Cambodia-Thailand clashes close schools, displace hundreds of thousands
Cambodia’s Education Ministry reported that fighting has forced the closure of 1,039 schools across six provinces, affecting 242,881 students and 9,797 teachers, according to local reports.
The Interior Ministry said two additional civilians were killed, raising Cambodia’s civilian death toll to 15, while 73 others were injured. State-run media indicated that Thai F-16 jets conducted airstrikes inside Cambodian territory.
In Thailand, the Foreign Ministry stated that Bangkok has formally appealed to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights after nine Thai civilians were killed and over 600 schools and hospitals were closed. Reports also noted that the Thai Air Force launched F-16 strikes on Cambodian military positions, with intense fighting persisting along the border.
China voiced concern over the escalation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing is closely monitoring the situation. "We are deeply saddened by the casualties inflicted on both sides and express heartfelt sympathies. Cambodia and Thailand are and will always be neighbors. Amity and good-neighborliness are invaluable to a country. The top priority now is to stop the fighting and protect civilians," he said. He added, "We hope the two sides will, in light of safeguarding peace and stability of the border areas and the interests of the peoples, exercise maximum restraint, take all measures conducive to realizing a ceasefire, and deescalate as soon as possible."
Local reports estimate that approximately 700,000 people on both sides of the border have been displaced since clashes intensified last week. Overall, Cambodia has reported 15 civilian deaths, while Thailand has recorded 16 soldiers and nine civilian fatalities.
The fighting has continued despite US President Donald Trump’s statement that leaders of both countries had agreed to halt renewed hostilities. Earlier, Thailand and Cambodia signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but the truce collapsed after Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion in a border province. Thai authorities also said that around 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody following incidents over the past five months.
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has a long history and has repeatedly flared into violence, including clashes in July that left at least 48 people dead.
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