At a Handover Ceremony or a Demined Area
Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, Sa Kaeo Province
Wednesday, 6^th March 2002

Your Excellency, Governor of Sa Kaeo Province,
Your Excellency, Mr. Ambassador,
Distinguished Guest,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

After Thailand signed and ratified the Ottawa Convention, it has continuously conducted by Norwegian People's Aid in May 2001, showed that Thailand has 2,500 square kilometers of mine-contaminated area, spread over 27 provinces along its borders.

The most dangerous areas affected by mines are the Thai-Cambodian, Thai-Myanmar, Thai-Laos and Thai-Malaysian borders in that order.  So as to make these areas safe, Thailand has mobilized many resources, including civilians, police, soldiers, volunteers and concerned organizations, both domestic and foreign, to work together to eliminate the danger from anti-personnel landmines.  It has encourages civilians and the private sector to participate in these activities.

The Supreme Command Headquarters was given the responsibility of establishing the Thailand Mine Action Center to conduct humanitarian demining operations.  Therefore, Humanitarian Mine Action Unit One was formed with personnel from the armed forces to undertake these activities.  Since the year 2000, the Unit has conducted demining operations along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The demining operations of Humanitarian Mine Action Unite One would not have been possible without the assistance of the United States in the form of technology, equipment, facilities and training.  For this, you have our sincere thanks and appreciation.  To be able to hand over to villagers a safe plot of land that was formerly infested with deadly mines is a major achievement.  Although, the area is not great, it shows Thailand's determination to meet its obligations under the Ottawa Convention.  In addition, a humanitarian mine action plan with involvement by civilians volunteers will be implemented later this year, and this in turn will lead to quicker and more effective demining operation.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: the auspicious time has arrived, and I would now like to hand over to His Excellency, the Governor of Sa Kaeo Province, 44,800 square meters of land, or about 28 rai, which has been made safe from mines by the Thailand Mine Action Center and which will be used for the prosperity and benefit of the local residents.

Thank you.