confirm whether the aircraft is safe," said Michael Stumo, whose 24-year old daughter Samya Rose Stumo, was among those who died in the Ethiopian 737 MAX crash. But Dickson on Wednesday insisted "This is not a publicity stunt." "This is simply the fulfillment of a commitment, a promise I made within my first few weeks at the FAA," he told reporters. In response to the call to share data from the FAA's analysis and review of the 737 Max, Dickson said: "I think we have been transparent to an unprecedented degree... we are providing everything we can within the law," but he added that "much of the data that I believe is being asked for is proprietary in nature." Since taking the helm of the FAA last fall, Dickson has said repeatedly that he was "not going to sign off" on the 737 Max "until I fly it myself and am satisfied I would put my own family on it without a second thought." There are indications the 737 Max could be re-certified by the FAA sometime in late October or November, putting it on track to return to service before the end of the year or in early 2021.

From Bangkok Post Crowds show up at three rally sites Crowds of mostly young people have formed at three locations in Greater Bangkok after Free Youth, a core pro-democracy group, announced the locations for their rallies for Monday. The three sites were the area in front of the Bangkok Remand Prison where their leaders are detained; Kasetsart intersection; and the MRT’s Public Health Ministry station in Nonthaburi, according to a post on Free Youth Facebook at 3.40pm. In Nakhon Pathom, a protest was planned at Silpakorn University Sanam Chan campus at 5pm. n the Northeast, rallies were planned at Rajabhat Buri Ram (3.30pm), Health Park at Maha Sarakham municipality (3.30pm), Songkhla University complex (4pm), Huai Muang public park in Ubon Ratchathani (3pm). n the North, the rally site was the Three Kings Monument in Chiang Mai (4.30pm to 9pm). In the South, demonstrators are instructed to meet at the clock tower in Hat Yai, Songkhla province.

From Bangkok Post Weighing the consequences As pressure rises to reopen tourism with laxer measures, operators are growing hopeful What is the real cost for tourists when planning an outbound trip to Thailand in the Covid-19 era? Apart from sufficient budget for a quarantine facility, which for the most luxurious trip can be as high as 300,000 baht per person, tourists must consent to dedicated extra time for a 14-day quarantine -- a condition that only allows people who don't have time and money constraints to visit the country. While high-net-worth travellers may agree to spring for vacation here, their visits will be just a drop in the ocean when compared with 1.9 trillion baht Thailand recorded last year from foreign tourist receipts. According to data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the upscale market or those earning over US$60,000 a year made up less than 20% in the past five years as officials struggled to generate a healthier portion of high-end travellers. In the past, the TAT avoided mentioning the targeted number and stressed the importance of the revenue goal instead, but volume was always in the limelight. Last year, when foreign tourist arrival numbers nearly hit 40 million, major revenue sources came from short-haul markets in Asia. Since the strict lockdown was eased in the second quarter, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) has repeatedly called for a shorter quarantine period or, ideally, no compulsory quarantine to attract intra-regional travellers who don't want to spend two weeks in confinement for their four- or five-day trip. To be specific, the association pointed to a few potential markets, the likes of China and Taiwan, that are considered low-risk countries.

From Bangkok Post Protests end peacefully at Victory Monument, Asok Thailand erupted in protest on Sunday after organisers announced Victory Monument and Asok intersection in Bangkok as the principal rally sites in their ongoing bid to dislodge the government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and bring freedom and democracy to Thailand. Supporting rallies took place in 18 other locations around the country. The rallies at Victory Monument and Asok intersection drew thousands of peaceful protesters. Organisers announced the end of the rally at Asok at 7.40pm and the protest at the monument ended 30 minutes later. Traffic resumed to normal after the protesters left and authorities allowed BTS skytrain to run between all stations. The rally locations were announced on Facebook by the United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration on Sunday afternoon. Earlier, the Free Youth movement posted a Facebook message calling on protesters to gather at all of Bangkok's BTS and MRT stations at 3pm in order to keep authorities guessing where the actual demonstrations would occur. The same tactic was used on Saturday before rallies in three locations -- Lat Phrao intersection, Tak Sin intersection near the Wongwian Yai BTS station and the Udomsuk-Bang Na area. Smaller rallies were held in other locations in Bangkok and other provinces on Saturday, including Ramkhamhaeng University. The Metropolitan Police Bureau on Saturday estimated that 8,000 protesters assembled at Lat Phrao, 8,000 at Wongwian Yai, 6,000 at Udomsuk-Bang Na and 1,000 at the university, although the rally organisers claimed much larger numbers.

