BAN NONG YA KAEO, THAILAND – A humanitarian demining operation in eastern Thailand has become a diplomatic flashpoint after the National Mine Action Centre (TMAC) accused Cambodian troops of repeatedly obstructing efforts to clear landmines in the border area.
Clearance operation authorised
On 11 October 2025, Air Marshal Ugrit Boontanon, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, approved the deployment of specialised mine-clearing equipment to remove unexploded ordnance from Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province. The operation is intended to protect civilians and restore safe access to agricultural land in the border community.
TMAC cites international mandate
TMAC spokesperson Colonel Siwa Wang-akarak said the site is part of a humanitarian mine-action programme conducted under the Ottawa Convention. “This operation is solely humanitarian,” he said, emphasising that the mission aims to reduce risks to local residents and allow full use of their land.
Cambodian troops accused of blocking work
According to TMAC, several clearance attempts have been impeded by Cambodian forces operating near the border. In response, TMAC appointed Major General Rangpirat Yaemkaset to oversee the operation and coordinate with the Burapha Task Force to ensure operational security. Burapha units have identified three contaminated locations in the area, TMAC said.
Humanitarian mission or leverage?
While Thai officials stress the humanitarian nature of the mission, the repeated disruptions have raised concerns that mine clearance could become entangled in wider bilateral tensions. Cambodia has previously accused Thai forces of human-rights violations along the frontier, and distrust remains high despite years of diplomatic engagement.
Adherence to standards and monitoring
TMAC has pledged to continue clearance work in close coordination with the Burapha Task Force and to monitor Cambodian actions closely. Officials say they will adhere to international humanitarian standards throughout the operation to ensure safety and legitimacy.
Impact on local residents
For residents of Ban Nong Ya Kaeo the situation is doubly frustrating: they cannot safely use their fields because of mines, yet efforts to clear the land are stymied by political and military friction. Local farmers say the inability to cultivate their land threatens livelihoods.
What happens next?
Thai authorities have warned they will press on with clearance if necessary, but acknowledged that doing so risks further diplomatic strain. How Bangkok and Phnom Penh resolve the standoff will determine not only the pace of demining but also the stability of cross-border relations and the safety of frontier communities.