Australia is set to sign a deal with Thailand to counter human trafficking as Foreign Minister Penny Wong continues her friendship tour of the Pacific.
Wong is set to meet with Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today.
She will sign off on Australia's support of a first-of-its-kind training centre that will focus on countering human trafficking.
The deal comes as Wong confirmed Australia sought deeper engagement with south-east Asia.
"Ultimately Australia seeks, and I believe Thailand also seeks, a region that is peaceful and predictable, a region that is governed by rules and norms where all countries and all peoples can cooperate, can trade and thrive," she said.
Australia also signed an agreement with Thailand for a four-year plan on military and economic cooperation.
Thailand has been a long-standing centre for human trafficking, despite government efforts to counter the scourge.
Australia's ongoing effort to shore up allies in south-east Asia and the Pacific comes in the face of renewed anger from China after reports the US could station nuclear-capable bombers near Darwin.
SOURCE: 9News
