Table of Contents

Country Reports

LM Report 2004

Thailand

Key developments since May 2003: Thailand hosted and served as President of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok on 15-19 September 2003. In 2003, 718,910 square meters of land were cleared, and another 478,890 square meters in the first five months of 2004. A total of 170,890 people received mine risk education in 2003. During an illegal-weapons amnesty, numerous individuals turned in antipersonnel mines.

Key developments since 1999: A nationwide Landmine Impact Survey was conducted from May 2000 to May 2001 that identified 531 mine-affected communities in 27 provinces. The Thailand Mine Action Center was established in January 1999. Three military Humanitarian Mine Action Units were created in 1999 and 2000, and a fourth in 2002; a civilian demining team was also created in 2002. Humanitarian demining operations began in 2000 and a total of 1,162,236 square meters of land had been cleared at the end of 2003. More than 370,000 people received mine risk education from 2000 to 2003. Thailand completed destruction of its 337,725 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in April 2003. Thailand hosted and served as President of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in September 2003, and also hosted regional landmine conferences in 2001 and 2002. Thailand served as co-chair of the Standing Committee of the General Status and Operation of the Convention from September 2001 to September 2002 and as co-rapporteur the previous year.

Mine Ban Policy

The Kingdom of Thailand signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, and deposited its instrument of ratification on 27 November 1998, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to ratify. The treaty entered into force for Thailand on 1 May 1999. Thailand had been reluctant to embrace the Ottawa Process, choosing to follow the treaty’s negotiations as an observer. Since signing, Thailand has been an active supporter of the mine ban in the international arena and especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

While Thailand has not enacted comprehensive domestic legislation to implement the Mine Ban Treaty, it has prepared “The Office of the Prime Minister Regulations Governing the Implementation of the Convention.”^[1] This document apparently will be used to amend existing regulations to implement the ban treaty, with the Supreme Command (under the Prime Minister’s office) taking the lead.^[2] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes to have the amendments ready by the Review Conference in Nairobi in November 2004.^[3]

Thailand successfully hosted and served as President of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties at the UN Conference Center in Bangkok from 15-19 September 2003. Over 400 delegates from 119 countries participated, including 91 States Parties and 28 non-States Parties. More than 200 representatives of non-governmental organizations from 65 countries also attended. Princess Galyani Vadhna Krom Laung Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra of Thailand opened the meeting. Princess Astrid of Belgium made a speech and the Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyuth reported for the host country. Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, was elected President of the meeting. The ceremony and the week-long meeting received extensive media coverage.

Landmine survivors actively participated in the work of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties. In his closing remarks, Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “The meeting has also highlighted the plight of mine victims and mine survivors. We have stressed the urgent need to increase resource mobilization for mine action, including particularly for victim assistance. We have reiterated the fact that mine action is not only a humanitarian, but a development issue.... It needs to be addressed within the context of national social and economic development.”^[4]

Thailand has attended every annual Meeting of States Parties, and it has participated actively in every intersessional meeting, including those in February and June 2004. Thailand, together with Norway, served as co-chair of the Standing Committee of the General Status and Operation of the Convention from September 2001 to September 2002, and as co-rapporteur the previous year. Thailand takes part in the treaty’s Universalization, Article 7, and Resource Mobilization contact groups. In 2004, it has taken the lead on a Resource Mobilization Task Force dealing with the World Bank.^[5]

Thailand submitted its annual Article 7 Report on 3 May 2004, covering calendar year 2003. In voluntary Form J, it provides details about the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties. This was its sixth Article 7 Report. ^[6]

Thailand has voted in support of every pro-ban UN General Assembly resolution since 1996, including UNGA Resolution 58/53 on 8 December 2003. As President of the Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Thailand was a main sponsor of that resolution, as well as UNGA Resolution 57/74, adopted in November 2002, calling for universalization and full implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

In preparation for the First Review Conference, Thailand was scheduled to host a regional seminar on 30 August-1 September 2004. It will focus on integration of mine clearance into development and on regional cooperation schemes.^[7] Thailand participated in mine action workshops held in China (April 2004) and Cambodia (March 2003).

Thailand was a leader in the Bangkok Regional Action Group (BRAG), formed by States Parties from the Asia-Pacific region in September 2002 with the aim of promoting landmine ban initiatives in the region in the lead up to the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in September 2003. Thailand hosted the “ASEAN Regional Seminar on Landmines in Southeast Asia” in Bangkok from 13-15 May 2002. A Regional Conference on Victim Assistance was held in Bangkok on 6-8 November 2001. Thailand also participated in a stockpile destruction seminar held in Malaysia in August 2001.

Thailand has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties have had on matters of interpretation related to Articles 1, 2, and 3. Thus, Thailand has not made known its views on issues related to joint military operations with non-States Parties, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training.

The Thailand Campaign to Ban Landmines (TCBL), a coalition of eleven organizations, has been an active advocate of the mine ban and mine survivors needs.^[8] It has worked in a spirit of cooperation with the government, including for the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties, where it participated in the strategic planning committee chaired by the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC). TCBL designed the meeting logo and organized the exhibition side events and part of the Opening Ceremony.

Prior to the Fifth Meeting of States Parties, TCBL held campaign events all over the country. In April 2003, at the time of the final stockpile destruction event, 40 landmine survivors participated in a Bicycle Rally from Bangkok to Lopburi.^[9] A banner campaign, “Ten Thousand Hands Against Mines,” ran throughout the country for six months. At a reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 2003, diplomats, movie stars, other dignitaries and landmine survivors printed their hands in the banner. A mobile “Hold Hands Against Landmines” exhibit was displayed in universities, parks, and shopping malls. On 16 August 2003, a “Ban Landmines Fair” took place in Rodfai Park in Bangkok.

The TCBL translated the 2003 Landmine Monitor country report for Thailand into Thai language and distributed it widely to government officials and civil society groups. In a meeting at Government House, TCBL gave Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyuth a copy of the report.

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized a regional seminar, “APMs—Are They Worth It?,” in Bangkok from 21-22 August 2003. Over 50 representatives from civil society, including landmine survivors, media, academia and NGOs, from 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region participated; among them were representatives from countries not yet part of the Mine Ban Treaty: Brunei, Burma, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, and Vietnam.

In January 2004, Nonviolence International-South East Asia (NI-SEA) released “ASEAN and the Banning of Anti-personnel Landmines...a half decade since Ottawa,” a 32-page booklet based on the Landmine Monitor Reports from 1999-2003. Since 2001, NI-SEA published yearly a regional report drawn form Landmine Monitor research including the 2003 “ASEAN and the Banning of Antipersonnel Landmines” report, containing an analysis of trends of treaty compliance and mine action in the region.

Production, Transfer, and Use

Thailand states that it has never produced antipersonnel mines,^[10] including Claymore mines.^[11] In the past, it appears that Thailand imported antipersonnel mines from the United States, Italy, China, and the former Yugoslavia.^[12]

The government of Thailand has never exported antipersonnel mines; however, cases of illegal trade were reported in 2001.^[13] Two Thai army officials are still waiting to face a military court for an alleged attempt to illegally export antipersonnel mines in April 2001.^[14] There were also allegations regarding the sale of antipersonnel mines by Thai businessmen and by a Thai military commander to Burmese rebels in 2001.^[15]

No evidence was found for the allegation made in November 2002 in the Phnom Penh Post that mines had been laid by Thai border police or that landmines had killed Cambodian smugglers.^[16] In the past, Thai military forces laid extensive defensive minefields along the Thai-Cambodian border to prevent infiltration by Vietnamese troops. Mines were also used on the borders with Burma, Laos, and Malaysia.

