Singapore - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Monday said the city-state would work closely with Thailand as the chair of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen the organisation and make steady progress on its integration.

"We must focus our energies in the coming months to ensure a productive meeting at the ASEAN summit in October," Lee said at an official lunch in honour of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was on a one-day official visit to Singapore.

"Together, we can work for a peaceful and prosperous South-East Asia that is fully engaged with the major powers," Lee added.

The Singapore prime minister stressed that both countries were "old friends," highlighting steadily growing bilateral trade and cooperation in defence and security issues.

In addition, Lee suggested that Singapore and Thailand could collaborate to promote tourism in both countries, for example, through joint marketing and cruise tourism.

"Our two countries must also bolster our cooperation, bilaterally, regionally as well as internationally," he said.

Abhisit was also scheduled to meet with President SR Nathan and return to Bangkok Monday night. (dpa)