Rocky Donald, 52, was rescued late Saturday after his yacht, Moonstar, encountered engine trouble. Donald had survived on instant noodles and rainwater after his supplies ran out a few days after the engine problem developed.

The solo sailor had left Cocos Island on October 17 for Phuket, which he visits every year, but his engine broke down while passing Sumatra in Indonesia.

Donald said he later encountered a ship carrying a Russian flag but received no reply to his SOS signal. Three nautical miles from Patong Beach he saw a fishing trawler and signalled it. The ship responded and contacted the marine police.

CHIANG MAI :Visitors throng Bhutan garden

"Jigme fever" continued at the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 in Chiang Mai yesterday, with long queues of people waiting to see the garden inaugurated by the Bhutanese crown prince on Friday.

The overwhelming numbers forced show officials to restrict visitors to groups of about 30 at a time and allow only 15 to 30 minutes in the garden. This was not only to ensure that everyone got a visit but also to protect the garden, which is a gift from Bhutan to His Majesty the King.

Close to a million people have visited the floral show since it began on November 1.