Thousands of Landmines from Past Conflicts still Haunt Thai Villagers

 

SURIN – Everyday the villagers in this remote district which sits near the Thai-Cambodian border, face the possibility of being killed or maimed whenever they step out of their house.

 

This grim prospect was due to the presence of thousands of still active landmines and unexploded ordnances, remnants of past conflicts which once ruled this battle-scarred landscape decades ago.

 

“Although the conflict happened decades ago, the landmines and Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) are still active and posed a great danger to the local population, besides hampering government’s effort to develop the local economy,” said Amornchai Sirisai, President of Thai Civilian Deminer Association (TDA) here recently.

 

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thousands-of-landmines-from-past-conflicts-still-haunt-thai-villagers.html

 

-- © Copyright Chiang Rai Times 2017-03-20

It sounds like with the help of the Japanese, the problem is being solved. 

Hindering economic development" ... as in chopping down all the forest and planting rubber?

It is really tragic that these mines were laid forty odd years ago and yet have yet to be cleared.

422 Square kilometres is a lot, but pails into insignificance compaired with the issue in Cambodia, where injuries and death from mines are a daily occurence.

Well done to those who risk life and limb to clear them. It will be a happy day when all of the land is safe.

 

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

It is really tragic that these mines were laid forty odd years ago and yet have yet to be cleared.

422 Square kilometres is a lot, but pails into insignificance compaired with the issue in Cambodia, where injuries and death from mines are a daily occurence.

Well done to those who risk life and limb to clear them. It will be a happy day when all of the land is safe.

 

You are right, 422 square kilometers is 422 000 000 square meters.

Not sure every one "remembered"  one square km is one million square meters

5 hours ago, cooked said:

Hindering economic development" ... as in chopping down all the forest and planting rubber?

You make a valid point. About all the "development" that I can see on the horizon. 

Shouldn't the depositors of this explosive garbage be paying for the removal ?

 

4 hours ago, KKr said:

Shouldn't the depositors of this explosive garbage be paying for the removal ?

 

Why let them pay .They put them there let them clean them up. Not going to happen.

5 hours ago, KKr said:

Shouldn't the depositors of this explosive garbage be paying for the removal ?

 

Your right there young fella reminds me of the movie "Gone With The Wind"