POP star Michael Jackson launched the Asian leg of his world tour in Bangkok yesterday with a press conference at which he sang not a single note, spoke only nine words and left hundreds of female fans screaming his name.
The 34-year-old Jackson rode on to the stage of a hotel ballroom in a local three-wheeled conveyance known as a ''tuk-tuk'', which was decorated with the logo of the company which is sponsoring his ''Dangerous'' tour.
Young Thai girls in native dress put flower petals in his path as the singer stepped onto the stage, and dozens in the crowd shouted ''Michael, Michael'', trying to get his attention.
Throughout the 45-minute media event, loudspeakers blared one Jackson hit after another, but he did not join in during his five minutes on stage.
Then Tony Illsley, president of Pepsi-Cola Asia Pacific, presented Jackson with a cheque for two million baht (HK$622,000) for the singer's Heal the World Foundation. Part of the money will go to charities in Thailand, Mr Illsley said.
Asked to say a ''few'' words, Jackson said: ''I love you, and thank you very, very much,'' as scores of photographers - most of them standing on chairs - snapped his picture.