Sting performs in Thailand

Sting has become the first international star to perform in Thailand since the tsunami disaster.

The concert, in Bangkok raised $50,000 (€37,800) for victims of the disaster, including a $20,000 (€15,100) donation from Sting himself. The 53-year-old will also perform in Malaysia and India and play at a benefit show in Australia in February.

Pop star Ricky Martin has also visited Thailand, meeting survivors and touring affected beaches in Phuket and Patong. Ricky, who is a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, appealed to fellow celebrities to help victims of the disaster.

He said he would make a donation to help Thai orphans through his charity, the Ricky Martin Foundation, which runs a project to help fight the trafficking of adults and children.

Other stars donating money include singer Celine Dion, who will give all proceeds of a special Mother's Day show in Las Vegas to victims. The chart-topping singer is hoping to raise $1m (€756,500) from the show at Caesar's Palace Hotel on May 8.