The Thai education minister said on Friday it is still not necessary to order all schools in the capital Bangkok to suspend classes, although five students in a private school have been confirmed of infecting with the A/H1N1 flu virus.

Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said, however, each school management is authorized to suspend classes if it is necessary, without seeking the ministry's permission, the Thai News Agency reported.

Three schools, which include Bangkok's St Gabriel's College, Saint Francis Xavier Convent School -- near St Gabriel's College and a kindergarten in suburban Pathum Thani province have suspended classes from June 12.

On Thursday, St Gabriel's College's administrators announced the suspension of all classes from June 12 to 18 after its five students have been infected with the A/H1N1 flu virus.

On Friday, involved parties cleaned and disinfected the school to prevent the spread of the virus.

Speaking prior to departing to Cambodia on Friday morning, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the A/H1N1 flu in outbreak was limited to a few areas, and the government has already implemented preventive measures to fight the deadly new virus.

In a related development, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said the number of the A/H1N1 flu patients is expected to rise further, while currently Thailand is also on the normal human flu season.

However, Thai people should not be panic and should follow preventive steps suggested by the Ministry, said Witthaya.

Also, the Ministry is expected to finish producing handbooks of preventive measures on Monday as the handbooks will be distributed to risk-affected areas including schools, factories, entertainment places and prisons to curb the A/H1N1 flu outbreak, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2009)