The Tropical Hygiene Section was formed as one of the original units of the Faculty of Tropical Medicine which was established in 1960. Since then, the section has been responsible for providing lectures and field training as part of the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (D.T.M. & H.) curriculum. Research activities of the section were comprised mainly of epidemiological research related to public health problems among rural populations in Thailand . In 1974 along with the rapid growth of the faculty, the Tropical Hygiene Section was upgraded into the Department of Tropical Hygiene. At present, the department is responsible for providing instruction and training to the masteral and doctoral degree programs in Tropical Medicine in addition to the existing D.T.M. & H. course. And continuing its research tradition, activities being carried out at the moment are mainly in the field of epidemiology with the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) on various tropical diseases. The department is also involved in providing specialized short training courses on epidemiology, data analysis, and GIS. Furthermore, the department has direct responsibility in managing the Rajanagarindra Tropical Disease International Centre (RTIC) located in a malaria-endemic rural community near the Thai-Myanmar border in Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province . For many years now the RTIC, through its malaria clinic, takes pride in its continuous delivery of free and quality health services to local residents.