Thailand – The main security focus for Thailand at present is on maintaining internal security. On a regional basis, Thailand has a longstanding security relationship with the United States, having become treaty allies in 1954 with the signing of the Manila Pact which created the South East Asia Treaty Organisation. Although that organisation was eventually disbanded in the 1970s the pact, including its defence guarantees under article IV, remains in force. Today the country is considered one of the US’ closest allies in Southeast Asia.