Boonhome.net - Japanese government has been supporting landmine clearance in Thailand

Photo: On June 20 2005, Mr. Hitoshi Takesume, First Secretary and as representative from the Japanese Embassy to Thailand visited the landmine clearance site at areas north to Pha Mor E Daeng in Khao Pravihan National Park, Kantharalak district, Sri Saket province. This clearance project has been carried out by the Japan Alliance for Humanitarian Demining Support (JAHDS), in conjunct with the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC). Most of financial support for this project is received from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Takesume, who just presumes his position in Thailand, was welcomed by JAHDS staffs- Mr. Hiroshi Tomita, Mr. Koike, Gen. (RET) Ronnachai Srisuworanan, Mr. Amornchai Sirisai and other senior field staffs. He was first briefed in the control point of the project (photo) where he could see many different types of landmines found in that area. Later on, demonstration of different landmine clearance methods-manual clearance, mine sniffing dog, and mechanic clearance-were shown to him.

Landmines found at border areas
One may not realizes that in border areas of Thailand, there are many landmines still left buried after the war period, especially at Cambodia border. The Level One Landmine Impact Survey reveals that there area about 2,500 square kilometers along borders of Thailand are suspiciously contaminated with landmines. Though TMAC, focal body mandated by Thai government, tries hard to clear those landmines contaminated areas, the progress is not so fast compared with the whole hugely contaminated areas in Thailand. Reasons for the slow progress are that humanitarian clearance requires many safety procedures, and TMAC is always provided with insufficient budget and less number of staffs compared to what TMAC must takes responsibilities. Thus TMAC has to seek help from outside; be it from other countries or from NGOs. One of the big supports on mine action is received from Japan, the country that has long, cordial relationship history with Thailand, especially now in economic aspects.

The Japanese government has been supporting mine actions in Thailand for at least 5 years since 2001. Many supports from Japan on mine clearance in Thailand have been made through the international NGO namely JAHDS that has office in TMAC building, at Songprapa rd , Srigun, Donmuang, Bangkok Tel. 02-9292963.

First landmine clearance project of JAHDS, financially supported by Japan, was done to archeology site namely “Sdok Kok Thom” at Aranyapratet district, Sakaoe province. JAHDS cleared landmines together with GCCF and TMAC during December 2002 to January 2004 at “Sdok Kok Thom” vicinity as it was a battle field before and left with many mines that obstructed the restoration work for that archeology. More than 400,000 sq. m. at that site could be cleared by JAHDS and alliances, restoration work can start, many tourists can visit that significant site without landmine accident.

Second landmine clearance project of JAHDS, also financially supported by Japan, was carried out at Pha Mo E dang tourist attraction in Khao Praviharn National Park, Kantharalak district, Sri Saket province during September 9 2004 to July 9 2005. Clearance site situates at significant tourist attraction as it is the gate from Thailand to see Cambodian Preah Vihere temple that is just next to Thailand border, perching on beautiful mountain. The clearance shall provide safety to tourists; both Thais and foreigners who come to visit Pha Mo E Daeng of Thailand and who will cross to absorb the beauty of the temple in Cambodia.

It is not mushroom, but dangerous M79 UXO
This clearance project employs local civilians, most of them farmers who live close to project site, to clear landmine. They were sent for the short period training (5 weeks) at Ratchaburi Training Center before coming back to clear landmine. Though they are farmer, they have proved their grate achievement, by clearing more than 300,000 sq. m. together TMAC deminers. Merit of employing local civilians to clear landmines is that they have sense of ownership to contaminated areas where they also want to eradicate landmines so that they or theire relative can use that land. Another merit is that the employment provides income distribution to local communities that can help enhance economy to grass root. This project now is ending, and fortunately the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers continuing to fund the clearance at nearby places; Sao Tao natural pond and the place that sandy stone was cut to build Preah Vihear.

All the Japanese supports for landmine clearance have shown sincerity and well-wish to Thailand. The author as Thai citizen, would like to express deep gratitude and sincere thank on behalf of Thais to Japan, and also would like to invite others to do the same.