More than a bright, sexy voice: Singer Ricky Martin delivers houses to Thailand's tsunami victims, plans Christmas Eve concert in Phuket. Puerto Rican-American singer today visited Thailand for the second time to deliver permanent houses built for tsunami victims in the Andaman coastal province of Phang Nga. And he's hoping to deliver more: music for healing.

Ricky, better known globally as the man behind the hit "Livin' La Vida Loca" than as his role as UNICEF goodwill ambassador, told reporters after arriving at the southern resort island of Phuket that apart from seeing for himself how his foundation could further help tsunami victims, he also would like to help publicise Thailand's tourism industry along the Andaman coastline which remains attractive.

The Ricky Martin Foundation works with disadvantaged children. And when he returns to Phuket in December there will be healing music in the air... and in the sea...

The Latin pop star then flew to Phang Nga, the hardest-hit tsunami area where he delivered 200 permanent houses built by his Ricky Martin Foundation, in collaboration with other non-governmental organisations, to those who suffered from the tidal waves.

The Latino singer also said he planned to come back to Thailand for a third time to celebrate his 34th birthday anniversary on 24 December at Phuket's Patong Beach. "I would like to play a special concert there to lift spirits of those who still suffer from the devastated tsunami," said Martin, adding that discussion on the planned concert is underway with the provincial authorities.

The tidal waves struck Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces on 26 December last year, leaving 5,395 people dead and 2,932 are still missing. Many of the victims were foreign holidaymakers staying at the beach resorts in Phang Nga's Khao Lak district.

Source: TNA | MCOT.org