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With the official death toll at 26 in Thailand, Min Buri police yesterday morning reported the death of Misstine Thailand employee Saisunee Siripanyasuk, 47. Her relatives told police that she had chronic high blood pressure and had suffered from high fever and flu-like symptoms since July 13.

After two days of no improvement to her fever Saisunee went to Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, where she initially tested negative for the virus and was sent home to rest.

She kept complaining of muscle and bone pain before she died, the relatives told police. Her body was thus sent for autopsy to determine whether the cause of death was her chronic illness or the influenza virus.

Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party yesterday hosted a seminar at Bangkok's Miracle Grand Hotel attended by 100 health volunteers.

Former public health minister Suchai Charoenrattanakul voiced concern that developing a vaccine normally took two years according to the US Food and Drug Administration but the Thai government said the research would take only three months. He said this was very risky against such a fast-spreading and mutation- prone disease, as the vaccine might be effective for only three months and waste Bt600 million of budget.

He criticised the government's confusing policy leading to official hesitation to act in the early stages of the outbreak.

He urged the government to provide transparent information to the public and the Public Health Ministry to update every Monday, Wednesday and Friday rather than once a week.

He demanded a thorough virus-testing service, the construction of labs nationwide so results could be reported within 24 hours and a sufficient supply of Tamilflu.

As part of the "Big Cleaning Day" event, Deputy Bangkok Governor Dr Malinee Sukavejworakit presided over the cleaning of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Medical College and Vajira Hospital yesterday to prevent flu outbreaks. Vajira Hospital has opened a fast track for type-A (H1N1) patients serving 600 people a day. BMA schools, which will reopen on Monday, have been ordered to use thermometers to check each student for fever before they enter the school and send those with a fever home.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who led the Victory Monument cleaning and the distribution of face masks and hand gel, yesterday said thermometers were not sufficient and the city might temporarily close its 435 schools.

He said that BMA premises would be cleaned frequently and urged the public members to clean homes and offices. The BMA has ordered two million more face masks for public distribution.

Bangkok has had 2,400 type-A (H1N1) patients and 12 fatalities.

In a speech to a local-administration seminar in Parliament yesterday PM Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the public not to panic and suggested those with flu-like symptoms rest at home and take fever medicine. If after 2-3 days they still have a high fever, joint pain and diarrhoea, they should see a doctor immediately, he said.

Democrat Party spokesman Booranut Samutrak said former premier Chuan Leekpai had invited the Public Health, Labour and Education ministries to a meeting tomorrow on flu prevention at workplaces and schools.

National Institute of Education Testing Service (NIETS) director Uthumporn Jamornman said 62 students had presented medical certificates that their absence from General Aptitude Test and Professional Aptitude Test (GAT/PAT) exams had been due to the flu and NIETS would hold special GAT/PATs on August 8-9 at its office in the Phayathai Building. She said some 20 students from the provinces would be provided with accommodation and transport fees.