Thai border school shuts as Myanmar clashes spill over

A school on Thailand’s western frontier has been forced to close after stray bullets from fighting in neighbouring Myanmar landed inside Thai territory, underscoring the growing risks for communities along the border.

Ban Mae Kon Ken School in Mae Sot district, Tak province, suspended classes on 22 June as a precaution. The Royal Thai Army confirmed that clashes across the border had intensified, with Myanmar forces reinforcing positions in Min Let Pan and Phalu villages, opposite Huai Maha Wong in Tak.

Colonel Nuchrawee Jamjamrat, deputy army spokesperson, said the Naresuan Task Force was monitoring the situation closely. Troops and equipment have been placed on standby, alongside the Ratchamanu Task Force, to protect residents and property. Authorities have urged villagers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.

The closure highlights the fragility of life along the Thai‑Myanmar border, where fighting between the junta and resistance forces has repeatedly spilled into Thai territory. In recent months, stray shells and bullets have landed in Mae Sot and surrounding districts, raising fears for civilian safety.

For families in border communities, the risks are not abstract. Children attending schools near the frontier are vulnerable when clashes erupt just across the river. The temporary suspension of classes is intended to shield students, but it also disrupts education and daily life.

The Thai military believes Myanmar troops may be preparing new operations against resistance fighters in Myawaddy Township, a hotspot of conflict opposite Tak province. Fighting there on 21–22 June marked another escalation, prompting Thai authorities to heighten security measures.

Residents have been advised to follow official updates and remain alert. Security units are on call around the clock, reflecting the seriousness with which the army views the threat.

The incident adds to wider concerns about instability along the border. While Thailand has so far managed to contain the spillover, the closure of Ban Mae Kon Ken School is a stark reminder that the conflict in Myanmar is not confined by geography. For border communities, the line between safety and danger remains perilously thin.

-2026-06-24