PM to hold video conference from the US

       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will keep a tab on events at home via satellite-linked live broadcasts and teleconferences from New York when he attends the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
       The Prime Minister will be in the US from September 22-26 for the UN and Group of 20 (G-20) meetings. He will deliver a speech at the UN, meet American investors and the Thai community in New York. After that he will fly to Pittsburgh on September 24 for the G-20 summit.
       PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey has instructed his staff to prepare for live video conferencing from New York to a weekly Cabinet meeting on September 22.
       Abhisit would hold his video conference at Government House from 9am to 10am every day to brief media representatives on his activities in the US.
       This would enable the prime minister to keep in touch with the situation at home and monitor security when he was away, a government source said.
       People around the premier fear a military coup while he is away. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled by his Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin while he was about to take the stage at the UN conference in September 2006.
       Panitan Wattanayagorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said Abhisit wanted to keep in touch with people at home to inform them about his work in the US. The plan has no relation to security concerns, he said.
       The prime minister's speech at the UN General Assembly on September 26 will be televised live in Thailand. Abhisit's speech is scheduled for 9.15am New York time (8.15pm Bangkok time).
       Minister Satit has assigned 13 technicians to accompany the prime minister to facilitate the broadcasting.
       Normally, there would be only a three-member crew from TV Pool accompanying the prime minister to New York every year. General Surayud Chulanont was the last Thai prime minister at the UN conference after Thaksin.