On Wednesday pop star Ricky Martin met Thai officials to discuss the fate of tsunami-affected children that struck the country's southwest coast.

Martin, who has lent his celebrity status to help the United Nations Children's Fund, said he would make a donation to help Thai orphans through his foundation, said a government spokesperson. The Ricky Martin Foundation runs a project to help combat trafficking of humans, especially children.

The singer of such hits as She Bangs and Livin' La Vida Loca met with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, said the deputy government spokesperson. Yuranant Pamornmontree said that Ricky expressed his concern for Thailand. The spokesperson added that, after visiting the tsunami-hit areas, Ricky said he will make a donation in the name of his foundation.

Martin also visited the Thai Red Cross Society later on Wednesday. Following this he had plans to leave for Phuket on Thursday, where he will tour Patong and Kamala beaches, devastated by the tsunami, the foreign ministry said.

On Friday, Martin will also visit Thai orphans at Bang Muang temple in Phang Nga province and Yan Yao temple before heading back to Bangkok.

Rock star Sting was also in Bangkok on Wednesday to perform a concert scheduled before the tsunami hit. Sting planned to donate $20 000 to tsunami victims, while the concert organisers planned to give another $50 000, newspapers here reported.

The Indian Ocean tsunami that hit six provinces in southwest Thailand killed more than 5,300 people. According to the government officials, more than 300 Thai children lost one or both parents in the tsunami.

source: INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK