The two have long been entangled in a struggle to control influential government posts. Suwat once served as the tourism minister and even after moving up to the deputy premier's post, he still oversees the ministry.

At the meeting, Suwat said some media had reported that he was part of the trouble befalling a project at the Tourism Ministry. But he denied any blame, saying he was not involved in the project and did not know any of its details.

"As far as I know, the project has been proposed to a Cabinet screening committee," he said.

"I want to trust the Cabinet that if some ministers don't understand, they should talk to each other, and not talk via the press," he said.

Pracha immediately countered by saying everything that was happening could be checked and he had approved the project before sending it to the committee.

But the project was asked to be reconsidered and it had been sent to the committee again, and the result of the plan was changed, he said.

"I don't like talking too much. I had to be patient for more than six months. Even though it seems I'm silent, I'm not allowing someone to easily snatch [the issue] from me," he said.

The atmosphere at the meeting became strained, prompting caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stop the argument.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation