During 7-16 September 2014, Thailand will organize a training program on humanitarian mine action for 10 Myanmar officials from various governmental agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Myanmar Mine Action Center.

On 8 September 2014, the delegation will pay a courtesy call on Lt. Gen. Krisda Norapoompipat, the Director of Thailand Mine Action Center, before traveling to Ratchaburi, Surin, and Sisaket Provinces to attend an 8-day training program on theory and practical exercises at the training facilities of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) located in these provinces. The delegation will also have an opportunity to call on high ranking officials of the Thai Foreign Ministry and representatives of the Thai Civilian Deminers Association (TDA) and the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). The training program will cover a broad range of topics including the issue of mine component and basic safety measures, mine detection equipment, land release technique, team planning, and mine detection and clearance.

The training program, which is jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the TMAC, is aimed at sharing Thailand’s experiences, enhancing better understanding and capacity building of Myanmar’s personnel, and strengthening bilateral cooperation in mine action-related activities between Thailand and Myanmar. This activity also supports the preparedness for the safe return of displaced persons from Myanmar, whom are currently residing in the 9 temporary shelters across Thailand.

Thailand has hosted more than 100,000 displaced persons from Myanmar on humanitarian grounds for the past three decades. The ongoing positive developments in Myanmar encourage the prospect of an eventual return of these groups to their country of origin in the coming future. Preparedness for a return of these people in a sustainable, safe and dignified manner is vital. Demining along the Thai-Myanmar border is without a doubt, a key factor in ensuring the success of this process.