PM said farewell before Grandma Niam died

Sadly, just three weeks after she shot to prominence, the 84-year-old has passed away.

Grandma Niam died of cancer yesterday morning on her way home from a local hospital.

In his speech, Abhisit said he was reminded about his bond with Isaan people at all times by a gold ring Niam gave him as a memento to "engage" and commit him to the Northeast.

The Democrat leader met her on the campaign trail in the lead-up to the December 23 election.

"I can't help mention Grandma Niam. When I was there on an election campaign she gave me this ring and said I was now engaged to northeasterners," Abhisit said, raising the gold ring as he spoke.

"I don't know if Grandma Niam is watching. But I'd like to tell her today that the man who received the ring from her will work for her, her relatives, her northeastern people and all her Thai compatriots with fairness, dedication and honesty," he said.

Grandma Niam was watching Abhisit's speech live on TV when he said those words.

The former Morlam (Isaan ballad) singer was unavoidably engaged in Thai politics as Abhisit's message was a clear message to rural people, including those in the Northeast where the Democrats have struggled to win votes.

On a TV programme the following day, she said to Abhisit: "I am glad you kept the ring I gave you with all my love and sincerity."

She believed Abhisit would be a good premier, so she gave him the ring she had worn since she was 18.

Grandma Niam was hospitalised on that day with high blood pressure. Her son said it was because she was excited to learn about Abhisit being premier. She was later diagnosed with cholecystitis, or a stone in her gall bladder.

Before going into a coma, she told her children to grind rice to welcome Abhisit, on learning he would visit her.

But when reports about Abhisit's plan to visit her spread, 200 anti-government protesters surrounded the hospital on Wednesday.

Abhisit said yesterday he had phoned Grandma Niam when she was on a life support system and being given food through a tube in an intensive care unit.

He talked to her through a speaker on the 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," Abhisit said.