mysql_set_charset()
bool mysql_set_charset(char_set[,connection])
This function sets the default character set for the current
connection to MySQL, or for a connection given with the function. For
a list of acceptable character set names that may be given as an
argument to this function, execute SHOW CHARACTER
SET; from the mysql client. Here is an
example:
...
mysql_set_charset('utf8', $connection);
...