Thai PBS Verify found this post from: Facebook
The Facebook account image claiming the United States sent the DOK-ING mine defusal machine to Thailand for mine defusing operations in Sa Kaeo.
Thai PBS Verify found a Facebook page named “Kaset Nana(เกษตร นานา)” that shared a graphic image containing the message: “Hun Sen is taken aback cause the US came itself. The US sent DOK-ING to Thailand to clear mines placed by Cambodia in Sa Kaeo,” overlaid on a photo of Samdech Hun Sen and a mine defusal vehicle. Accompanying the graphic was a caption claiming that the Royal Thai Army launched a mine defusal operation in the Thai–Cambodia border area in Sa Kaeo province after new landmines were reportedly found in the area. This operation was allegedly supported with equipment from the U.S. via JUSMAGTHAI, which sent the DOK-ING MV4 unmanned mine defusal vehicle to assist. The caption further claimed that on October 11, the Thailand Mine Action Center (TAEC) deployed machinery to clear mines in Nong Ya Kaeo Village.
The said post was published on October 13, 2025, receiving 2,600 reactions, 118 comments, and over 164 shares. Most of the comments indicated they believed that the machine was actually sent to Thailand by the U.S.
In addition to the image and message post, the page was also found to provide further details regarding Thailand’s receipt of the mine defusal equipment from the U.S. in the form of a comment beneath the post. This comment cited a news source from a YouTube clip titled “Cambodia Stunned, the US moved: The US Sent DOK-ING for Thailand to Clear Mines in Nong Chan” (เขมรเงิบ เจอสหรัฐมาเอง ส่งDOK-INGให้ไทยลุยทุ่นในหนองจาน) from the YouTube channel “SNIPER NEWs”.
The image of the comment referred to the source of the post’s message.
Thai PBS Verify checked the Facebook account “เกษตร นานา” and found that it has 980,000 followers, was created on October 16, 2012, in Thailand, and its content largely focuses on agriculture and the Thai–Cambodia border conflict situation.
Verification of the Cited Source
Thai PBS Verify checked the YouTube channel “SNIPER NEWs,” which was cited as the source. It was found that the YouTube account owner’s name is Niran Boonnaruethee, with 1.27 million followers. The channel description states that it presents news on politics, military affairs, and technology, and has other social media channels including “Caboy Reports News” (คาบอย เล่าข่าว), “Sniper News” (สไนเปอร์นิวส์), “Sniper News Voice” (เสียงข่าวสไนเปอร์นิวส์), and “WILD WEST channel”.
Regarding the clip titled “Cambodia Stunned, the US moved: The US Sent DOK-ING for Thailand to Clear Mines in Nong Chan” (เขมรเงิบ เจอสหรัฐมาเอง ส่งDOK-INGให้ไทยลุยทุ่นในหนองจาน), the following was found that the clip’s content claims to be a news commentary, featuring images of mine defusal operations in Nong Ya Kaeo Village, with photos sourced from the Facebook page “Army Military Force.”
The content of the clip states that, on October 10, 2025, the Thai side sent an armored bulldozer into the Thai–Cambodian border area (Ban Nong Chan) to clear the area and retrieve landmines believed to have been placed by the Cambodian side in the past.
Subsequently, on October 11, 2025, the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) continued the operation at Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, utilizing a DOK-ING MV-4 unmanned mine defusal vehicle, which had a U.S. flag affixed to its side.
The said vehicle was supported by a U.S. agency via JUSMAG-Thai to assist Thailand in making mine clearance safer.
The clip claims this incident caused dissatisfaction in Cambodia, and that if it could be proven that Cambodia was still laying new mines, they might face a cut in international funding. The narrator concluded that the incident constituted “an offensive move by Thailand” to demonstrate to the global community that Thailand is fulfilling its humanitarian obligations under the Ottawa Convention. The verification revealed that the clip has a high view count, and comments suggest a widespread belief that the United States genuinely sent the mine clearance machine to Thailand.
The Original Source of the Misrepresented Information
Thai PBS Verify checked the Facebook page “Army Military Force,” which the YouTube channel “SNIPER NEWs” referenced in the clip titled Cambodia Stunned, the US moved: The US Sent DOK-ING for Thailand to Clear Mines in Nong Chan” (เขมรเงิบ เจอสหรัฐมาเอง ส่งDOK-INGให้ไทยลุยทุ่นในหนองจาน), and which was subsequently cited in the post by the Facebook page “เกษตร นานา” (Kaset Nana). The check revealed that the page aggregates news, photos, and clips related to military weapons and equipment, providing updates from around the world. It was created on February 13, 2025, and has 740,000 followers, following 375 people.