Thailand accused Myanmar forces of laying mines inside Thailand in 2001. A simmering border controversy between the two nations escalated in February 2001 over a disputed piece of territory. Myanmar troops and a proxy army of the Wa are both alleged to have planted mines in this territory in the following months. The Thai government has lodged complaints about the mine-laying by Myanmar on several occasions.^[17]

Stockpiling and Destruction

On 24 April 2003, Thailand completed the destruction of its stockpiled antipersonnel mines. Thailand initially held 342,695 antipersonnel mines.^[18] From 1999 to 2003 a total of 337,725 mines were destroyed. The total amount spent for the operation was Baht 3,221,957 (US$77,517),^[19] or less than Baht 10 (US$ 0.24) per mine. It was funded solely by the Royal Thai Government.^[20]

A total of 4,970 antipersonnel mines have been kept for training and research purposes, as permitted under Article 3 of the treaty. Initially, Thailand proposed to keep 9,487 mines, but a decision was made to reduce this number in November 2001.^[21] Those responsible for the retained mines include the Royal Thai Army (3,000 antipersonnel mines), the Royal Thai Navy (1,000 mines), the Royal Thai Air Force (600 mines), and the Thailand National Police Department Border Patrol Sector (370 mines).^[22] TMAC stated that while none of the mines designated as retained for training have been consumed, the mines are being used as specimens during training.^[23]

Thailand reported in November 1999 that it had 6,117 M18 and M18A1 Claymore mines in stock.^[24] In 2004, TMAC reiterated that all units have been briefed that Claymore mines are to be used only in command-detonated mode; however, no physical modifications have been undertaken to ensure use in command-detonated mode.^[25] Other than its first report, Thailand has not included information in its Article 7 reports on stockpiled Claymore mines.

An unknown number of antipersonnel mines (including M14s, M26s, and Claymores) possessed by individuals were surrendered during the illegal weapons amnesty, from 17 October to 15 December 2003.^[26] Details on quantities and ownership have not been released to the public. After the amnesty period, more mines were found in canals, rivers, and even central municipal areas of several provinces.^[27] The illegal stockpiles were to be destroyed by government officials in charge of the operation. It does not appear that Thailand reported on the destruction of any of these mines in its May 2004 Article 7 report.

Landmine Problem, Surveys and Assessments

Thailand has a better picture of its landmine problem now than in 1999 when the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force, thanks to the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS), which was conducted from May 2000 to May 2001.^[28] The Landmine Impact Survey found that the total suspected mine contaminated area covered around 2,556 square kilometers, which is more than three times the previous estimate.^[29] A total of 531 communities in 27 provinces along the Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Malaysia borders were reported as affected. Three-quarters of the contaminated land is in the border area with Cambodia. Most of the 934 mined areas are no longer marked, except where active demining is occurring.^[30] The military possesses maps of only some mined areas. Many civilians continue to enter known mined areas to gather subsistence food, collect firewood, and farm, mainly due to the absence of job opportunities and other sources of income.

The final report of the Landmine Impact Survey was released in Thailand in October 2002.^[31] A Thai translation is now available. TMAC and General Chatichai Choonhavan Foundation (GCCF) reported having conducted technical surveys prior to any demining operation to clarify information from the Landmine Impact Survey.^[32] TMAC plans to conduct a Level-Two Landmine Impact Survey as a technical survey to follow up on the 2001 survey, aimed at a “clearer designation of mine-affected areas, enabling deminers to better concentrate their efforts.”^[33]

A very small part of the total contaminated land has been cleared since humanitarian demining operations started in 2000. At the May 2003 intersessional meeting, Thailand stated that it would not be able to meet its Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 clearance deadline of 1 May 2009.^[34] In February 2004, the Deputy Prime Minister assured the TCBL that Thailand will meet its obligations to become mine-free.^[35] However, the timetable and plans to achieve this result have not been established. In March 2004, Foreign Minister Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai told an international landmines symposium that Thailand is committed to speeding up mine action within its borders.^[36] In June 2004, Thailand again said that the amount of contaminated land “will take TMAC a longer time than stated in the Convention to eradicate landmines from the territory.”^[37]

The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) was installed at TMAC in early 2001. The UN Development Program (UNDP) hired civilian companies to install and run IMSMA. The LIS has been included in this database and on-going analyses have been performed.^[38] In 2004, TMAC is in the process of upgrading IMSMA to version 2.2.^[39] Previously, in early 2000, a database and a local area network linking TMAC with demining units were established at TMAC with assistance and funding from UNDP and the United States.

According to TMAC, IMSMA has been functioning with some limitations. Due to annual staff turnover, trained personnel were transferred and no civilian operators could be hired to run the system causing a back-log of data inputs. TMAC has requested that the Military Information Department, responsible for the Supreme Command’s information technology, take over the maintenance of the IMSMA central database.^[40]

Beyond IMSMA itself, ongoing data collection regarding mine action and mine casualties remains inadequate. Because TMAC relies only on information provided by Humanitarian Mine Action Units (HMAUs), not all mine-affected areas are covered and mine incidents are under-reported.^[41]

Coordination and Planning

The Thailand Mine Action Center was established in January 1999 with responsibility for the coordination of mine action operations and implementation of the National Mine Action Plan. The agency is under the Supreme Command of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. It receives government funds through the Supreme Command. TMAC currently cannot employ civilians directly, but is working, through the Supreme Command, to change its status to become a civilian agency.^[42]

Officers and staff are assigned to TMAC on a short-term basis, and according to the Director General, the annual turnover does not allow personnel to consolidate their experience. A new Director General of TMAC was appointed on 25 December 2003, and officially took up the position on 20 January 2004.^[43]

The National Mine Action Committee (NMAC), chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, is authorized to stipulate policy, supervise operations, conduct national and international public relations, advise the government, appoint subcommittees to work on relevant matters and to coordinate with any government agencies concerned.^[44] Though established in February 2000, NMAC did not have its first meeting until 18 December 2002, when it approved the “First Interim-Corrected and Revised-Edition of the Master Plan on Humanitarian Mine Action 2002-2006.”^[45] TMAC said in early 2004 it intends to revise and amend the plan in the near future.^[46] A meeting with all stakeholders was held to discuss this in Aranyaprathtet, Sa Kaeo province from 9-11 August 2004.

TMAC reported that new external funding continues to be sought to speed up mine clearance, while concentrated efforts are made to increase efficiency.^[47] Priorities identified in the Revised Master Plan are based on civilian needs, including access to schools, religious sites, agricultural land, and water sources.^[48]

Mine Clearance

In 2003, a total of 718,910 square meters of land was cleared in Thailand. TMAC’s Humanitarian Mine Action Units cleared a total of 311,438 square meters, and a civilian demining team supported by the General Chatichai Choonhavan Foundation (GCCF) and Japan Alliance for Humanitarian Demining Support (JAHDS) cleared 407,472 square meters.^[49] Combined, they found and destroyed 148 antipersonnel mines, one antivehicle mine and 86 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO). This marked the first time GGCF and JAHDS conducted clearance; previously they funded mine action. In the period January-May 2004, another 478,890 square meters of land were cleared (all by TMAC), including 95 antipersonnel mines, five antivehicle mines, and 93 UXO.

From the beginning of humanitarian demining operations in 2000 through 2003, a total of 1,162,236 square meters of land has been cleared.^[50] While only a small percentage of affected land has been demined, the pace of mine clearance has accelerated significantly. According to figures provided by TMAC, 22,400 square meters were cleared in 2000; 22,400 square meters in 2001; 398,526 square meters in 2002; and 718,910 square meters in 2003. If the rate for January-May is sustained, 1,149,336 square meters will be cleared in 2004.