I guess my best counter argument is that the special sensor in question wouldn't have been necessary if there were not flaws in the design. But for aviation enthusiasts like ourselves, and perhaps some other interested readers, looking at the wealth of data in the House Committee on Transportation's Final Report on the Boeing MAX 737 may prove worthwhile. Here a snapshot of the contents: “Our report lays out disturbing revelations about how Boeing—under pressure to compete with Airbus and deliver profits for Wall Street—escaped scrutiny from the FAA, withheld critical information from pilots, and ultimately put planes into service that killed 346 innocent people. What’s particularly infuriating is how Boeing and FAA both gambled with public safety in the critical time period between the two crashes,” Chair DeFazio said. “On behalf of the families of the victims of both crashes, as well as anyone who steps on a plane expecting to arrive at their destination safely, we are making this report public to put a spotlight not only on the broken safety culture at Boeing but also the gaps in the regulatory system at the FAA that allowed this fatally-flawed plane into service." Final Committee Report Materials Final Committee Report on the Design, Development, and Certification of the Boeing 737 MAX Boeing Records Set One Boeing Records Set Two FAA Records Teal (Boeing) Transcribed Interview Leverkuhn (Boeing) Transcribed Interview Bahrami (FAA) Transcribed Interview Press Release on Final Committee Report It can be downloaded at link below. But be forewarned that it contains over 600,000 individual documents collected in the course of the investigations. Fortunately it doesn't need to be downloaded as a whole. Rather select sections can be accessed. https://transportation.house.gov/committee-activity/boeing-737-max-investigation

Like most all post-crash investigations, the ones following the two MAX incidents concluded that it was a cascade of events that led to the disasters. However, the one factor not cited sums it up best: greed.

Got it. Thank you for clarification.

Z909 wrote: I also believe he's only allowed to fly in a plane model that's had 5 years service and is built to spec, without any concessions. =================================================================== The current aircraft serving as Air Force One are versions of the 747-200 series introduced into service in 1990 when George H.W. Bush was in office. They have 30 years of service. Not sure what your "five years of service" is referring to.

Just checked Wikipedia and surprised to learn that 139 747-8's have been delivered, but--as you noted--the great majority are in indeed the 747-8F (freighter) configuration. All 19 of Lufthansa's fleet are the passenger version (747-8i). Other carriers with the "i" are Korean Air (10) and Air China (7). Two have been delivered to the US Air Force and are being fitted out to replace the two 747's now being used for Air Force One. (Btw, Peter, when I said in above post that I agree "with OP's position," I should have said "with PeterRS's position." Sorry about that. Agree, to a point. But even Boeing's engineers tried to dissuade the company from going ahead with the MAX during the design process. They cautioned that the bigger and more powerful engines were too bulky for the old 737 air frame. If the engines were positioned where they were in the earlier versions of the 737, the landing gear would leave it scraping the runway. Designers, however, were being pressed to use the 737 chiefly because it could be sold to customers as requiring no special training for pilots already licensed in that type. Hence the engines were moved more forward of the wing, creating the need for the computer to compensate for the center-of-gravity forces created by the shift.

Khaosod English's Facebook page has just concluded a live broadcast from the Lat Phrao intersection where thousands of protesters gathered. It's being reported that the protest leader is now telling demonstrators to go home to avoid any injuries. Channel News Asia photo. Protesters at Lat Phrao intersection in Bangkok on Oct 17, 2020. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)