Thailand has supported the establishment of a regional animal diseases containment fund and has put up 300,000 US dollars to make it happen with an aim to contain any outbreaks of bird flu, as well as swine cholera and foot and mouth diseases, according to a senior government official. Thailand's proposal, according to Charal Trinvuthipong, vice minister for agriculture and cooperatives, was made during the recent 27th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers for Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) and the 5th session of AMAF with ministers of China, Japan and South Korea (AMAF+3) which were held in the Philippines.

The ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) focused on ways to strengthen cooperation among member countries to contain avian influenza, in which Thailand had been recognized by the international community on its success in containing both the deadly avian influenza and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome disease in the country earlier.

"Thailand also expressed intention to cooperate on the establishment of the ASEAN animal hygienic fund, aimed at laying out animal hygiene programs among ASEAN members," said Charal.

"This country has also offered to donate 300,000 US dollars for the program," he was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying.

Charal said he also took the opportunity to invite other ASEAN members to take part in a grand agricultural fair to be held in Thailand's northern resort city of Chiang Mai from Nov. 1, 2006 to Jan. 31, 2007.

Source: Xinhua