Thailand
EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT
- USAID supports improved water delivery at more than 225 waterworks, servicing 11 million people across the country.
- USAID assists Thailand’s efforts to enhance regional trade, economic growth, and governance through support of the broader ASEAN community.
- USAID’s support of the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot has enabled it to cope with a 23 percent caseload increase, to 140,937 visits in 2008, with more than half of its patients coming from Burma to seek medical care.
USAID/ASIA SITE
www.usaid.gov/rdma
CONTACTS
Supervisory Program Officer
Sara Walter
GPF Towers, Tower A
93/1 Wireless Road
Bankok, 10330 Thailand
Tel: 662-263-7400
Email: swalter@usaid.gov
Thailand Desk Officer
Cheryl Jennings
Tel: (202) 712-4705
Email: cjennings@usaid.gov
USAID trains health workers who care for Burmese migrants and refugees, who have crossed into Thailand for economic, political, and safety reasons. (Photo: Hal Lipper, USAID/RDMA)
Overview
USAID’s programs in Thailand, implemented through the Regional Development Mission for Asia in Bangkok, address numerous regional and transnational issues. These include the responsible use of natural resources; reduction of the incidence of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis; prevention of human and wildlife trafficking; resolution of political conflict; and the achievement of an integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community by 2015. USAID’s programs in Thailand have been profiled in internationally broadcast documentaries on CNN and the Discovery Channel.
Programs
Peace and Security
USAID and the MTV Europe Foundation have produced and aired a documentary, public service announcements, and an animated film about the dangers of being defrauded or coerced into forced labor, servitude, or sexual exploitation. A concert was held in Bangkok to further educate people about the issue.
In southern Thailand, USAID supports conflict management and reconciliation by improving the prospects for southern ethnic groups to have a better education. This addresses longstanding concerns within the local community and improves their ability to participate in the Thai political system, its institutions of governance, and the judiciary. In northwestern Thailand, USAID is improving conditions for people displaced by Burma’s repressive regime.
Governing Justly and Democratically
USAID continues to support the strengthening of civil society in the political process as well as public involvement in the drafting of new legislation. In addition, in response to continuing political instability, USAID is starting a new governance program at the behest of the Royal Thai Government.
Investing In People: Health and Environment
USAID’s HIV/AIDS program in Thailand focuses on most-at-risk populations and people living with HIV/AIDS, building capacity and developing replicable models for HIV prevention and care. This is accomplished by sharing information and best practices as well as improving the capacity of local and national partners. As part of its regional program, USAID also works to mitigate the spread of avian influenza, malaria, and tuberculosis, and assists Thailand in building its ability to conduct research in infectious diseases, track their spread, and train researchers and caregivers.
USAID supports improved water delivery at more than 225 waterworks, servicing 11 million people across the country. It is helping wastewater treatment facilities to upgrade their operations and management. It is also working with Thai government agencies to develop a policy framework and guidelines to address pollution and the maintenance of treatment facilities.
Investing In People: Environment
By sharing innovations through the regional networks in which Thailand participates, USAID introduces policies, practices, and technologies to address key challenges in biodiversity conservation, transnational water management, and clean energy and climate change. USAID promotes regional cooperation and strengthened environmental governance.
The illegal wildlife trade is damaging ecosystems and threatening species throughout Southeast Asia. Wildlife traffickers operate within and between countries, with Thailand often serving as a transshipment point. USAID supports Thailand’s participation in a regional anti-trafficking network that trains police, customs officials, national park personnel, and the judiciary, and encourages cross-border cooperation.
Economic Growth
Through Thailand’s participation in ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, USAID assists efforts to enhance regional trade, economic growth, and governance, thus leading to greater regional economic integration and cooperation on issues of interest to the United States.
Humanitarian Assistance
USAID has completed its coastal livelihoods initiative, which was launched after the 2004 tsunami. In addition, it has improved Thailand’s disaster warning system and community preparedness in vulnerable coastal areas.
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