RELENTLESS RAIN: Thai floods worsen  © Thor Jorgen Udvang

Bangkok is bracing itself for more flooding as Thailand battles the worst floods to hit the kingdom in decades.

Over 8 million people in 60 of Thailand's 77 provinces have been affected by monsoon rain, tropical storms, floods and mudslides in recent weeks, and 30 provinces are inundated. At least 270 people have died since July. Nationwide, nearly 1.4 million hectares of farmland are underwater and hundreds of factories are closed.

On Tuesday, concerns grew over low-lying areas of central Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River. The Thai government appealed for sandbags as workers raced to build flood walls on the outskirts of Bangkok. Water is overflowing from reservoirs to the north of Bangkok; high tides are due on Oct. 13 and the Thai Meteorological Department forecasts more thunderstorms and rain.

Also on Tuesday, a spokesman for Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) said the 23.5-kilometre earth dyke surrounding the airport has been checked and reinforced.

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On Oct. 11, Korean Air launched its Airbus A380 service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seoul (ICN). Korean Air is the only airline offering A380 flights to Asia from both Los Angeles and New York (JFK). Korean Air's A380 has 407 seats. There are 12 Kosmo first-class suites and 301 economy-class seats on the first level. The upstairs features 94 lie-flat sleepers spaced 6 feet apart.

Starting Nov. 18. Air China will fly four times a week between Beijing (PEK) and Phuket (HKT), to meet the growing demand for outbound travel from China. Next year Air China will launch twice-weekly flights between Being and Okinawa (OKA), starting Jan. 11, 2012. The Okinawa service will bring the number of Japanese cities served by Air China up to eight and the number of round-trip direct flights a week between the two countries up to 260.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts has opened its third hotel in New Delhi. The 168-room Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar is a 20-minute drive from the New Okhla Industrial Development Area, an software and information technology services hub. The Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar is the fifth hotel Hilton has opened in India this year and its seventh Indian property.

On Oct. 5, Qatar Airways launched flights between Doha (DOH) and Oslo (OSL). The Doha-based carrier will fly four times a week to the Norwegian capital. The service complements the airline's existing Scandinavian services and is Qatar Airways' seventh new European destination in 2011.

India's Kingfisher Airlines launched three new international routes from key south Indian cities to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo. The new routes connect Tiruchirapalli (TRZ), Kochi (COK) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) with Colombo. Currently, Kingfisher Airlines flies to 59 cities in India and eight international destinations, and has over 325 daily departures with a fleet of 66 aircraft.

To celebrate its 88th anniversary, Finnair is offering special promotional business- and economy-class fares from Singapore (SIN) to more than 50 European destinations. Economy-class fares start from SGD 1,288 (inclusive). Seats in business class start from SGD 4,888 (inclusive). The promotional fares allow one free stop in Helsinki (HEL) and are available until Oct. 31 for travel through Dec. 16.

Paresa Resort, Phuket's Ultimate Rejuvenation Package includes two nights' accommodation with breakfast. The package offers a choice of spa treatments for those seeking relaxation, as well as a range of activities designed to invigorate and recharge such as Thai kick-boxing lessons, yoga sessions or 60-minute workouts with a personal trainer. The getaway packages start from USD 2,114 and are available from Nov. 1 through Dec. 20 and between Jan. 11. and March 31, 2012.

To celebrate the Oct. 30 launch of its new route between Hong Kong (HKG) and Nagoya (NGO), All Nippon Airways is offering a return economy-class fare from HKD 1,800 plus taxes. Reservations must be made through the ANA Hong Kong website and tickets must be issued on or before Nov. 30 for travel through Dec. 15.

Available from Dec.1 through March 31, 2012, Hokkaido's Green Leaf Niseko Village has a Winter Magic Discoverypackage that is ideal for first-time skiers. Prices start at JPY 21,550 per person, per night (twin-sharing) for a minimum two-night stay in a deluxe room. The 200-room resort features ski-in, ski-out facilities providing easy access to some of the finest alpine terrain in the world on Niseko-Annupuri Mountain.

The Leading Hotels of the World has a new selection of Leading Spa Escapes packages. Book a Leading Spa Escapes package and enjoy 30 percent savings on accommodation as well as a complimentary 60-minute spa service when you stay at one of the 48 Leading Spa. In Asia LHW spa hotels including the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in the Maldives and the Fuchun Resort Hangzhou, China. For the full range of offers, visit LHW Spa Escapes.