On 23 January 2004, an area of more than 400,000 square meters around the ancient Sadok Kok Thom Temple, in Sa Kaeo province, was handed over to the provincial governor in a ceremony presided over by the Gen. Virachai Eyampongsawat.^[51] Mine clearance started in December 2002 and was conducted under a joint project of HMAU1, GCCF and Japan Alliance for Humanitarian Demining Support. The first civilian demining team funded originally by GCCF and JAHDS participated in the project.^[52]

The civilian team of 14 deminers was trained by TMAC in 2001. In March 2002 the team was involved in a survey in Khok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province and it first deployed for clearance operations in January 2003 in Sadok Kok Thom, Sa Kaeo province. TMAC has not been able to achieve its aim of training two additional civilian demining teams due to lack of funding.

On 26 November 2003, a total of 227,209 square meters of cleared land was verified in Khok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province including 94,360 square meters of agricultural land demined by HMAU1 and 132,849 square meters cleared by JAHDS and GCCF.^[53]

HMAU2 cleared areas near a border market and water and irrigation pathways. HMAU3 cleared areas near and around a highway and smaller roads. In 2004, HMAU4 carried out mine clearance for a Royal Project in Nan province, which included a school. On completion, it has cleared land for agricultural production in Khao Kho.^[54]

In addition to the humanitarian mine clearance described above, from 26 October to 20 December 2001, following a massive explosion at Nong Sarai Army Arsenal in Pak Chong district in Nakorn Ratchasima province, two teams of deminers worked on clearance of unexploded ordnance and mines in a radius of over five kilometers from the explosions.^[55] Emergency ordnance clearance operations in Pak Chong cleared 4,125,350 square meters of land.^[56] The explosions also destroyed 48,688 of Thailand’s stockpiled antipersonnel mines.

The TMAC structure includes the headquarters in Bangkok, one training center for deminers in Ratchaburi province, one training center for mine risk education in Lopburi province, and one detecting dog training center in Nakhon Ratchasima province. HMAUs 1, 2, and 3 were organized and trained in 1999 and 2000, while HMAU 4 was established in 2002. The planned fifth HMAU has not been established, in large part due to lack of funding.^[57]

In 2003, TMAC increased its personnel from 311 to 451, including 40 at headquarters, 32 at the deminer training center, 11 at the MRE training center, 15 at the detecting dogs center, 99 each in HMAUs 1, 2 and 3, and 56 in HMAU4. TMAC also has 26 mine-detecting dogs, four mechanical systems (two SDTTs, one Tempest T-10, one BDM-48), 83 Vallon 21 mine detectors and 34 Mine Lap detectors.^[58]

Mine Risk Education

In 2003, the four TMAC Humanitarian Mine Action Units and two NGOs—Handicap International (HI) and Asia Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)—conducted Mine Risk Education (MRE) activities along Thailand's eastern, western and northern borders. In total, the MRE providers trained 170,890 people. This included 169,461 by the HMAUs, 1,079 by HI, and 350 by ADPC.

According to information reported in previous editions of Landmine Monitor, more than 370,000 people received mine risk education from 2000 to 2003.

Before 1999 the government did little in terms of mine awareness. TCBL organized numerous programs from 1997 to 2000. As a part of its mandate, TMAC started to train its personnel in August 1999^[59] and proper MRE programs began one year later. A total of 248 communities including 185,888 people were reached from August 2000 to 2002.^[60] In 2003, HMAUs provided MRE to 169,461 villagers in 87 communities in nine provinces.^[61]

The Asia Disaster Preparedness Center, an international training center, has provided MRE training mainly to provincial government officials and teachers since 1999. In 2003, ADPC held a “Mine Risk Awareness Training Program in Most Highly Affected Communities” in three provinces: Surin (17-18 November); Sisaket (20-21 November); and, Chiang Rai (11-12 December). Three hundred and two community leaders participated in the program.^[62] A thousand booklets on the dangers of landmines and safety procedures were produced and distributed to the mine-affected communities.^[63] On 5-6 February 2003, ADPC provided MRE training to 48 district officials and teachers in the Khok Soong branch district of the Sa Kaeo province. During the period March 2004 to March 2005, ADPC is carrying out an MRE program in highly impacted communities along the Thai-Burma border. This program, funded by UNICEF, targets schoolteachers, students and their families.^[64] Since 1999, ADPC has provided MRE to 1,590 persons.

In 2003, Handicap International trained a total of 1,079 beneficiaries in three programs.^[65] From May 2003 to April 2004, HI, with support from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), conducted the “Burmese Refugee Minimal Self-reliance on Mine Action and Rehabilitation” program to address the emergency needs of refugees and displaced persons in camps along the Thai-Burma border provinces of Tak, Mae Hong Son Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi. The same program was carried out in calendar year 2003 with funding from UNHCR. The target group included refugee workers and camp leaders in eight refugee camps in Tak province (Mae-la, Umpiem, Nu-Po), three camps in Mae Hong Son province (Pang Kwai-Tractor, Mae Ra Ma Luang, Mae Kong Kha), one in Ratchaburi province (Tham Hin) and one in Kanchanaburi province (Don Yang).^[66]

During the period September 2003 to February 2004, HI held MRE workshops for children and distributed about 1,500 copies in Thai language and 1,000 copies in English of the comic book, “Letters from my Friend at the Border.” During the No Mines Day in late November HI also distributed T-shirts and umbrellas with MRE messages. School children received MRE posters and leaflets.^[67] A total of 1,430 posters and 3,355 leaflets were distributed in 2003.^[68] In March 2003, HI completed a three-year Community-Based Mine Awareness and Victim Assistance in Chanthaburi province. HI completed in March 2003 a two-year survey on mine casualties at the Mae Sot district hospital in the Tak province, along the border with Burma. From 2000-2003, HI provided mine risk education to 25,290 people.

From April 2001 to March 2002 the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees (COERR) ran an MRE program for 1,500 students.^[69]

Thailand reported MRE activities conducted by HMAUs its Article 7 reports submitted on 3 May 2004, 22 July 2003 and 30 April 2001.

Mine Action Funding and Assistance

In fiscal year 2004 (October 2003-September 2004), TMAC received Baht 38.8 million (US$933,489) for humanitarian mine action from the Royal Thai Government (RTG) national budget.^[70] RTG allocated Baht 35 million for TMAC in FY 2003, Baht 32 million in FY 2002, Baht 40 million in FY 2001, and Baht 16.4 million in FY 2000; the Supreme Command provided an additional Baht 1.6 million for TMAC in FY 2000.

The Royal Thai Government spent Baht 7,349,500 (US$176,822) to host the Fifth Meeting of States Parties.^[71] This includes approximately Baht 6.9 million (US$166,007) that TMAC received through the Supreme Command.^[72]

According to information provided to Landmine Monitor, international donations to mine action in Thailand in 2003 totaled about $1.2 million, with contributions from the United States, Japan, Canada, Norway, Australia, the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and UNICEF.

The United States has been the biggest donor for mine action in Thailand, providing about $13.6 million since 1999. The US announced that beginning in its fiscal year 2003, it would no longer provide direct financial assistance, but in FY 2003, the US provided in-kind assistance valued at US$70,000, as TMAC continued to use the SDTT-48 (Pearson) and TEMPEST demining machines for research and development purposes under the auspices of the US Department of Defense. The US also provided maintenance for TMAC trucks.^[73] In FY 2002, the US provided $801,000 in humanitarian demining assistance.^[74] In FY 2001, the US provided $1.77 million. In FY 2000, the US provided $3 million. In FY 1999, the US provided $1.75 million.

