Thai students in the classroom | Photo via Pramote Polyamate

 

A recent proposal to reduce educational funding for undocumented Cambodian students in Thailand has ignited a heated debate. Criticism has arisen from both political and human rights arenas, raising concerns about potential breaches of international laws regarding children's rights.

 

Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Kamol Rodklai, urged the Thai government to reconsider its financial support for Cambodian students amid escalating costs and tense cross-border relations. Announcing this on Wednesday, Kamol, a former secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, revealed that Thailand spends around 837 million baht annually on approximately 108,000 non-Thai students, both documented and undocumented. He pointed out this figure exceeds the average expenditure per Thai student.

 

"Many developed countries, such as the United States, provide public education access only to legal migrant children," Kamol stated. "In Thailand, however, we support both legal and illegal migrants, which raises concerns about the proper use of Thai taxpayers’ money."

 

Kamol clarified that the proposal is about reallocating, not eliminating, educational assistance. The focus, he stated, should start with Cambodia due to recent diplomatic tensions. "This isn't about abandoning humanitarian principles but aligning them with our national interests and security."

 

Human rights advocate Angkhana Neelapaijit took to social media to criticise the proposal, underscoring children's right to protection amidst geopolitical conflicts. "Children are not parties to conflict or violence. Denying them education based on nationality or their parents’ immigration status violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and International Humanitarian Law. During conflicts, children should be protected, not punished."

 

Angkhana emphasized the universal obligation to protect and educate refugee or migrant children fleeing violence, regardless of their nationality or legal status.

 

Senator Wiwat Rungkaew of Si Sa Ket questioned the reliability of student registration systems at Thai schools near the Cambodian border. He cited instances where Cambodian children allegedly cross the border daily to attend school in Thailand, although their parents reside in Cambodia.

 

In defence of the proposal, Kamol maintained that the recommendations adhered to legal scrutiny. "European and American models ensure children's rights within legal frameworks. Our intention is not to abolish aid but to manage it more effectively. We are still complying with international standards, and if bilateral relations improve, we can revisit this issue."

 

This developing story has drawn attention to the complexities of balancing humanitarian values with national policies, revealing the delicate interplay between international obligations and domestic priorities. The debate continues as stakeholders from various sectors weigh in on this contentious issue.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-15

 

I am wondering if the education system in Cambodia is even worse than in Thailand??? The first question there for is why are they coming to study here, unless they can't for several reasons study in their country, and if they have to study here they should be treated good.. Discrimination is common in Thailand, but kids are innocent and can't be hold responsible for the deeds of of a few politicians, who have a dispute

36 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

I am wondering if the education system in Cambodia is even worse than in Thailand??? The first question there for is why are they coming to study here, unless they can't for several reasons study in their country, and if they have to study here they should be treated good.. Discrimination is common in Thailand, but kids are innocent and can't be hold responsible for the deeds of of a few politicians, who have a dispute

 

As they mention "undocumented Cambodian students", this seems to be about the children of migrant workers who can attend a public school in Thailand, not about Cambodians who come to Thailand to pursue higher education.

 

I think Cambodians who have a choice and the money go elsewhere. 

12 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

As they mention "undocumented Cambodian students", this seems to be about the children of migrant workers who can attend a public school in Thailand, not about Cambodians who come to Thailand to pursue higher education.

 

I think Cambodians who have a choice and the money go elsewhere. 

Correct.

""Many developed countries, such as the United States, provide public education access only to legal migrant children," Kamol stated."

Untrue. 

under federal law, undocumented children and youth in the United States have the right to attend public elementary and secondary schools, regardless of their immigration status. The Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe established that denying undocumented children access to free public education violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause

They are kids!  Sow the seeds of peace and let them continue their education in welcoming Thailand.  Parents grateful. Kids remember. 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand spends around 837 million baht annually on non-Thai students

Kamol clarified that the proposal is about reallocating

Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Kamol, a former secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission

Kamol, you having "experience" as both a politician and an official, I wonder strongly about your true motives of "reallocation" of monies... to where exactly...? 

44 minutes ago, Emdog said:

under federal law, undocumented children and youth in the United States have the right to attend public elementary and secondary schools, regardless of their immigration status. The Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe established that denying undocumented children access to free public education violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause

Good response! Support for the above is here:

 

https://chatgpt.com/s/t_689fe727b9688191b11bc138c0ecdf7b

 

Apparently the same protection does not apply to secondary education in the USA.

Children of Cambodian workers ( Documented or Undocumented) should be able to receive an education here. God knows that most Thais don’t want to do the very necessary work their parents are doing !

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

recent proposal to reduce educational funding for undocumented Cambodian students in Thailand has ignited a heated debate.

How dare you to support those ferocious animals? (Sarcasm off)

Is it really a problem to give students a proper education, no matter where they are coming from?

That works out at 30 baht per day per student. And that is "more than they spend on" Thai children???!!!

 

No wonder the country is full of brainless clods.

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I am wondering if the education system in Cambodia is even worse than in Thailand??? The first question there for is why are they coming to study here, unless they can't for several reasons study in their country, and if they have to study here they should be treated good.. Discrimination is common in Thailand, but kids are innocent and can't be hold responsible for the deeds of of a few politicians, who have a dispute

punish the children ,what kind of a country is Thailand becoming ?

Shame on Kamol Rodklai, what kind of beast is chairing the Senate Committee on Education! Explains the human quality of such pr1ks; this human manure exit should be thrown out of any political office for life. 

Irrespective of anything; a child has the right to education, free from any pressure (financially, ethically or religiously) but as long as education costs a single cent, the future is questionable if not doomed. 

Certain countries in Europe, Finland and Switzerland spring to mind, provide absolutely free education to the level of a PhD to the gifted which allows the brightest minds to carry their country into the future while brainless rich kids .........

Here it is the opposite, spoilt brats linger around in all sorts of private schools, unable to provide for themselves as grown-ups simply because the parent(s) spend (sometime ill-gotten) funds on school fees and generous contributions to underline the promotion into the next higher grade with the kind support of teachers and headmasters alike .....

I hope, for Kamol Rodklai, that I never meet him - for his own advantage! 

He pointed out this figure exceeds the average expenditure per Thai student.

 

Just flat out wrong on so many levels ...      this should never be allowed to happen

Migrant workers' sons and daughters aren't any  responsible for border war.

 

Their parents are working for Thailand with or without military clash.

 

Therefore Thai govt is responsible for providing them with proper educational services.