Mingkwan to keep his job inspite of PM's snub

"Mingkwan appears in cheerful spirit after being informed about the remarks of Samak Sundaravej," Tongthong said.

He said his minister should not be disheartened and quit because the subsidised rice price for consumers did not impact on the paddy price for farmers. The consumption of rice is at 540,000 ton while the sale of "blue flag" rice amounts to 1,500 ton.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Samak is scheduled today to chair the meeting of the National Rice Policy Committee to tackle the falling paddy price.