Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has conceded his party lost national elections to the opposition led by the sister of ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

The 24-year-old actor Robert Pattinson had to work with a menagerie of animals while shooting his latest movie 'Water for Elephants' but says coming face-to-face with horses left him particularly shaken.

Thailand’s prime minister said he believes a state of emergency will be lifted in many areas of the country soon.

Army reinforcements were rushed into Thailand’s capital as tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators marshalled around a key military headquarters demanding that the government dissolve Parliament by midday today.

BERNARD DUNNE has promised fireworks and an education for the challenger in his first WBA super-bantamweight title defence at the O2 Arena on September 26.

A YOUNG Irish woman has described how she and her friends were lucky to escape serious harm when freak weather conditions caused a Thai plane to crash land, injuring passengers and killing the pilot.

Burma’s military government faced worldwide criticism today for bringing new charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with rights groups urging the junta’s neighbours to intervene urgently.

Thailand today declared a state of emergency in Pattaya, the city hosting a summit of Asian leaders, and cancelled the event for security reasons after more than 1,000 anti-government protesters stormed the venue.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters converged on the venue of an Asian summit today, threatening to disrupt the annual meeting unless Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva resigns.

Thailand's prime minister today declared a state of emergency in the country to allow the protesters blockading Bangkok's airports to be cleared by force.

A crowd of angry protesters has thrown shoes and plastic bottles at Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat’s entourage after cornering him in an underground parking lot.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed today that he will not resign despite growing pressure for him to step down as anti-government protesters occupied his headquarters for a fifth day.

Thailand's prime minister said today he supported allowing Buddhists to arm themselves against Muslim insurgents who are targeting civilians.

Thailand’s king has pardoned a Swiss man who was given a 10-year sentence for spray-painting over images of the revered monarch.

Thailand’s king has endorsed the coup leader as head of governing council, according to a televised announcement.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today said there had been intelligence reports of a plot to assassinate him.

England’s Simon Dyson and Irishman David Higgins are two of four players locked at the top of the overnight leaderboard on six under par after a tight first round at the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open.

Ireland’s David Higgins and Wang Ter-chang, of Taiwan, hold the clubhouse lead after six under par rounds of 66 on the first morning of the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesian Open.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced today he has dissolved parliament, a move that will lead to new national elections within two months.

Protesters demanding the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke into and briefly occupied the compound housing his offices tonight, but left peacefully after appeals by demonstration leaders.

Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has long complained of press criticism. But he sought to turn the tables on Thursday with a new tactic: sounding a buzzer every time reporters ask questions he deems “not constructive”.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, has today denied that a coup d’etat had taken place in the military-ruled country, but hinted at possible changes in the Cabinet.

Miranda Leitsinger, Khao Lak

LEADERS from countries devastated by the St Stephen's Day tsunami and major donor nations are gearing up for a major conference tomorrow to iron out problems in coordinating an unprecedented €1.5 billion global relief operation.

Rescuers were attempting today to save two dolphins trapped in a small lagoon created when tsunami waves swept them ashore in southern Thailand on St Stephen's Day.

Liverpool’s proposed deal to sell a 30% stake to Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ran into more controversy today when a leading group of academics called for the investment to be declared illegal.

A lunchtime board meeting at Anfield today could pave the way for either Steve Morgan or Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra to invest upwards of £70m (€104m) in Liverpool.

Thailand’s prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is prepared to hand Liverpool a £30m (€45m) transfer fund as he seeks to buy into a “world-class brand name”.

Liverpool have refused to comment on a newspaper report claiming that Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is to buy a 30% stake in the club.

Two sisters in Vietnam became the latest victims of Asia’s bird flu crisis today, as ministers from across the region convened an emergency meeting with international health experts in the Thai capital.

The World Health Organisation confirmed another death in Vietnam from the bird flu virus today, bringing Asia’s death toll to as many as seven people.

THE bird flu eruption in Asia, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) says could set off an epidemic worse than SARS, has leapt into humans in Thailand and appeared in Cambodia, officials said yesterday.

James Wattana’s worst nightmare would be to relegate Jimmy White from snooker’s top flight.

President Mary McAleese has met with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra in Bangkok today as part of a four-day trip to south-east Asia to develop trade and diplomatic ties.