The United States and Thailand have signed an agreement that will allow the two countries to work closer together on economic development in East Asia.
The agreement calls for creating a regional USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) mission in Bangkok.
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok says the mission expects to spend nearly 56-million dollars to support programs in China, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam.
The embassy says the programs include halting the spread of HIV - AIDS and other infectious diseases, protecting the environment and vulnerable populations, and promoting economic growth and democracy.
Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and the U.S. ambassador to Thailand, Darryl Johnson, signed the agreement Wednesday.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.