The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) issued an October 5 clarification notice regarding its latest demining operation. It explained that the project, which will cover more than 41 square kilometres of contaminated land, will target villages, communes and districts inside Cambodia — not along or near the Cambodia–Thailand border. The project, they affirmed, is solely for the benefit of the Cambodian people.
The project, handed over by the Cambodian government to the Royal Cambodian Army, National Center for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and ERW Clearance (NPMEC) and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) on October 2, will take place in provinces bordering Thailand, but only in areas are within Cambodia, not in, or adjacent to, border dispute zones with Thailand.
“This project is part of a long-term government plan and has absolutely nothing to do with any request from the Thai side, nor is it related to any ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand,” it stated.
The project supports Prime Minister Hun Manet’s goals of securing safe land, restoring hope, rebuilding communities and upholding the dignity of the Cambodian people for a better future.
The CMAA also expressed gratitude and respect for the strong patriotic spirit of the Cambodian people.
Last week, on October 2, the CMAA signed a landmine clearance agreement with the Royal Cambodian Army, the National Peacekeeping Centre and CMAC to clear 453 minefields covering 41,796,263 square metres.
With $5 million in funding from the “Cambodia Mine-Free 2025 Fund”, operations will take place in Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Siem Reap, Battambang, Preah Vihear and Pursat provinces.
Following media coverage of the project, some citizens expressed confusion and criticism, mistakenly believing the clearance was requested by Thailand or could facilitate Thai military incursions into Cambodian territory due to easier access.
