Tough economic times caused a garment factory in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong district to abruptly terminate employment yesterday of 102 workers and move out all equipment.

The workers showed up to work at Sin Anan International's factory but found the equipment gone and were unable to contact Manager Somsak Amnuayreungsri about what had happened and how they would be compensated. The workers alerted authorities as they feared they would not get paid their daily payment rate of Bt170 on the July 1 due date.

The district office and provincial office of labour protection and welfare rushed to assist the unhappy workers. They had the workers sign declarations they had come to work yesterday and filled in compensation request forms. If the employer fails to pay the workers as scheduled on July 1, the provincial office of labour protection and welfare could order the employer to give the workers due payment and compensation according to the Labour Protection Act 2008 within 15 days, or face criminal charges of resisting the labour official's order.

A 39-year-old worker, Suwanna Nilpetch, said the factory had 300 workers before the economic problems led to downsizing to 102. She said the factory manager announced on June 20 a day off for workers because there were no merchandise orders.

After workers showed up to find the factory bare of equipment, she said the manager told them by phone they were to work as usual and would get paid at Bt170 per day. However they were unable to reach the manager again.

As dengue fever grips more than 17,000 nationwide, Nakhon Ratchasima, with nearly 200 patients and one death, has toughened control measures.

In Pimai district, Tambon Pimai Municipality officials fumigated houses and incubation grounds after continuous rainfall exacerbated the dengue situation.

Provincial health official Dr Wichai Khattiyawittayakul said yesterday the province's 32 districts had seen 192 patients from January 1 until June 24, a ratio of 7.49 per 100,000 population, and one patient had died.

Those aged 10-14 suffered most, and Pak Thongchai district, which borders forest, had the highest number of patients, he said. Physical examinations have been begun.

The Disease Control Department reported that from January 1 to June 27 there had been 17,138 dengue-fever patients nationwide, a ratio of 27.04 per 100,000 population, and 16 deaths. In the past week, the nationwide number of patients increased by 1,550, said Wichai.

Key symptoms are 2-7 days of high fever, headache and muscle pain and red spots on body, arms and legs. Some also suffer nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite. In severe cases patients may enter shock and if not soon treated can die, he added.