BANGKOK - THAILAND'S death toll from swine flu has risen to 14, the public health ministry announced on Friday.

The government office reported one more death from the A(H1N1) virus and confirmed another 146 cases, bringing the total number of infected since the outbreak began to 3,071.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted on Friday that all private tutorial schools must close for two weeks until July 28 to contain the spread of the virus.

The government said the schools, which provide extra coaching for students from public schools at weekends and during evenings, are a breeding ground for the virus, but owners have complained they will lose money because of the closure.

'I want to reiterate that the virus spreads easily and if we do nothing the situation will deteriorate,' Mr Abhisit told reporters. -- AFP