MANILA - MORE than 2,000 Filipino workers have lost their jobs in Taiwan because of the global financial crisis and the number could triple by the end of the first quarter next year, Philippine diplomats said on Tuesday.

Antonio Basilio, who acts as Manila's envoy in Taipei because the two countries have no official diplomatic ties, said 2,073 workers were dismissed from 49 factories since October.

KUALA LUMPUR - SOUTH-EAST Asia's top budget carrier AirAsia said on Tuesday it would offer 100,000 free tickets to Thailand under a regional marketing campaign to support its tourism industry battered by recent political unrest.

AirAsia said it would collaborate with Tourism Authority of Thailand to bring back tourists and businessmen by 'reinstating the core message that it is now safe to travel back to the Land of Smiles.'

JAKARTA - A LAWMAKER in eastern Indonesia said Tuesday his province may scrap plans to tag HIV/Aids patients with microchips, following strong opposition from government officials, health workers and rights activists.

John Manangsang, one of the biggest supporters of the controversial clause in a new health bill being considered, said the provincial parliament in Papua would wrap up deliberations on the issue by the week's end.