KFC has apologised for a Facebook message that urged people to rush home during yesterday's tsunami scare in Thailand and order a bucket of chicken.

As people were being urged to evacuate beach areas, the company posted: "Let's hurry home and follow the earthquake news. And don't forget to order your favourite KFC menu."

It prompted hundreds of angry comments on Thai websites denouncing the company as insensitive and selfish.

By today the message was removed and replaced by one that asked for forgiveness.

Yesterday's earthquakes in Indonesia revived memories of the 2004 Asian tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives, including more than 8,000 people in Thailand.

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