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Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot, Asean health ministers and representatives from Japan, China and South Korea will also issue a joint statement on regional cooperation to combat the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.

He said only Thailand and Indonesia could produce the Oseltamivir drug locally, adding that the Asean conference will also discuss the bestpossible ways to strengthen the region's surveillance system and rapid response to a cross border pandemic of the A(H1N1) flu.

This will cover diagnostic approaches as far as influenza symptoms are concerned and the exchange of information among regional health authorities.

Asean countries will also collaborate a regional network of laboratories for disease diagnosis, the results of which will be shared at the World Health Assembly at Switzerland.

On May 7, Asean's permanent secretaries for public health and senior officials will meet at the Dusit Thani hotel, to be followed by a conference of Asean health ministers on May 8.

Meanwhile, the Thai Public Health Ministry has asked all foreign airlines serving Thailand to disinfect their aircraft and cabin upon landing at Thai airports in a bid to prevent the spreading of influenza.

Prat added the health ministry will next week ask the cabinet to approve Bt 120 million for the operation for preparedness and response to pandemic of the influenza.

In addition, Dr Paijit Warachit of the health ministry said 14 Thai students will leave Mexico and arrive in Thailand shortly so they will have to quarantined at the ministry's nursing college.

If any of these students show the flu's symptoms, they will undergo tests at Bamraj Naradul Institute.