Thailand and the United States have opened a new Center of Excellence on Humanitarian Demining Missions in Ratchaburi. The Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), working with the US Department of Defense, will use the facility to train Thai and international teams in landmine clearance.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior military leaders from both nations. It also featured the delivery of a new demining vehicle—the GCS-200—from the US to TMAC.
New Center Opened
- TMAC’s new training center will improve demining operations and serve as a regional hub for landmine clearance.
US-Thai Defense Cooperation
- The project strengthens a long-standing partnership between the US and Thailand on humanitarian and security efforts.
Training Support
- US Marines from Okinawa provided hands-on training to Thai forces on how to operate the GCS-200 demining machine.
Equipment and Upgrades
Since 2012, the US has provided:
- MineWolf demining machines
- RAMBO armored utility vehicles
- JCB Chase skid steers
- Wolverine vegetation cutters
- Minelab mine detectors and medical tools
- A mine detector training zone and 3D printing gear for field repairs
Ongoing Investment
- The US continues to fund infrastructure upgrades to expand TMAC’s capacity and capabilities.
Lt. Col. Johnny Kieu said the new center “is more than a facility—it’s a symbol of our shared commitment to a safer future.”
Beyond training, the goal is to return safe land to communities, reduce risk to civilians, and promote local development.
This center will support both humanitarian missions and US Marine readiness through real-world demining experience.
