124comm

          Thousands Thai nationwide were sending well-wishes to family and friends via the old service, before it ends in Thailand on Wednesday 1 May.

          A farewell celebration for the telegraph was held at the GPO in Bang Rak until Wednesday, featuring exhibitions, souvenirs and a last opportunity to use it. But because of the surge of telegram senders, don"t expect your telegram to travel at the usual speed.

          The number of telegrams has dwindled from its peak (1985), with some 8.32 million telegrams sent that year, to little more than 100 telegrams a day now. The average volume of 3,650 telegrams a month this year earns the post office just Bt 130,000 - far from covering the annual Bt 25 million in expenses.

          "This is my last chance to wish my daughter a happy birthday by telegram", says Nalinrat Chaimetheewat, who doesn"t remember the last time she used the telegraph service at the post office. She guesses it was about 20 years ago. The 59-year-old plans to revive the long-gone memory by sending a few telegrams for herself and her daughters, which they will keep us mementoes.