Thailand Mine Action Center released 29.7 sq.km. of Suspected Hazardous Areas (SHA) and Confirmed Hazardous Area (CHA) located in at Rueng-Phueng area, Dome-Pradit Sub-district, Nam-Yeun District, Ubon-Ratchatani. Approximate 1,800 landmines and UXO were recovered and disposed during the operation.
Lt. Gen. Sittipol Nimnuan, Director-General of Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), Military Command Center, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, accompanied by a working group assigned by the Chief of Defence Forces, visited to assess the operational readiness of the Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 3 (HMAU-3) and Thai Civilian Deminer Association (TDA) which are tasked to carry out Rueang-Phueng Operation 2020.
The objectives of a visit is to inspect and ensure the readiness of the personnel, equipment, helipad, transportation, and communication. The Director General of TMAC was also brief on the operational plan. Upon the visit, Director-General of TMAC gave a remark and suggestions to operators at the Border Area Development Center, Nam-Yeun district, Ubon-Ratchatani.
The Rueng-Phueng Operation 2020 aim was to release Suspected Hazardous Area (SHAs) at Rueng-Phueng area, Dome-Pradit Sub-district, Nam-Yeun District, Ubon-Ratchatani. The area used to be the battleground since 1985. The most prominent terrains known as ‘Hill 500’ located in Pa-Nom Dong-Rak Mountain was occupied by warring factions in 1985. After the battle had ended, a great number of mines and UXOs remain in the ground impacting the lives of Thai people who in the area.
Initially, there are 73 sq.km. of SHA which HMAU 3 and Thai Civilian Deminer Association (TDA) was able to release 43.4 sq.km. during Oct 2019 – June 2020. However, the 29.7 sq.km. of SHA were not left because of the extremely difficult terrain consist of steep mountains. The areas are virtually inaccessible via ground, even the operators are not able to walk to the destination. In addition, there are no cellular service and water source.
To release the rest of 29.7 sq.km., TMAC decided to undertake this operation. This effort involves multiple agencies to ensure its success by pooling the resource. Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), HMAU 3, and TDA as main humanitarian mine action body. The Royal Thai Army provide the necessary air transport to allow the staff and equipment to reach the SHAs while the Dom Pradhit Subdistrict Authority, as local authority, provide additional operation support where possible.
The integration between different units are paramount to the overall success. In particular, the effort will show Thailand’s commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty as well as allow the SHAs to be safely returned to the local community and authority.
