Schools without students: The hidden toll of the Thai-Cambodian clashes

Despite the recently signed truce between Thailand and Cambodia, more than 900 Thai schools remain closed following nearly two months of deadly clashes along the border. The skirmishes, beginning on May 28 at Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani, have claimed multiple lives on both sides, including children.

Thailand’s Education Ministry has announced schools along the border will remain closed until the military can guarantee safety for students and teachers. The prolonged closure has raised concerns of long-term trauma and disrupted learning among affected children.

So far, 188,734 people have been evacuated from the border provinces of Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, Trat and Chanthaburi. Many evacuees are school-age children, who now risk falling behind with their studies.

“The conflict has disrupted children’s routines, affecting their food, sleep, play and education,” said Assoc Prof Dr Prachuap Chanmuen, director of Sisaket Rajabhat University’s Research and Development Institute.

He also warned that while the psychological toll of armed conflict on children may not be immediately visible, a persistent sense of fear and insecurity could intensify over time.

Kraiyos Patrawart, managing director of the Equitable Education Fund, echoed these concerns, noting that children exposed to violence can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in later years.

Students at Nachaluay School in Ubon Ratchathani reportedly heard gunfire during a border clash. Thai fighter jets had launched retaliatory airstrikes against Cambodian military positions near the Chong Bok border crossing after at least six Thai civilians, including a child, were killed in an artillery attack.

Elsewhere, a teacher in Si Sa Ket recounted how her young primary school students burst into tears and began screaming as they were evacuated from their classroom.

“The children were terrified. We had practised drills before, but the real event was overwhelming,” he said.

Safety first, learning later

Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) personnel are providing essential supplies and psychological support at evacuation shelters.

Meanwhile, teachers and school staff have been told to stay away from schools near the conflict zone until further notice.

Both sides have reported violations since the ceasefire came into effect on Tuesday (July 29), casting doubt on its viability.

“We are working closely with the military and security agencies to assess safety conditions before schools can reopen,” said OBEC secretary-general Thanu Wongjinda.

Meanwhile, OBEC is considering alternate ways of providing lessons to students, via television, printed materials and online platforms. “We are working on it,” Thanu said.

Emergency learning centres

The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) is cooperating with regional Rajabhat universities and local organisations to form temporary learning centres in evacuation shelters in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Buri Ram.

“These centres will do more than deliver lessons – they will offer children a safe place to recover and rebuild,” Kraiyos said.

Alongside academic lessons, the centres will also teach children life skills and resilience. Children showing signs of distress will receive counselling, with serious cases referred to psychiatric professionals within the EEF network.

“If PTSD is not addressed early, it can impact children’s emotional well-being, social development and ability to learn. Many may drop out of school,” Kraiyos warned.

To support emotional healing, the EEF has designed therapeutic activities involving music, relationship-building and creative expression.

“We are looking to expand these programmes to other provinces too,” he said.