Conflict at Thai-Cambodian border claimed lives of five Thai students
Thai-Cambodian Border Conflict Affects Schools and Students
The ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict, which erupted in late July 2025, has had a significant impact on schools and students in the affected regions.
Classes have been suspended in over 900 schools across seven provinces due to safety concerns. According to the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), more than 100,000 civilians have been evacuated by the Thai authorities as a result of the conflict.
The Thai government has prioritised the safety of teachers and students, and no educators will be sent back to oversee schools until OBEC has coordinated closely with military and security authorities.
In response to the conflict, OBEC has held a high-level meeting to discuss the situation and has assigned deputy secretary-generals, assistant secretary-generals, advisers, and bureau directors to oversee support efforts in the affected provinces.
To ensure fairness for the rescheduled exams, a new set of questions will be prepared. In addition, OBEC is preparing to postpone the assistant teacher recruitment exam and other student examinations in the conflict-affected provinces.
The Education Minister, Narumon Pinyosinwat, is deeply concerned about the situation and is monitoring it closely. The Minister is also expected to attend a royal cremation ceremony scheduled for July 31, 2025.
Exams in other unaffected provinces will proceed as scheduled.
Regarding the impact on Thai-Pakistan relations, no new information was provided in the current paragraph. However, the Thai Cyber Agency is reportedly rushing to bolster media defences against escalating threats.
The clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have resulted in the death of five Thai students and injury of three others. Hospitals have also been impacted, with civilian infrastructure such as supermarkets and hospitals hit by Cambodian rocket attacks causing civilian casualties.
The Thai government has emphasised that it did not initiate the violence but responded to Cambodian provocations and attacks that endangered civilians. Martial law was declared in Thai border districts, and military readiness, including F-16 fighter jets, was highlighted as essential to defend sovereignty.
On the diplomatic front, ASEAN called for an immediate ceasefire, and the UN Security Council convened urgently. Thailand and Cambodia agreed to talks in Kuala Lumpur, declaring an immediate and unconditional ceasefire effective from late July, although sporadic fighting persisted afterwards.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been closely following the situation and has provided guidance for the development of alternative learning models for the affected provinces if the conflict is prolonged.
The three injured students are now in stable condition. The recent escalation of the conflict has raised fears of regional destabilization and foreign powers’ involvement, with over 100,000 people displaced and border towns evacuated or deserted due to ongoing hostilities.
Amidst the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, the impact on education hasn't been limited to school suspensions; the Education Minister, Narumon Pinyosinwat, is also preparing to postpone assistant teacher recruitment exams and other student examinations in the conflict-affected provinces. In parallel, politics and diplomacy are playing significant roles, as Thailand and Cambodia agree to talks in Kuala Lumpur and the UN Security Council convenes urgently, while the ASEAN calls for an immediate ceasefire. On the business side, the situation has led to disruptions, with over 100,000 people displaced and border towns evacuated, potentially affecting various local businesses in the region.
