In Thailand, officials borrowed six elephants from the Wang Chang elephant farm in the 17th-century Thai capital of Ayuddhaya for help in clearing away wrecked buildings and other debris from the ruined resort island of Phuket and Phang Nga province.

The animals — who which were also used in re-created battle scenes for the movie "Alexander" — arrived Sunday and began work immediately on the muddy, hilly terrain.

The Thai government said 4,993 people died in the tsunami, up from 4,985, including 2,230 foreigners. Utah teen Kali Breisch, who was vacationing in Thailand with her family, is among the missing.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited Phuket island on Sunday, hoping to prop up a tourism industry that is critical to the country's economy and pledging to set up a tsunami early warning system.

"Nice to meet you, enjoy your stay," Thaksin told tourists who had returned to battered Patong beach. "We'll try and make your stay happy."

---

Contributing: Denis D. Gray, Miranda Leitsinger, Richard Vogel and Neelesh Misra