Bangkok, Thailand (BBN) – Thailand on Saturday confirmed first two deaths caused by the deadly influenza A (H1N1) virus, the public health ministry said.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai told a press conference that a 40-year-old woman died on June 20 at a private hospital but the ministry has only now been informed of her death.

Another patient was a 42-year-old man who died at a hospital in Si Racha district of Chon Buri, near the capital, Bangkok, on Saturday morning. He had returned from overseas recently and was admitted into the hospital on June 23, said the minister added.

On Saturday, the Thailand government confirmed some 1209 swine flu cases. Of them, over 1100 have recovered. Twenty-two of them are being treated in different hospitals while the condition of two were stated to be critical.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-28June09-2:14 am (BST)