TMAC reported total funding of $1,655,075 for the Landmine Impact Survey carried out in 2000-2001. Donors included from Norway ($450,518), UK ($449,700), US ($308,105), UN Foundation ($154,052) Australia ($100,700), Canada ($100,000) and Finland ($92,000).^[75]

Apart from the United States and the Landmine Impact Survey, Thailand has not received very substantial international support for mine action.

In 2003, the government of Canada provided $7,335 to TMAC/TCBL for an ASEAN mine action seminar in preparation for the Fifth Meeting of States Parties and $7,280 to the Philippines Campaign to Ban Landmines for the Engaging Non-state Actors workshop held in Bangkok. In 2002, the government of Canada officially donated a Canadian-manufactured PROMAC (BDM 48) Brusher Deminer system and FIXOR explosives to HMAU 1, with an estimated value of $340,000. Canada reported mine action funding to Thailand in 2001 totaling $295,972.^[76]

Japan reported to Landmine Monitor that in 2003 it donated Yen 77.7 million ($637,000) to the Japan Alliance for Humanitarian Demining Support (JAHDS) for mine clearance in Thailand.^[77] Japan reported to the UN that it provided $436,187 for mine action in Thailand in 2002, and $476,081 in 1999.^[78] According to TMAC, Japan provided $400,000 for Thailand in 2000 to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Mine Action, but the funds were spent during the 2002 calendar year.^[79]

In 2003, Norway donated NOK252,000 ($35,582) to support TCBL campaign activities leading up to the Fifth Meeting of States Parties, including NOK150,000 to the Jesuit Refugee Service and NOK102,000 to the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).^[80] Norway also gave Baht 460,000 (US$11,067) to ADPC for Mine Risk Education projects.^[81] Norway reported to the UN that it provided $80,111 in 2001 and $375,000 in 1999 for mine action in Thailand.

In 2003, ADPC also received US$40,000 from UNICEF for its MRE program on the Thai-Burma border,^[82] and US$30,000 from Australia, Canada, Norway and UNICEF for the August 2003 regional seminar held in Bangkok.^[83]

Handicap International-Thailand received €200,000 (US$226,300)^[84] from ECHO to run the Burmese Refugee Minimal Self-reliance on Mine Action and Rehabilitation program in eight refugee camps in four provinces from May 2003-April 2004 and US$142,212 from the UNHCR to run the same program in eight refugee camps, in calendar year 2003.^[85] In addition, the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN and the Division of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand funded a comic book publication, “Letters from my Friend at the Border,” and an MRE workshop for school children conducted from September 2003 to February 2004 with a grant of US$6,325.

During 2003 the Prostheses Foundation of Thailand under Royal Patronage received local donations of Baht 18,000,000 (US$433,062).^[86] The Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees continued raising funds for a scholarship program for the children of the landmine survivors in Sa Kaeo province and in 2003 received donations of about Baht 600,000 (US$14,435) from Thai individuals and from the Kinder Mission Work Foundation in Germany.^[87]

Landmine Casualties

In 2003, TMAC’s Humanitarian Mine Action Units 1 and 3 recorded 29 new mine casualties (four killed and 25 injured) in Sa Kaeo, Surin, Buriram, and Sisaket provinces on the Thai-Cambodia border and Ubon Ratchathani province on the Thai-Laotian border.^[88] This represents an increase from 19 new mine casualties recorded by TMAC in 2002.^[89] Landmine Monitor identified another 17 casualties in other parts of the country in 2002, including three Cambodian nationals.^[90] There is still no comprehensive nationwide data collection mechanism and as of June 2004, the reporting system under which HMAUs collect casualty reports for entry into the IMSMA database at TMAC, was still not fully operational.

Casualties continue to be reported in 2004. In the first six months of the year, TMAC recorded 13 new mine casualties (two killed and 11 injured), including a member of Thailand's border demarcation team who injured his foot after stepping on an M14 landmine while detecting mines near the Thai-Laotian border market in Uttaradit province.^[91] An unspecified number of other soldiers received light injuries.^[92] Other reported casualties include an incident on 1 March 2004 in which two villagers were injured by a landmine in Sa Kaeo province. One lost a leg above the knee while the other suffered fractures in one arm.^[93] In June, in Narathiwat province near the Malaysian border, two landmines injured four policemen providing security for teachers during the civil unrest in the province.^[94]

The most comprehensive collection of casualty data remains the nationwide Landmine Impact Survey, concluded in May 2001.^[95] The survey recorded 346 “recent” casualties and an overall total of 3,468 casualties, of which 1,497 people were killed and 1,971 injured, indicating a much higher level of mine/UXO casualties than previous statistics.^[96] The majority of recorded incidents occurred in the Thai-Cambodia border region, which recorded 195 “recent” mine/UXO casualties. The majority of “recent” casualties were adult males (80 percent), while ten casualties were women and four were children under 14 years. The majority of casualties (50 percent) were farmers or laborers at the time of the incident, engaged in activities such as collecting food, water, wood or hunting/fishing (43 percent). Only 58 casualties (17 percent) were military personnel and 14 percent of the casualties were engaged in military activity at the time of the incident.^[97]

Stories of elephants injured by landmines continue to appear in the media. In February 2003, Mo Maelu, a 28-year-old elephant, injured her left front foot after stepping on a landmine near the border with Burma. She was treated at the Elephant Hospital in the Lampang province.^[98] According to the Friends of Asian Elephants Foundation at least ten elephants have been killed or injured by landmines.^[99] Nine of the 15 elephants at the Elephant Hospital in July 2004 were mine casualties. One of the most widely reported cases was that of Motala, an elephant working in a forest near the western border in Tak province who stepped on a landmine in 1999.^[100]

Survivor Assistance

Medical and rehabilitation services in Thailand are available in both state and privately owned hospitals and healthcare units, functioning at the provincial, district, and community levels. However, Thailand reportedly has a shortage of medical and health personnel in rural areas. While facilities with first aid are offered at all district and village levels, patients who have severe injuries and are in need of surgical care are referred to a higher level and better-equipped institution. Psychological and social support is generally not available. Some border provincial hospitals have specialized doctors and rehabilitation units and the capacity to provide prosthetics and assistive devices.^[101]

Generally, assistance available to landmine survivors is adequate; however, most incidents involve poor marginalized farming families who experience difficulties coping with the costs of care and rehabilitation. Mine survivors are mostly supported by their own families and communities.

