BANGKOK, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister ordered to review the Public Health Ministry's procurement plan after the minister resigned because of suspected irregularities in the plan, Thai media reported Friday.

    Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants to revoke the unnecessary purchases and to tune down those at unusually high prices, Paijit Warachit, permanent secretary at the ministry, was quoted by The Nation online.

    Paijit, leading a group of senior officials from the ministry, met the premier at the Government House Thursday to discuss the findings of an investigative panel, which led to the resignation of the Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai.

    Witthaya on Tuesday announced he will quit his job to show the political responsibility after the government-appointed panel found "signs" of irregularities in the spending of the ministry's funds allocated to projects.

    Paijit told reporters that in the nearly hour-long meeting, Abhisit assigned them tasks to thoroughly review the procurement plan.

    Paijit, also one of the senior officials who deemed as responsible for the scandal by the investigative panel, insisted on his integrity. He said he had not been involved with the procurement plan since it was made before he became the ministry's top official.

    The plan had been put on hold after suspicions grew in September and the minister ordered it to be suspended.