Thailand's Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Tuesday ordered class suspension of all of its 435 schools, 200 nurseries, and 13 occupational training centers from July 15 to 19 to curb the rising A/H1N1 flu virus outbreak.

Speaking after a meeting of the city administrators, BMA Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the BMA will focus on campaigning for the people to wear a protective mask, especially at crowded places, the Bangkok Post's website reported.

The BMA is going to distribute 2 million face masks to the people at various crowded locations such as at the BTS electric train stations and Hua Lampong railway station, he said.

Also, the BMA will distribute face masks to Bangkok MPs and city councilors, who will re-distribute the face masks to the people in their constituencies, he said.

Meanwhile, from Tuesday, billboards to campaign for the people to wear the preventive mask and often wash hands will be put up at various corners of the city. The BMA will also ask all community radios to join the campaign to fight the new flu.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2009)