The Landmine Impact Survey reported that of 279 “recent” casualties not killed immediately by their injuries, 134 received emergency medical care (48 percent) and 13 received rehabilitation (5 percent), while 14 survivors received no care (5 percent). No survivors reported receiving vocational training.^[102]

Since 1999, TMAC has included mine victim assistance in its mine action program. Victim assistance is coordinated with the Ministry of Public Health (for emergency care), the Ministry of the Interior (for rehabilitation), the Ministry of Labor (vocational training), and NGOs.^[103] In 2003, TMAC assisted 25 landmine survivors in the Thai-Cambodian border provinces by providing equipment (but no grants) for survivors to engage in hairdressing and dressmaking activities;^[104] 17 were assisted in 2002, and 335 in 2001.^[105] In 2003, TMAC conducted two training courses on mine victim assistance and MRE in northeastern Thailand. In Surin province 96 people were trained and another 98 people were trained in Sisaket province.^[106]

Landmine Monitor received 30 responses to survivor assistance questionnaires sent in early 2004 to 68 district and regional hospitals, and other relevant organizations in mine-affected areas. Only a few hospitals were able to provide figures on the number of mine survivors treated, due to the lack of a specific landmine casualty data collection system. Eighteen public hospitals, rehabilitation centers and NGOs reported treating 582 landmine survivors in 2003, providing medical care and mobility aids.^[107]

In 2003, the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Center produced 2,350 artificial limbs and distributed 1,354, significantly more than the 314 provided in 2002. The center also distributed 1,289 wheelchairs and 970 crutches. During 20-22 August 2003, the center provided a special mobile prosthetic service on the occasion of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 4^th cycle birthday (48 years) in Ubon Ratchathani province at the Thai-Laotian border. The majority of the 162 beneficiaries were landmine survivors but no specific record of the cause of injury was made.^[108]

The Prosthetic Foundation, under the royal patronage of the late Princess Mother Sri Nagarindhra, continued to provide mobile prosthetic services in remote provinces in 2003: 62 landmine survivors benefited from the five mobile services in Phang-nga, Bangkok, Chanthaburi, Roi-et and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. The number of free prostheses and crutches provided in 2003 is not available due to loss of computer data.^[109] In 2002, the foundation provided 1,155 free prostheses and 506 crutches to 1,043 beneficiaries, including 209 landmine survivors; in 2001, 1,140 beneficiaries, including 211 mine survivors, received 1,746 free prostheses.^[110] Over the last ten years, the foundation produced almost 10,500 prostheses. By using local materials, prostheses designed for local weather conditions and practices, are produced for a considerably cheaper cost than imported versions.^[111] In May 2003, the Prosthetic Foundation opened its new office, training center and workshop employing 12 technicians in Chiang Mai province. Training on the production of above-knee prostheses began in June 2003.^[112] In 2004, the program plans to establish five mobile units in four different Thai provinces, Nakorn Pathom, Trang, Nan and Prachinburi, as well as in Tachilek district in Burma.^[113]

Handicap International has opened 15 orthopedic workshops in Thai provincial hospitals since 1982 and has operated community-based rehabilitation programs and four orthopedic workshops in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border since 1985 to assist all persons with disabilities including landmine survivors. HI also distributes wheelchairs and provides vocational training and capacity of organizations assisting persons with disabilities. The HI Cambodian Border Program in Chanthaburi province supported the training of mine survivors as technicians, and the setting up of a workshop for fitting and repairing prosthetics in two sub-districts of Thep Nimit and Khlong Yai in Pongnamron district.^[114] In 2003, HI trained eleven refugee workers in prosthetics and carpentry, and assisted 450 people with a disability, including fitting 254 mine survivors with prostheses, 99 of whom were new amputees, and repaired 509 prostheses;^[115] 137 prostheses were fitted in 2002, and 119 in 2001.^[116] HI also provided more than 300 landmine survivors with socio-economic integration activities in the refugee camps in 2003, including campaigning, recreational activities and vocational training.^[117]

In 2003, 315 children of mine survivors participated in a scholarship program in the Sa Kaeo province, established by the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees in December 2001; about 200 benefited in 2002, and 179 in 2001. The scholarship program assists with the cost of school and sports uniforms, stationery, expenses for special activities/field trips, and in some cases, house repairs and transport. Six mine survivors also received wheelchairs in 2003.^[118]

In 2003, the Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand distributed 300 wheelchairs, 20 crutches and 10 sets of supplementary accessories to persons with disabilities in remote provinces of Thailand; 30 beneficiaries were landmine survivors.^[119]

The Foundation of Artificial Limbs at Phra Mongkut Klao Hospital in Bangkok, and the Royal Thai Army, plan to provide artificial limbs for amputees in the rural areas by organizing mobile services during the years 2004-2005. The first program, held in March 2004 in Tak province, distributed 168 prostheses. Other areas included in the plan are Khon Kaen and Kamphaengphet provinces.^[120]

In 2003, the Thai Soroptimist International chapter of Dusit, a women's service organization, provided eleven daughters of landmine survivors in Surin and Sa Kaeo with a total grant of Baht 33,000 (US$840) for their secondary school education in an initiative that started January 2002; ten girls received support in 2002. In 2004, support will be expanded to the daughters of landmine survivors in Chanthaburi province.^[121]

In 2002, the TCBL conducted a one-year project in the Surin and Buriram provinces, which included community-based survivor assistance, empowerment, mine awareness, and the setting up of a small revolving loan fund. About 50 families were assisted. The landmine survivor database, which should complement the TMAC national incident database, has not been established due to the lack of appropriate staff. The TCBL collected data on 120 landmine survivors; however, the information needs further verification.^[122]

Landmine survivors from Burma seeking assistance in Thailand receive medical care from hospitals in refugee camps and public district hospitals in the Thai-Burma border provinces, including Tak, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi. Since 2000, the Mae Sot Hospital in Tak province has admitted at least 316 Burmese landmine casualties: 63 in 2003;^[123] 103 in 2002; 84 in 2001; and 66 in 2000.^[124] In 2002, the ICRC established a War Wounded Program with three NGO partners: AMI, IRC and MHD; all have emergency clinics in refugee camps. Under this program, the ICRC subsidizes the cost of care in hospitals in Thailand for war-wounded.^[125]

Burmese landmine survivors in Thailand must be accepted into an organized refugee camp before they are eligible for the official assistance offered by international organizations. Since April 2001, the Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand, which specializes in assisting Burmese migrants, has run a prosthetics ward, provided limited emergency medical assistance, and arranged for surgery at Mae Sot hospital. In 2003, the clinic provided 137 prostheses (82 percent for mine survivors), and in 2002, 150 (74 percent for mine survivors).^[126] Three ethnic Shan landmine amputees completed a one-year apprenticeship program from March 2002 to March 2003 in the Mae Tao Clinic prosthetic workshop, and are now in the Shan State area to fit amputees with prosthetic limbs. The Mae Tao prosthetics program received support from Help Without Frontiers (Italy) in 2003, and Clear Path International and Bainbridge Island Rotary Club in 2002.^[127] The clinic also runs a vocational training program in sewing for persons with disabilities; three of the instructors are landmine survivors. In August 2003, Clear Path International also supported the establishment of a prosthetic workshop at Pieng Luang sub district, Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai province. The workshop is run by a landmine survivor; 43 of the 44 beneficiaries are landmine survivors from Shan State in Burma.^[128]

HI-Thailand conducted a “Strengthening Comprehensive Mine Victim Assistance in Thailand” Project from July to October 2002. A major component of the project was a national seminar on “A Comprehensive Mine Victim Assistance Model (Chanthaburi Experience),” held in Bangkok on 17 October 2002; 90 representatives from government and non-governmental organizations and landmine survivors participated. A comprehensive model for victim assistance was designed and proposed to policy makers in the ministries concerned. The project was financed in part with a fund provided to TMAC by the government of Japan through the UNDP in 2001.^[129] The project was carried out in line with recommendations from the Regional Conference on Victim Assistance held in Bangkok in November 2001.

Thailand has not completed a national plan of action for mine survivor assistance as recommended at the regional conference.

Thailand submitted a voluntary Form J attachment to its recent Article 7 report with information on their activities in support of mine survivors in 2002 and 2003.

