This is an urgent appeal by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, to try to help Tony Allison, the editor of Asia Times (online), who is in a very bad way and needs surgery promptly. Tony is in Mahachai Hospital and close colleagues are anxious to get type O-negative blood, which is rare in Thailand. It's not an emergency yet, but could be, especially if there are complications. O-negative is much more common in farang than Thais, so we are seeking any volunteers among club members or associates who may be able to help.

Tony had heart surgery a couple of months ago, which seemed OK at first, but in the past couple of weeks he started deteriorating rapidly. It turns out the original surgery got infected and then started 'leaking', which means his system is poisoned, and he has no energy at all and is very short of breath.

If anyone can help, please contact David Simmons via or his phone 084 535 0416.