The Thai army is continuing operations to clear landmines in border areas of Sa Kaeo province as part of efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and return farmland to local residents.
The Burapha Task Force has been concentrating its efforts on Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo – two border villages in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo that have been the scene of several confrontations over encroachment by Cambodian civilians.
The goal is to remove suspected explosive remnants and establish safe zones for local communities, the First Army said in a statement on Monday.
In Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, the 2nd Engineer Battalion, working with the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC), has deployed mine clearance teams and machinery to survey and secure the designated ‘E’ zone.
Since operations began on Oct 25, a total of 18,905 square metres, or 9.2% of the targeted 205,405 sq m have been cleared. No mines have been found so far.
In Ban Nong Chan, safe zones already cleared in area ‘A’ total 11,219 square metres, or 35% of the 32,000 sq m target since work began on Oct 30. One POMZ-2 anti-personnel mine was found during the operation and safely removed on Oct 30.
Authorities are now preparing to return the cleared land to local residents for cultivation.
In addition to mine clearance, the 2nd Engineer Battalion has been constructing shelters and bunkers under the army’s Hathaitip Fund initiative to protect residents along the border, said the First Army.
The first phase included three shelters and 10 bunkers, with progress exceeding 40%. A second phase is under way, involving the construction of three more shelters and 62 bunkers, and is currently 6% complete.
The First Army has also reaffirmed its readiness to fully cooperate with Thai authorities in border demarcation surveys and ensure safety during joint inspections and temporary marker placements, in line with the General Border Committee (GBC) framework agreement between the two countries.