Authorities in Sa Kaeo province successfully removed landmines dating back to the Cambodian Civil War, nearly five decades ago, from Thai territory along the border with Cambodia on Friday. The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) of the Royal Thai Army was notified of three mines residing in Ta Phraya district via social media.
Explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) officers promptly responded and confirmed the presence of the first mine, situated just 300 meters from Sri Pen Road. The other two mines were found further down the same road, only 100 meters from the roadside. With security personnel cordoning off the affected areas, TMAC specialists, along with Aranyaprathet border police and local army rangers, meticulously prepared to neutralize the mines.
Throughout the operation, local residents on both the Thai and Cambodian sides of the border were kept informed and vigilant. This action came after a local resident, Samrit Ruayruen, had his leg amputated following a landmine detonation while foraging for food in a nearby forest on May 27. The 46-year-old had ventured deeper into the woods than usual, triggering the explosive.
The incident spurred the TMAC to launch a comprehensive search for any undiscovered ordnance in the vicinity. With the help of explosives detection dogs, the center has been locating mines and raising local residents’ awareness of how to identify them. Reportedly, the discovered landmines originated from the Cambodian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1975, ultimately leading to the deaths of over a million people.
A local farmer who had learned from the information provided by the TMAC was instrumental in discovering the newly removed mines. This collaboration between local communities and authorities is vital to ensure the safety of residents living near these historical conflict zones. By working together, they can effectively minimize hazards and protect residents from the dangers posed by these long-forgotten remnants of war.
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