Samak pledges rice to Philippines at 'negotiable' price

Philippine lawmakers were some of the strongest critics of Samak's plan, calling the idea of cashing in on high food prices inhumane. Filipinos now pay twice what they did last year for their rice.

Samak brought up the open-ended deal during talks with his host President Gloria Arroyo. He did not speak to the press. The quantity of rice to be sold to Manila was not discussed, Thai officials said.

Arroyo thanked Samak for the offer, saying it was made "in the spirit of Asean unity". Samak's visit to Manila was part of his familiarisation tour to introduce himself to Asean countries.

He was given full military honours at Malacanang Palace, where the two leaders met before attending a dinner banquet. Today, Samak is scheduled for a morning trip to a Manila market to check food prices. Protocol officers also hope to have him visit the International Rice Research Institute near Manila.

In a speech on the central island of Negros on Thursday, Arroyo said Samak's visit "will be a good opportunity to thank him for selling us rice very, very early in the day, so that now at least we have enough rice in our silos", officials said.