Pictures courtesy of Naewna

 

The Ministry of Defence has reported significant progress in landmine clearance along the Thai–Cambodian border, confirming that a total of 381,861 square metres have been rendered safe as of 17 November 2025. The update, published on the ministry spokesperson’s official Facebook page on 19 November, outlines clearance results from five key areas in Sa Kaeo, Surin, Trat and Buri Ram provinces. The report highlights varying completion levels, with some locations nearing full clearance while others still contain extensive confirmed hazardous zones.

 

The clearance campaign covers long-suspected minefields dating back to regional conflicts, with operations running throughout October and November 2025. At Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Khlong Hat district, Sa Kaeo, teams have cleared 230,805 square metres since 10 October, representing 78% of the target area. A further 65,000 square metres, or 22%, remain confirmed to contain landmines.

 

At Ban Nong Chan in Non Mak Mun subdistrict, also in Sa Kaeo, 34,453 square metres have been declared safe since 30 October, accounting for 12.8% of the zone. The remaining confirmed hazardous area totals 234,204 square metres, or 87.2%, indicating a substantial workload ahead. In Surin’s Ban Thai Niyom (Chong Heo) in Bak Dai subdistrict, 8,310 square metres have been cleared since 2 October, representing 36.7% of the area, while 14,324 square metres, or 63.3%, still require clearance.

 

In Trat’s Ban Cham Rak in Mueang district, only 13,651 square metres have been cleared since 30 October, amounting to 3.1% of the site. Authorities report that 423,391 square metres, or 96.9%, of confirmed mine-affected land remain. Meanwhile, operations at Ban Sai Tho 10 Tai in Sai Taku subdistrict, Ban Kruat district, Buri Ram, have cleared 53,534 square metres since 28 October, equal to 29.95% of the surveyed land, leaving 125,196 square metres, or 70.05%, containing confirmed threats.

 

Additional clearance in Sector 2 has delivered 50,848 square metres of safe land, or 28.84% of the total. The remaining confirmed hazardous zone stands at 125,448 square metres, or 71.16%. Officials state that the overall progress reflects steady advances despite difficult terrain and the technical challenges of demining in remote border areas.

 

Naewna reported that The Ministry of Defence is expected to continue releasing updates as operations advance across all affected provinces. Clearance teams will focus on reducing the remaining confirmed hazardous zones to improve safety for local communities and future land use. Authorities emphasise that systematic verification will continue until all marked areas are fully cleared and certified safe.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand has cleared 381,861 square metres of land along the Cambodian border as of 17 November 2025.

• Several areas remain heavily contaminated, with some zones still more than 80% uncleared.

• Clearance operations will continue with regular Ministry of Defence updates.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna  2025-11-20

 

 

& the boots (anti mine) & the "Marvellous robot" are used ?