THAILAND-CAMBODIA: Clashes forces the closure of at least 1,200 schools impacting tens of thousands of children

BANGKOK, 29 July –About 1,200 schools have been forced to shut following clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, disrupting learning for tens of thousands of students from both countries as Save the Children calls for continued access to essential services for children affected by the fighting.

Thailand and Cambodia have seen bouts of tension in the past, particularly over contested areas along the border that the two countries share, as well as lingering disputes over temples of historic importance.

Armed clashes last week escalated into the worst fighting between the two countries in more than a decade, with both sides blaming each other for opening fire.

Across Thailand at least 14 people, including 2 children, have been killed according to the country’s Ministry of Public Health [1] while in Cambodia 13 people were killed.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Education said 600 schools have shut in five provinces, affecting the education of about 15,000 students [2] while Thailand’s Ministry of Education has closed about 750 schools following the escalation.[3]

The fighting has also internally displaced more than 134,000 people in Cambodia, many of them women and children, according to the Humanitarian Response Forum of which Save the Children is a part, and food, shelter and medical assistance are urgently needed.[4]

At a meeting in Malaysia on Monday Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire.

Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of Save the Children Thailand, said:

“It is unconscionable that children lost their lives because of the latest clashes. No child should ever come in harm’s way because of conflict but right now children living along border areas are living in fear. Schools have also shut, disrupting education for children who have only just returned to school a few weeks ago per the Thai school calendar.”

Reaksmey Hong, Country Director for Cambodia at Save the Children, said:

“Education is critically important for the wellbeing and the future of children and provides a sense of normalcy as schools are often seen as safe spaces. The closure of schools on both sides of the Thailand-Cambodia border is worrying and we call on authorities to reopen schools as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Save the Children also calls for continued access to essential services—including education, healthcare, and psychosocial support – for children. All parties must uphold international humanitarian law and respect the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  

Save the Children is working in Thailand with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to promote the mental well-being of children and families affected by the conflict. The children’s charity is providing technical advice on psychosocial support and has provided spaces inside evacuation centers that are dedicated to children where they can play and feel safe.

Save the Children has worked in Thailand since 1979 and supports children who are most impacted by discrimination and inequality through programmes on education, child protection, livelihood and child rights governance.

Save the Children has been working in Cambodia since 1970. Our programmatic work involves the areas of early childhood care and development, basic education, child rights, child protection, health and nutrition and child poverty and disaster risk reduction.

References:

[1] https://pr.moph.go.th/online/index/news/324188online/index/eventonline/index/event

[2] Ministry of Education (Cambodia): As of the morning of 27 July. 600 schools have shut in five provinces, affecting the education of about 15,000 students. https://www.facebook.com/moeys.gov.kh

[3] Thai Ministry of Education: https://www.moe.go.th/en/

[4]  Humanitarian Response Forum Situation Report Number 1