Thai - Cambodia Conflict Thai Schools Struggle to Reopen Amid Border Tensions

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Anxiety pervaded the first day of school in Thailand's border districts on Wednesday, with classrooms seeing less than 40% attendance. This apprehension follows a landmine explosion on Tuesday that resulted in a Thai paramilitary soldier losing a leg near the Ta Muean Thom temple in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin.

 

Schools across several border districts, including Phanom Dong Rak, Kap Choeng, Sangkha, and Buachet, officially reopened. However, institutions such as Ban Dan School in Kap Choeng district, situated close to the Chong Chom border crossing, have decided to postpone in-person classes until at least Friday. These schools have opted to continue online classes in the meantime.

 

In Ban Kruat district, Buri Ram, Nikom Sang Ton Eng 8 School reopened for the first time since its closure on July 24. Nonetheless, attendance remained dismally low as parents still grapple with safety concerns following the recent explosion.

 

Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), Acting Sub-Lieutenant Thanu Wongchinda, reported that out of the 751 schools originally shut down due to border clashes, 736 have now resumed operations. However, 15 remain closed pending official security assurance.

 

Wongchinda highlighted that Obec is implementing alternative education strategies for affected students. Drawing from the experience gained during the Covid-19 pandemic, these strategies include onsite learning in designated safe areas, DLTV broadcasts, online classes, on-demand learning via applications, and distributing take-home worksheets.

 

Privy Councillor Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan has held discussions with Obec officials to explore solutions for these challenges. Concurrently, Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat has urged schools to prioritise the safety of students and staff, instructing them to reopen only when it is deemed secure.

 

Meanwhile, tensions are rising among residents near the Thai-Cambodian border. The recent landmine incident has sparked fears of renewed conflict, exacerbated by rumours of Cambodian military movements during the ceasefire.

 

Community leaders have advised residents to prepare essential supplies for a potential emergency evacuation. Although no further clashes have been reported overnight or by Wednesday morning, many families have started relocating to safer areas, such as the homes of relatives, temples, or nearby resorts, to ensure their safety.

 

The situation remains closely monitored by authorities, as communities strive to balance educational needs with the imperative of safety. The lingering unease underscores the complex reality of living near a tense border, where the shadows of conflict can dramatically affect daily life and community operations.

 

As the days unfold, both parents and educators are hopeful that calm will soon be restored, allowing students to fully return to their educational routines without fear. For now, the delicate dance of resuming normalcy amidst uncertainty continues.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-14