Ministers from eight member nations of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) were set to meet on January 26-29 to decide on policy measures to support sagging prices without help from the International Natural Rubber Organisation (INRO).

"There will be a regular assembly meeting and an executive committee meeting during that time to deal mostly with administrative issues," the official told Reuters.

Other issues that the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City might discuss are supply management, a coordinated marketing system and the private sector's role in supporting prices, she said.

"But no policy decisions will be made there," she added. ANRPC comprises Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore,India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea.

The ministerial meeting waspostponed after a request by Thailand, the world's top producer and exporter of natural rubber.

Thailand said it could not send a Minister to attend themeeting as it coincided with a parliamentary no-confidence debate against three government ministers.

Although the debate is likely to focus on the finance minister, interior Minister and communications Minister, there is a possibility that the opposition could criticise other ministers.

The government's recently launched four billion baht intervention scheme to shore up rubber prices has been criticised as a political move and could an issue during the debate.

Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob said on Thursday inspections had put the government's rubber stockpile at 97,000 tonnes and not 198,000 tonnes as estimated earlier. He told Reuters the new figure was compiled after thelatest inspection of warehouses.