Thailand has three more deaths related to influenza A/H1N1 virus infection, bringing the country's death toll to 24, local media reported on Tuesday.

The victims are two women from Bangkok and one from Samutsakhon, a province next to Bangkok, the Channel 7 quoted public health ministry sources as saying.

The government is stepping up its effort to curb the epidemic outbreak.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, chairman of Thailand's national influenza committee, said on Tuesday that he will propose to the cabinet meeting the closure of all schools nationwide for two to four weeks to help curb the flu outbreak, but it was not necessary to shut down entertainment venues for the time being.

He would also ask the cabinet for a 70 million Baht (US$2.05 mln) budget for a publicity campaign to educate people on the best ways of avoiding infection by the swine flu virus.

As of Tuesday morning, Thailand has confirmed 176 more infection cases, bringing the country's cumulative total to 4057, the Channel 7 said.

Thailand had its first two confirmed patients on May 12.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2009)