Cambodian children flee as border shelling intensifies

Heavy shelling along the Thai–Cambodian border forced schoolchildren to run for safety this morning, as fresh clashes deepened fears of a widening confrontation between the two neighbours.

Footage shared by local media showed pupils in Oddar Meanchey province sprinting from their classrooms after the sound of artillery fire echoed across the frontier shortly after dawn. Cambodia’s Ministry of Education later ordered the temporary closure of schools in border districts, saying the measure was necessary to protect students and staff as hostilities intensified.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence, Thai forces opened fire at around 5.04am in the An Ses area of Preah Vihear province, before additional rounds were reported near Tamone Thom Temple, Preah Vihear Temple, the 5 Makara area and Chamkar Chek. Officials described the strikes as part of a pattern of “provocative actions” in recent days, including an incident at Prolean Thmor on Sunday.

Cambodian authorities say their troops did not return fire, citing a commitment to existing agreements and to resolving disputes peacefully under international law. Phnom Penh has notified the ASEAN Observers Team and intends to request an on‑site investigation to establish what happened.

The Ministry of Defence condemned what it called “inhumane and brutal” actions, arguing that the attacks violate the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Declaration on Peace Deal signed on 26 October. Cambodia has urged the international community to condemn Thailand’s actions and to hold Bangkok accountable for what it views as repeated breaches of the agreement.

Beyond the military exchanges, the human impact is already visible. Hundreds of residents in Preah Vihear province have been evacuated since Sunday afternoon, as artillery fire reportedly targeted both Cambodian positions and nearby civilian areas. Local authorities in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey have been working to move families to safer locations, with images showing people leaving their homes in trucks, cars and on motorbikes while emergency shelters are set up.

The situation along the border remains tense, with both sides offering sharply different accounts of how the latest clashes began. For now, Cambodian officials say they are monitoring developments “with extreme caution”, while calling on Thailand to halt all hostilities and return to full compliance with the ceasefire and peace commitments.

The coming days are likely to determine whether this morning’s violence marks a brief flare‑up or the start of a more dangerous escalation.

-2025-12-08