In September 2004, Thailand's Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai announced plans to build a global center for the rehabilitation of landmine survivors, with funding provided by the World Bank.  The planned center would provide physical rehabilitation, psychological support and vocational training to assist in the socio-economic reintegration of survivors into their communities.^[130]

Disability Policy and Practice

Landmine survivors are considered under the “Laws on Rehabilitation of Thai Disabled Persons, 1991,” enacted in 1994, which entitles them “to receive services pertaining to welfare, development and rehabilitation.”^[131] However, many survivors are rejected as not fulfilling the strict Thai legal description of a disabled person. The law also stipulates that disabled persons are entitled to “vocational counseling and advice as well as vocational training suitable to their physical condition and existing ability to perform the occupation.” However, due to economic conditions and budget restraints, many funding conditions of the law have not yet been realized. Implementation has been inconsistent. The Minister of Labor and Social Welfare heads the National Committee for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons.^[132]

In January 2004, the Public Relations Department of the Royal Thai Government established a “Public Relations Strategic Working Group for Disabled Persons” to devise a strategic plan for persons with disabilities.^[133]

In 2003, Bangkok was the venue for a number of regional meetings to promote the draft international convention on the rights of persons with disabilities including an expert meeting from 2-4 June 2003; a regional workshop from 14-17 October 2003; and two workshops for women with disabilities sponsored by the UN Economic and Social Commission in Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and held on 18-22 August 2003 and 13 October 2003.^[134]

From 24 February-11 March 2003, the government, UNESCAP and the Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability held a regional workshop for trainers working with people with disabilities to help improve access within UNESCAP developing countries.

In April 2003, TMAC and the TCBL organized a bicycle rally from Bangkok to Lopburi province, a distance of about 160 kilometers; 35 mine survivors participated.^[135]

On 23 November 2003, the Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand with support from TCBL and other disability organizations organized the 9^th Bangkok City Handi-Marathon at Rodfai Park. Over 350 people with disabilities from across the country, including 22 landmine survivors from Chanthaburi, Buriram, Sa Kaeo and Surin provinces, participated in the day’s events, which included athletic races, contests and rallies, posters and publicity, music and songs.^[136]

In May 2002, the national committee in charge of monitoring and coordinating healthcare policies for disabled people appointed the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Center as the main coordinating organization for the medical care of people with disabilities.^[137]

In November 2002, the Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (APD) was registered as a non-profit organization in the Pathumthani province. The APD supports action on behalf of people with physical disabilities. Other objectives include the promotion of education, occupation, rehabilitation and coordination of activities for the disabled in rural and urban areas. The APD also raises public awareness on disability issues and coordinates with other disability associations at a provincial and national level.^[138]

Four Thai landmine survivors participated in the Raising the Voices program held during the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February 2003 in Geneva and the Fifth Meeting of States Parties held in September 2003 in Bangkok. The four survivors assisted with the update on landmine casualties and survivor assistance programs for this Landmine Monitor report.

