The opening ceremony was attended by senior military leaders from both nations, including General Ukris Boontanonhdha, Deputy Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces; General Saksit Sangchanintra, Director of TMAC; Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Kieu, Director of Joint Operations at JUSMAGTHAI (Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group Thailand); and Lieutenant Colonel Tibayan Isaac, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

To mark the occasion, the U.S. Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program delivered a GCS-200 demining machine to TMAC, timed to coincide with the Center’s formal launch. U.S. Marines from the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, based in Okinawa, Japan, will assist the Center’s training on the equipment from May 18-30, 2025. 

The new training hub will serve as the primary venue for TMAC-led and U.S.-supported training of Thai forces and landmine removal teams under the Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) Humanitarian Mine Action Program. TMAC also plans to expand the facility’s mission to train international mine action organizations.

Since 2012, U.S. Marines under the MARFORPAC program have provided comprehensive training to TMAC personnel, covering detection, demining, and landmine casualty care. Over the years, HD R&D also enhanced TMAC’s capabilities by contributing equipment such as MineWolf mechanical demining systems; RAMBO armored utility vehicle; armored JCB Chase Skid Steer; survivable tractors and tool attachments; wolverine vegetation cutting system; mine detector training area (co-developed with MARFORPAC); in-country mine detector testing; mine detectors; 3D printing technology; and a mine detector repair lab.

The newest contributions include Minelab mine detectors; medical and demining training tools; and financial support for infrastructure upgrades to expand training capacity. These contributions establish the Center as a leading facility for Thailand and the broader region.

The partnership between TMAC and the U.S. Department of Defense aligns with the Order of the Prime Minister’s Office No. 151/2541, which mandates national demining capacity and mine risk education. Thailand’s leadership in humanitarian mine action, driven by TMAC’s commitment, sets a regional standard. The program also enhances U.S. Marine operational readiness through real-world demining training, strengthening bilateral interoperability.

“This center is more than a facility—it is a symbol of our shared commitment to a safer future,” said Lt. Col. Johnny Kieu. “Through sustained cooperation, we are advancing Thailand’s national security and humanitarian goals while promoting regional stability.”

Clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war makes communities safer and returns land to productive use. The Center of Excellence offers a forward-looking solution – rooted in innovation, partnership, and shared responsibility.