Thai air force probes cause of plane crash

BANGKOK, February 22 (TNA) - The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is investigating causes of the F-16 crash in Thailand’s central province of Lop Buri as the body of the pilot arrived in Bangkok early Sunday for religious and cremation rites. The body of Flight Lieutenant Noppanont Niwasanont arrived at the military airport at about 10.00 a.m. amid grievances by his parents and relatives as well as his close friends. While accepting the body, RTAF commander Air Chief Marshal Tritos Sonjaeng said officials were collecting wreckages of the ill-fated military aircraft and gathering information from eyewitnesses of the accident in order to find out the actual cause. He said although the plane had been used for more than 10 years, maintenance was conducted regularly. Funeral rites will be held for one week, starting Sunday, at Wat Phra Si Maha That in Bang Khen district. The royally-sponsored cremation rites will be held on March 1. (TNA)