Thailand says it will formally join with other key Southeast Asian nations to form an anti-terrorism coalition. The broad ranging cooperation agreement will be signed this week during a summit of the Association of South East Asian nations, or ASEAN.
Thailand announced it will join Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia by signing a wide ranging cooperation agreement in the regional fight against terrorism.
The broadening security alliance was announced on the side of the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN, summit meeting being held in Phnom Penh.
Under the deal, countries will share security information, standardize search-and-rescue operations, share airline passenger lists, and tighten border controls. There will also be joint counter-terrorism exercises.
The terrorist attack on the Indonesian resort island of Bali last month, bombings in the Philippines and renewed warnings of active regional terrorist groups have created a sense of urgency.
The agreement comes as regional security is set to take center stage at the ASEAN summit.