The Thai Ministry of Public Health asked the public to stay calm as the kingdom reported another 44 A/H1N1 flue cases on Sunday, adding the total confirmed cases nationwide rose to 150, Thai media reported.

According to the Bangkok Post online, the Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongvirot said most of the new cases are students.

However, he asked the public not to panic, as the disease is only a type of influenza and most new cases only suffered from seasonal flu symptoms. He also said the epidemic in Thailand is not yet severe.

The report said the Public Health Ministry had called a meeting with top officials, including ministry's deputy permanent secretary Paichit Varachit and Department of Disease Control deputy director-general Sirisak Warintrawat.

Prat said people can protect themselves from being infected by maintaining good health, getting enough rest and avoiding alcoholic drinks.

Besides, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier on Sunday in his weekly TV address that the number of A/H1N1 flu case nationwide is going to rise, but the government will not cover up the true figure.

Thailand reported its first two confirmed flu cases on May 12, and the pace of the epidemic has been slow until June 12, when 43 cases were confirmed across the country in a single day.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2009)