BANGKOK - THAILAND is mulling a US$625 million (S$952.4 million) tourism industry rescue package, including a campaign to rebuild the country's image abroad after a crippling airport blockade, an official said on Thursday.

The government has also set aside a budget of US$68 million to help the 350,000 travellers left stranded by the eight-day siege of Bangkok's international and domestic airports by anti-government protesters.

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S government cancelled a parliamentary session due next week to select a new prime minister, a government spokesman said on Thursday, adding to the political crisis gripping the country.

The session was due to take place on Monday and Tuesday following a constitutional court ruling this week that disbanded the ruling party and two coalition partners and ousted Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

JAKARTA (Indonesia) - RESIDENTS in central Indonesia have been told to stay away from the crater of a volcano that has been spewing hot lava and clouds of ash high into the air for days.