Ties between Grandma Niam and I will carry on : PM

Grandma Niam died of cancer on Thursday morning on her way home from a hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province. She gave Abhisit a ring during his visit to the province in 2007, saying it would be a token of engagement and commitment between him and people of the northeast.

Abhisit said this morning he telephoned Grandma Niam who was in intensive care unit and was under life support system and given food through a tube.

He talked to her through a speaker of phone, wishing to communicate with her for the last time.

"I told Grandma Niam that the ties between her and her family and me will carry on," he said.

Earlier it was reported that Abhisit is monitoring the health of grandma Niam and seeing if he can find some time to visit her.

Abhisit was informed that the 80-year-old fell seriously ill and was admitted to the hospital.

Earlier, it was reported that Abhisit would go to visit Grandma Niam on Thursday.

Her 58-year-old son La Kiewyom said his mother was hospitalised on December 17 for treatment of high blood pressure because of she was excited to know that Abhisit got to be the PM. Later she was diagnosed with cholecystitis, with a stone in her gall bladder.