The ministry's permanent secretary, Charupong Ruangsuwan, announced the decision in the afternoon, hours after Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand went to Prem's residence with a garland to offer an apology for the seminar having been cancelled.

Pornthip - the acting director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science - initially sent the invitation to Prem, asking him to speak at the seminar, to be held on July 2

However, the respected forensic chief revealed earlier this week that the Justice Ministry decided to cancel the seminar on grounds that the political situation was too fragile for it to be held at this time.

Pornthip met yesterday with Prem's secretary to hand over the garland and letter of apology.

"I have to come in person because I issued the invitation for such a senior figure to come to the seminar that is now cancelled," she said.

Later permanent secretary Charupong said he couldn't understand Pornthip's action - because the ministry had confirmed the seminar would go ahead as planned.

"What she did has nothing to do with the Justice Ministry," Charupong said. He said he would assign his deputy, Manit Suthaporn, to invite Prem and Chai Pattana Foundation secretary-general Sumet Tantivejkul to speak at the seminar.

Charupong said he didn't plan to talk with Pornthip at present, because she remained "too stubborn".

"It will take some time for her to calm down because we are ready for a talk," he said. However, he said Manit would soon talk to Pornthip about the matter.