HISTORY

The former SEATO Medical Research Laboratory, Bangkok, Thailand

The AFRIMS traces its origin to the year 1958 when a group of scientists from the United States and Thailand undertook a joint study of the cholera epidemic in Thailand. The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) recognized the significance of the cholera problem and established the SEATO Cholera Research Laboratory in 1959. Although initially tasked to conduct scientific research on various aspects of the cholera epidemic, the laboratory’s mission was expanded in 1961 to include research on other tropical diseases and renamed the SEATO Medical Research Laboratory. The laboratory became the AFRIMS upon dissolution of SEATO in 1977 and today operates as a joint American - Thai military medical research venture. It is comprised of both U.S. and Royal Thai Army components. Overall command rests with a Royal Thai Army officer of flag rank. The U.S. component functions as a special foreign activity of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Washington, D.C. and of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC).