Police have arrested a 45-year-old Elk River woman for stealing a 7-foot, copper-laden bronze statue of Buddha valued at $10,000. The statue, which was located at an outdoor temple shrine at the Thai Buddhist Center of Minnesota, was later sold off to scrap dealers. Police also suspect another male family member in the theft of the statue Wednesday night. A statewide alert has been issued to police and scrap dealers Thursday with a photo of the stolen Buddha which was specially made in Thailand for the center.

The National Legislative Assembly in Thailand supports an anti-discrimination law and will let people who have undergone sex change to alter their title to "Mister," "Mrs. " or "Miss. " In a report, Thai transgender, either men or women, will be allowed to choose how they would like to be addressed. The NLA supported the anti-discrimination provision and was already in the draft constitution.

"Hello Kitty" - the Japanese animation character has found a new job in the Thai police department. The cute round-faced cat will now punish any officer in Bangkok who is late, parks in the wrong place or commits other minor transgressions. The bad cops breaking the rules will be made to wear the large, bright pink Hello Kitty armband, which has two hearts embroidered on it.

Thailand on Friday holds the tenth annual Miss Tiffany Universe pageant. The beauty contest which brings on stage the most beautiful transvestites from all over the nation, is one of the country's most watched event with millions of viewers. Started as a transsexual cabaret in Pattaya, a resort town about 68 miles southeast of Bangkok, the show has evolved into a full fledged national competition, whose winner like any traditional beauty contest is beset with loads of prizes and contracts with advertising firms.

Thailand's government on Wednesday blocked the popular Web site YouTube because of a short film mocking the country's king. The 44-second clip shows pictures of feet over a picture of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Feet are considered dirty and offensive in Thailand. The Thai national anthem is played as the film's soundtrack.