Thai budget carrier Nok Air cancels flights over pilot strike

BANGKOK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Thai budget airline Nok Air canceled nine domestic flights on Sunday after some pilots went on strike, the airline's chief executive said. About five pilots went on a strike after the airline tightened its aviation standards to comply with the European Aviation Safety Agency, disqualifying some pilots, Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin told local media. On Saturday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) temporarily halted flights by City Airways to Hong Kong over security issues resulting from cabin crews working overtime. The airline resumed flights on Sunday morning, City Airways director general Chula Sukmanop told Reuters. Thailand is under pressure to improve its aviation standards after U.S. authorities downgraded the country's aviation safety rating in December. (Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Khettiya Jittapong; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Larry King)