Points for originality

...must be given to the Thais for the 120 MILLION (can that possibly be true?!) origami birds deployed this weekend.

The gesture...was intended to show solidarity with the region's inhabitants, but has been derided by critics as pointless and liable to cause a litter problem.

Well, yes, there is that. But here's the solution.

The governor of Yala province promised residents who collected 50,000 birds a bicycle, a table fan to those who picked up 10,000, and 2.2lb of sugar for 250.

50 thousand? For a bike? The reward hardly seems worth the effort.

Of course, not everyone believes the bird dropping's sincere.

The operation was meant to sow peace, harmony and goodwill in Thailand's southern provinces, where an insurgency began in January.

But, many Islamic leaders in the South have dismissed the effort as a publicity stunt ahead of national elections due in two months time.

Party poopers.