Thailand's Public Health Ministry on Friday announced 71 more patients, who are confirmed to have caught the A/H1N1 flu virus, bringing the country's total number to 589.

Of the total, some 349 patients are in Bangkok, according to the Ministry's Bureau of Epidemiology. The other 82 cases are those in Nondhburi province, 63 in Pathoomthani province, 30 in Chonburi province and 27 in Samoothprakarn province, said the Ministry's Bureau of Epidemiology.

These provinces surround capital Bangkok as the remainder cases spread in many other provinces across the country, the Ministry's Bureau of Epidemiology said.

Thailand had its first two confirmed patients on May 12.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2009)