Thailand graduated from USAID assistance in 1995 and in 2003, USAID opened a regional mission in Bangkok that serves the Asia-Pacific. Drawing upon Thai expertise, USAID works on cross-border issues of concern to Thailand and the region.

The bulk of USAID activities in Thailand address transnational challenges through regional programs, including support to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Lower Mekong Initiative, and other regional forums. These efforts are leading to greater regional economic integration and cooperation on issues of mutual interest to the United States and Thailand.

OUR WORK

While Thailand has become an upper middle-income country, it is not immune to regional and global development challenges that put lives and hard-earned economic growth at risk. Such challenges include human trafficking for forced sex work and labor, involvement as a transit and source country for illegal wildlife products and high prevalence of HIV and AIDS in specific populations.

USAID partners with Thailand to help address these and other transnational challenges.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE

USAID works to protect and empower vulnerable populations, such as those targeted for human trafficking, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex communities which are especially vulnerable to violence, social stigma, and discrimination. We helped launch the Center for Civil Society and Nonprofit Management at Khon Kaen University — the first of its kind in Southeast Asia — to enhance skills of current and future civil society leaders and promote greater citizen engagement.

GLOBAL HEALTH

USAID’s regional health programs in Thailand and neighboring countries address HIV and AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and avian influenza and emerging infectious diseases. USAID works to control the HIV epidemic by demonstrating effective methods to reach, test, treat and retain in clinical services for key populations. USAID HIV/AIDS program benefited more than 60,000 people each year. Other programs address TB and multidrug-resistant TB, especially among mobile and migrant populations. Through the President’s Malaria Initiative, our programs help strengthen the malaria information system to detect, track and respond to malaria cases with the goal of eliminating malaria.

ENVIRONMENT

USAID leverages Thailand’s expertise to build green growth, promote sustainable fisheries and end consumer demand for illegal wildlife products. Thailand is one of the world’s largest seafood exporters. USAID’s work developing a regional traceability system will support the new U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program and prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fish from entering U.S. markets. The Supreme Court of Thailand is the official partner for USAID’s regional wildlife trafficking activity.