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[1] Article 7 Report, Form A, 3 May 2004. Among implementation measures it lists: “The Office of the Prime Minister Regulations Governing the Implementation of the Convention. B.E. 2545 (2002)” and also “The Office of the Prime Minister Regulations Governing the Receipt, Keeping and Sending of Aid Monies or Aid Goods Given for the Purpose of Conducting Activities Concerning Mines. B.E. 2545 (2002).” These were listed as “draft” last year. See Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 458.
[2] Telephone interview with Col. Terra Saipradist, Deputy Director of Thailand Mine Action Center, 7 September 2004.
[3] Interview with Sarun Charoensuwan, Director of Peace, Security and Disarmament Division, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok, 18 February 2004.
[4] Closing Remarks of Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok, 19 September 2003.
[5] Interview with Sarun Charoensuwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 February 2004.
[6] Previous Article 7 reports were submitted on: 22 July 2003 (for calendar year 2002), 30 April 2002 (for calendar year 2001), 2 May 2000 (for the period 1 November 2000 – 31 January 2001), and 10 November 1999 (for the period 1 May 1999 – 30 October 1999).
[7] Interview with Sarun Charoensuwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 February 2004.
[8] The members are the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees, Council of Disabled Peoples in Thailand, Disabled Peoples’ International Asia-Pacific Region, General Chatichai Choonhavan Foundation, HI-Thailand, JRS Asia Pacific, NVI-Southeast Asia, and Prostheses Foundation of Thailand under the Patronage of the Princess Mother.
[9] TCBL, “4th Anniversary of Ottawa Treaty,” 15 April 2003; TCBL, “Bicyclists in ban landmines campaign,” 25 April 2003.
[10] A number of sources have identified Thailand as a past producer. For details see Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 376.
[11] Telephone interview with Col. Surapon Suwanawong, Assistant Director, TMAC, Bangkok, 26 March 2002.
[12] This list is based on the types of mines in stock that Thailand later destroyed.
[13] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 484.
[14] Telephone interview with Police Maj. Charoen Thammakhan, Chief Investigator in charge of the case, Songkhla District Police Station, Songkhla province, 9 February 2004. See also, Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 459.
[15] See Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 460, and Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 484. The allegations were made by the rebel groups in interviews in November 2001.
[16] See Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 460.
[17] Interviews with officials at the Thai Foreign Ministry; Wassana Nanuam, “Wa took hill to protect drug plants,” Bangkok Post, 12 May 2001.
[18] Types of antipersonnel mines in stockpile included M2, M2A4B2, M4, M14, M16, M16A1, M26, Type 66, Type 69, Type 72, PAM2, VAR 40, VS50, and PMN. Article 7 Report, Form B, 17 April 2001.
[19] Exchange rate: US$1 = Baht41.564 used throughout. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (annual),” 5 January 2004.
[20] The total included Baht 646,878 (US$15,563) from the TMAC budget and Baht 2,575,079 (US$61,954) from the Armed Forces budget. Fax from Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, Director General, TMAC, Bangkok, 24 May 2004. See also, Response to Landmine Monitor by TMAC, 24 January 2003.
[21] TMAC requested the reduction in a letter to the Supreme Command, JOC, 9 November 2000. Thailand’s 1999 Article 7 report had originally indicated that 15,604 mines would be retained, but that figure included 6,117 Claymore mines. Thailand noted that its decision came after concerns were raised in previous Standing Committee meetings that the number was too high. Intervention by Thailand, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 7 December 2000.
[22] Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 460; Article 7 Report, 30 April 2003; Presentation by Maj. Gen Gitti Suksomstarn, TMAC, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 16 May 2003.
[23] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, Director General, and Col. Teera Saipradist, Deputy Director, TMAC, Bangkok, 24 February 2004.
[24] Article 7 Report, Form B, 10 November 1999.
[25] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol and Col. Teera Saipradist, TMAC, 24 February 2004.
[26] Mines were turned in at least four provinces (Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Trang and Ranong). “Summary results of handed in weapons and explosives between 17 October-15 December,” Matichon Daily, 17 December 2003, p. 13; “Several types of explosives found discarded in front of Khon Kaen Muang district hall,” The Manager (online news source manager.co.th), 23 November 2003; “Explosive confiscated in Trang,” Government Public Relations Department official website (prd.go.th), 27 November 2003; “Yasothorn police found M-26 explosive hidden in traveling bag,” The Manager, 30 November 2003; “Illegal weapon surrendered to Ranong officials as deadline draws near,” Government Public Relations Department, 11 December 2003 (in Thai language).
[27] “Numerous explosives and war weapons found in Khorat provincial center,” The Manager, 19 December 2003; “Weapons and explosives found in Udonthani,” Thai Government website, 19 December 2003; “M26 explosive found at Chao Phraya river bank in Samut Prakarn,” The Manager, 2 February 2004.
[28] “Landmine Impact Survey: Kingdom of Thailand.” This was certified by the United Nations Certification Committee, completed in May 2001, first released in mid-2002, then in October 2002 in Thailand. A summary of the LIS is contained in Thailand’s Article 7 report, Form C, 30 April 2003. For more details on the survey and the landmine problem, see Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 486-487.
[29] Thai armed forces conducted a survey in 1998, which found that 796 square kilometers in all border areas were mined. See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 378.
[30] See Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 461.
[31] Ibid. The LIS was conducted by Norwegian People's Aid, under contract to the Survey Action Center, and TMAC.
[32] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 26 April 2004; Statement by Suthikiet Sopanik, Director, GCCF, TCBL meeting, 27 February 2004.
[33] Presentation by Col. Khongphant Menaganga, Assistant to the Director General, TMAC, Humanitarian Mine/UXO Clearance Workshop, Kunming, China, 26 April 2004.
[34] Statement by Maj. Gen. Gitti Suksomstarn, TMAC, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 14 May 2003.
[35] Interview with Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, Deputy Prime Minister, Bangkok, 24 February 2004.
[36] Message from Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, President of the Fifth Meeting of the States Parties, on the occasion of the International Symposium “National Structures against Mines,” Paris, 12-13 March 2004.
[37] Statement to the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 21 June 2004.
[38] Progress Report TMAC/UNDP Project TH/99/008, 20 August – 31 December 2001.
[39] Presentation by Col. Khongphant Menaganga, Assistant to the Director General of TMAC, Humanitarian Mine/UXO Clearance Workshop, Kunming, China, 26 April 2004. As IMSMA version 3.0 is already used in other countries, TMAC has to upgrade its plans to bring its database in line with other mine action databases.
[40] Presentation by Col. Khongphant Menaganga, Assistant to the Director General of TMAC, Humanitarian Mine/UXO Clearance Workshop, Kunming, China, 26 April 2004.
[41] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004.
[42] Email from Wajanai Snidvongs na Ayuthia, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 April 2004.
[43] Statement by Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, Director General, TMAC, briefing for the Joint United States Military Advisory Group, Bangkok, 19 February 2004; interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004.
[44] See Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 462. Prime Minister’s Office, Order No. 195/2545, on “Appointment of the National Mine Action Committee,” 28 June 2002.
[45] Interview with Sarun Charoensuwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 February 2004; interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004; telephone interview with Col. Teera Saipradist, TMAC, 21 April 2004.
[46] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004.
[47] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 26 April 2004.
[48] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004 and 26 April 2004.
[49] The two organizations funded, equipped and provided support for civilian deminers trained by TMAC. They cleared the Sadok Kok Thom Temple site. JAHDS will undertake additional clearance in 2004, GGCF will not.
[50] TMAC, “Summary of Humanitarian Mine Action in Thailand Of Year 2002 – 2003,” available at www.tmac.go.th/mineclearance/clearance2000-2003.htm , accessed 12 October 2004.
[51] Invitation letter, Acknowledgement from Princess Galyani Vadhna Krom Laung Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra and speeches by Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, Director General of TMAC, Sen. Kraisak Choonhavan, GCCF Chairman, and Japanese Amb. Atsushi Tokinoya, Sa Kaeo province, 23 January 2004.
[52] Responses to LM Questionnaire by: Wataru Sugaya, JAHDS, 24 February 2004; Suthikiet Sopanik, GCCF, 23 February 2004.
[53] Invitation letter dated 19 November 2003, and TMAC HMAU1 Report distributed on 26 November 2003 at an inspection and clearance verification.
[54] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 26 April 2004.
[55] Maj. Surin Priyanuphap, HMAU1 personnel, Presentation on HMAU1, at the Hand-over Ceremony of PROMAC (BDM-48) and Explosives, Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, Sa Kaeo Province, 23 January 2002; “Army Arsenal Explosion-Town in fear of more blasts,” The Nation, 26 October 2001; “Munitions Explosions-Old explosives self-ignited, army concludes,” Bangkok Post, 29 October 2001; TMAC, “Details of TMAC’s Efforts Assisting at Nong Sarai, Pak Chong district, Nakorn Ratchasima province,” TMAC Newsletter, November 2001; “APL Stockpiling and Destruction in Thailand,” Statement by Gen. Gitti Suksomstarn, Geneva, 30 May 2002.
[56] Email from David McCracken, Advisor TMAC, 12 March 2002.
[57] Response from Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004.
[58] Ibid.
[59] Article 7 Report, Form I, 17 April 2001.
[60] TMAC response to LM questions, received on 24 January 2003. TMAC has previously reported reaching 92,246 people in 2001 and 45,273 people in 2002.
[61] Response to LM Questionnaire by TMAC, received 18 February 2004.
