Thai PM moves up UN address amid coup fear

The change came as forces loyal to Thai military commander Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin reportedly seized the prime minister's office in Bangkok.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra brought forward an address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday amid a revolt by his military back in Bangkok, UN officials said.

Thaksin had been scheduled to address the annual General Assembly on Wednesday, but the order of speeches was altered and he will instead speak on Tuesday night, a spokeswoman said.

The change came as forces loyal to Thai military commander Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin reportedly seized the prime minister's office in Bangkok in response to a decision by Thaksin to sack the officer.

Thaksin also declared a state of emergency in the Thai capital amid rumours that Sonthi was plotting a coup d'etat.