Upon checking the Facebook page “Army Military Force,” it was found that on October 11, 2025, a series of photos were posted showing a mine defusal machinery unit conducting operations to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from the war in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province. The accompanying caption explained the work of the Royal Thai Army, led by the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), under the supervision of General Rangpirach Yaemkaesorn, who was in the Nong Ya Kaeo Village area of Sa Kaeo Province for the mine and UXO clearance. The operation was coordinated with the Burapha Task Force to ensure safety and return the land to the public. The caption stated that this mission is part of the mine clearance plan under the Ottawa Convention, utilizing an unmanned mine clearance vehicle from the U.S. (JUSMAGTHAI) for Humanitarian Demining in the clearance operation.
Upon reviewing the edit history of the post, it was found to have been revised four times, but there was no mention whatsoever of sending the DOK-ING MV4 unmanned mine clearance vehicle to assist in the operation.
TMAC Confirms No DOK-ING, Contrary to Post’s Claim
Thai PBS Verify inquired with the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) and received confirmation that the “DOK-ING” model mine defusal machine mentioned in the post is not in their possession whatsoever. Thailand currently utilizes two types of mine defusal equipment: the first is a mine clearance support type named Bobcat, which functions by cutting vegetation to open access to the clearance area.
The second model, named GCS–200, is a mine defusal machine currently stationed in Surin and Si Sa Ket provinces, which has been deployed to the Nong Ya Kaeo Village area of Sa Kaeo Province. This machine is being used in the left-hand side of the area (Zone A), where previous clashes occurred and some clearances have already taken place, but landmines remain. These machines were deployed to work speedily and save. The United States supported both types of equipment, and Thailand had possessed this machinery before the occurrence of the Thai–Cambodia border conflict. Furthermore, the United States not only supports Thailand, but the Cambodia Mine Action Center also received support.
Receipt of 3 Mine Clearance Vehicles from JUSMAGTHAI
The Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC) received three mine clearance vehicles from JUSMAGTHAI (provided as grant aid) through assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense under the “Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program (HD R&D).” These included:
- In 2023, two Bearcat vehicles were received.
- In 2025, one GCS-200 machinery set was received.
This handover coincided with the opening of the “Center of Excellence on Humanitarian Demining” in Thailand.
TMAC has never procured its own mine clearance vehicles. Therefore, the unit only has these three vehicles for operation. The drivers for all three vehicles are TMAC personnel. Regarding maintenance, the unit allocates a repair budget in each fiscal year (under the responsibility of the Thai Mine Action Coordination Center’s Support Division) and also receives spare parts support from HD R&D.
For current operations, two mine clearance vehicles (one Bearcat and one GCS-200) are operating at Nong Ya Kaeo Village. The remaining Bobcat recently completed its mission at Phu Makhue, Si Sa Ket Province, and is awaiting a new assignment (TMAC is considering the possibility of moving it from Phu Makhue to Sa Kaeo Province).
Meanwhile, Thai PBS Verify checked the logo on the mine defusal equipment used by TMAC and found it to be the logo of JUSMAGTHAI, which stands for Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand. Its main responsibilities include coordinating and managing military cooperation between the U.S. and Thai Armed Forces. Additionally, the Humanitarian Demining logo matched that of the U.S. Department of Defense‘s Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program.
Timeline of Mine Defusal Mission at Nong Ya Kaeo Village
On October 11, 2025, the Thailand Mine Action Center deployed a mine clearance machinery unit to conduct operations for clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from the war in the Nong Ya Kaeo Village area, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province, in accordance with the Ottawa Convention.
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Subsequently, on October 12, 2025, General Rangpirach Yaemkaesorn, Director of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), traveled to inspect the mine clearance operation conducted by the machinery unit and the Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 1 (HMAU 1). They carried out mine clearance in the Nong Ya Kaeo Village area, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province, clearing a total area of 6,154 square meters.
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
Image from the Facebook page of the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC)
What is the Truth?
Thai PBS Verify found that the information mentioned is misrepresented data. Through checking the images, text, and interviewing the Thailand Mine Action Center (TMAC), it was confirmed that TMAC does not use the equipment model claimed in the post for its operations.