[62] Response to LM Questionnaire by Sirikarn Kahattha, Government Relations Officer, ADPC, Pathumthani province, 17 February 2004.
[63] Email from Atiwan Kunaphinun, ADPC, 4 February 2004.
[64] Response to LM Questionnaire by ADPC, 17 February 2004.
[65] Handicap International Thailand, “Draft Annual Report 2003,” May 2004.
[66] Response by Sushira Chonhenchob, Disability and Development Manager, HI Thailand, Bangkok, 8 February 2004.
[67] Presentation by Wanatchaporn Paesukchuen, Mine Risk Education Technical Advisor, HI Thailand, TCBL meeting, 27 February 2004.
[68] HI, “Draft Annual Report 2003.”
[69] See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 491.
[70] Response from Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004.
[71] Interview with Sarun Charoensuwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 February 2004.
[72] Interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004. The initial Supreme Command allocation of Baht 5.5 million to TMAC was supplemented with an additional Baht 1.4 million. The Deputy Prime Minister had pledged Baht 500,000 for the event. TMAC, Summary of the Report of the First Meeting of the National Mine Action Committee, at the National Security Council, Bangkok, 18 December 2002.
[73] Email from Maj. Scott Elder, JUSMAG, Bangkok, 9 February 2004.
[74] US Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” September 2002, p. 30.
[75] Fax from TMAC, 27 June 2001.
[76] Mine Action Investments Database, available at www.mineactioninvestments.org , accessed 12 October 2004.
[77] JAHDS used the funds for the Sadok Kok Thom Temple Landmine Clearance project, which was implemented in cooperation with TMAC and GCCF's civilian demining team. The project had a budget of US$1.39 million. GCCF provided 50 deminers and covered operational expenses of about Baht 800,000 (US$19,247) for 2003. Response to LM Questionnaire by Suthikiet Sopanik, Director, GCCF, 23 February 2004; telephone interview with Suthikiet Sopanik, GCCF, 25 February 2004.
[78] Mine Action Investments Database.
[79] TMAC/UNDP Project Steering Committee report by Maj. Gen. Gitti Suksomstarn, TMAC, 15 January 2003.
[80] Letter from Merete Fjeld Brattested, Deputy Director General, Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway, 21 March 2003; interview with May-Elin Stener, Advisor, Department of Humanitarian Aid, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2004. Exchange rate US$1 = NOK7.0819, US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (annual),” 5 January 2004.
[81] Response by Sirikarn Kahattha, Government Relations Coordinator, ADPC, 17 February 2004; telephone clarification on 1 March 2004.
[82] Telephone interview with Sirikarn Kahattha, ADPC, 14 May 2004.
[83] Response by Sirikarn Kahattha, ADPC, 17 February 2004; telephone clarification on 1 March 2004.
[84] Exchange rate €1 = US$1.1315
[85] Response by Sushira Chonhenchob, Disability and Development Manager, Handicap International-Thailand, Bangkok, 8 February 2004.
[86] Fax from Chitra Charoensub, Administrative Officer, Prostheses Foundation of Thailand, Chiang Mai province, 9 February 2004; telephone interview, 13 February 2004.
[87] Telephone Interview with Charatkorn Mankhatitham, Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees, Bangkok, 12 February 2004.
[88] Response from Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004; see also TMAC, “Summary of Humanitarian Mine Action in Thailand.”
[89] TMAC, “Summary of Humanitarian Mine Action in Thailand.”
[90] For details see Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 466.
[91] TMAC, “Summary of Humanitarian Mine Action in Thailand.”
[92] “Soldier stepped on landmine at Thai-Laotian border,” Matichon Daily, 29 January 2004, p. 5.
[93] Information provided by Supan Kota and Somkiat Chua-sing, landmine survivors in Sa Kaeo province, 16 March 2004.
[94] “Violence in the South,” Bangkok Post, 25 June 2004.
[95] In 2000, TMAC reported a total of 1,849 mine casualties between 1969 and 1999, including 56 people killed. TMAC/JOC 107, “The Master Plan Summary on Humanitarian Mine Action of Thailand in 5-year Periods, No. 1 2000-2004,” Bangkok, 2000, pp. 21-22. The differences in statistics can be attributed to several factors including: under-reporting, as many casualties never reach the hospitals and are therefore not registered; record-keeping by government ministries cannot reach as deep into all communities at village-level as the Landmine Impact Survey was able to; and a lack of resources.
[96] “Landmine Impact Survey: Thailand,” p. 18. Recent victims are defined as casualties from the 24 months preceding the date the incident was reported to survey teams. The survey team visits started in September 2000 and were completed in April 2001 so the period for the 346 “recent” victims is approximately from September 1998 to April 2001. The 3,122 victims of less recent date are those killed or injured more than 24 months prior to the incidents being reported to survey teams.
[97] Ibid, pp. 23-24. For more details see Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 489.
[98] “Walking wounded,” Photo with Caption, The Nation, 18 February 2003, p. 4A.
[99] “Demine these underground dangerous menaces–Landmines!” Daily News, 6 February 2001, pp. 1, 3.
[100] Somsak Suksai, “Motala now fully recovered,” Bangkok Post, 22 July 2004.
[101] For more details see HI, Landmine Victim Assistance: World Report 2002, pp. 244-247.
[102] “Landmine Impact Survey: Thailand,” p. 24.
[103] Intervention by Thailand, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 23 June 2004.
[104] Telephone interview with Col. Teera Saipradist, TMAC, 21 April 2004; responses to questionnaire from TMAC, received 18 February 2004. TMAC received donations from private citizens and support from the Ministry of Defense for this work.
[105] TMAC, Monthly Activity Reports, January-December 2002; and statistics collated from various information provided by TMAC for the Landmine Monitor Report 2002.
[106] Interview with Sarun Charoensuwan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 February 2004; interview with Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, TMAC, 24 February 2004; fax from Maj. Gen. Tumrongsak Deemongkol, 24 May 2004.
[107] Response to LM questionnaires from 30 district hospitals, rehabilitation centers and NGOs in Thailand, between January and February 2004; HI-Thailand Program, “Annual Report 2003,” Bangkok, June 2004.
[108] Responses to LM Questionnaire from Patcharin Kasibutr, Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Center, Nonthaburi province, 11 February 2004; response to LM Questionnaire by Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Center, 28 January 2003.
[109] Fax from Prosthetic Foundation, Chiang Mai, 1 March 2004.
[110] Response to LM Questionnaire by Wikanda Phitak, Public Relations Officer, Prosthetic Foundation, Chiang Mai Province, 24 February 2003; response to LM Questionnaire by Associate Professor Therdchai Jivacate, MD, Director General, Prosthetic Foundation, Chiang Mai Province, 7 January 2002.
[111] Saritdet Marukatat and Woranuj Maneerungsee, “Ready for a leap - Innovative, inexpensive, locally-produced artificial legs may be set to step into the global marketplace,” Bangkok Post Outlook, 20 March 2002.
[112] Telephone interview with Associate Professor Therdchai Jivacate, MD, Secretary-General, Prosthetic Foundation, Chiang Mai Province, 17 March 2003.
[113] Fax from Prostheses Foundation, 1 March 2004.
[114] Interview with Chusak Sae-Lee, landmine survivor and technician, trained by HI, Pongnamron, Chanthaburi province, 27 February 2003; fax from HI Chanthaburi, 8 January 2003.
[115] HI-Thailand, “Annual Report 2003,” June 2004, p. 12.
[116] Email from HI-Thailand, 6 May 2003; response to LM Questionnaire by Supotch Boontem, HI, Chanthaburi, 18 March 2002.
[117] HI-Thailand, “Annual Report 2003,” June 2004, p. 12. The report indicated that some of these activities are run by other NGOs.
[118] Telephone interviews with Charatkorn Mankatitham, COERR, Bangkok, 12 February and 13 May 2004; Response to LM Questionnaire, Sukpranee Deerada, Field Office, COERR, Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, 28 January 2004; telephone interview with Charatkorn Mankhatitham, COERR, Bangkok, 18 March 2003; response to Landmine Monitor questionnaire by Sukpranee Deerada, COERR, Aranyaprathet District, 28 December 2001.
[119] Response to LM Questionnaire from Maj. Sirichai Sapsiri, President, Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand, Nonthaburi province, 7 January 2004.
[120] Telephone interview with Dr. Fusathe Jongfeungprinya, Department of Orthopedics, Phra Mongkut Klao Hospital, Bangkok, 18 June 2004; report by Major Sirichai Sapsiri, President, Association of Persons with Physical Disability, at a TCBL Meeting, ADPC Office, Pathumthani province, 19 December 2003.
[121] Report by Siriphen Limsirikul, Country Director, JRS Thailand, Bangkok, 20 May 2004.
[122] TCBL, “Summary End of Project Report to Canada Fund,” 23 December 2002.
[123] Fax from Sushira Chonhenchob, Disability and Development Manager, HI-Thailand, 1 March 2004.
[124] Mae Sot Hospital data supplied to HI. Discrepancies exist with current statistics and data provided to Landmine Monitor in previous years.
[125] Letters from ICRC Regional Delegation, 27 February and 19 April 2004; interview with Marcus Geisser, ICRC Delegate, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 31 December 2002.
[126] Mae Tao Clinic Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Department, “Annual Activity Report 2003;” interview with Dr. Cynthia Maung, Director, Mae Tao Clinic, Mae Sot, 21 March 2003.
[127] Meetings with Dr. Cynthia Maung, Mae Tao Clinic, 20 May 2004 and 21 March 2003.
[128] Interview with Program Coordinator, Pieng Luang sub-district, Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai, 22 January 2004.
[129] HI-Thailand, Summary Report on “Strengthening Comprehensive Mine Victim Assistance in Thailand,” 27 February 2003.
[130] "Thailand plans to be a global rehabilitation center for landmine victims," Thai News Service, 22 September 2004.
[131] Laws on Rehabilitation of Thai Disabled Persons, 1991, Article 15 Sections 1 and 3, Article 17 Sections 1 and 2, Article 18.
[132] HI, “World Report 2002,” Lyon, December 2002, p. 246.
[133] Thailand Disabled Development Foundation, Newsletter, January 2004, p. 9.
[134] For details see www.worldenable.net/bangkok2003; see also www.worldenable.net/beijing2003, accessed 28 February 2004.
[135] Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2004.
[136] Thailand Disabled Development Foundation Newsletter, December 2003, p. 6; ICBL Landmine Update #12, February 2004, p. 6.
[137] Council of Disabled People of Thailand, Newsletter, July-August 2002, p.12.
[138] Letter from Maj. Sirichai Sapsiri, President, APD, 21 January 2003.