Early in May of this year, it was noticed that the number of cases of cholera in Bangkok was above average. It wasn't until the end of the month that the Health Department realised it had an epidemic on its hands.

During the first week of June the virus spread rapidly, soon nearby towns and provinces were striken and the number of victim per day went up to 160, with a daily death-roll of 6.

Urgent appeals went out from the city to the World Health Organisation, the International Red Cross and the neighbouring countries for vaccines and other essential supplies and nursing staff.

Striken areas were cordoned off by the Thailand Health Authorities and vaccination stations set up on the borders of the provinces. Within a month over 5,000 cases were reported and 690 people were known to have died from the ravages of this disease.

All possible hospital accommodation has been taken up and mass Vaccination campaigns are in progress. 24 of the 71 provinces have been hit by this latest cholera epidemic but the Health Ministry is confident that it is past its worst.