Schools across Cambodia and Thailand were forced to close on Monday (15 December) as border clashes between the two countries escalated, with the death toll reaching at least 40 and hundreds of thousands of people displaced, according to officials and local media.
Cambodia’s Education Ministry said 1,039 schools in six provinces have shut, affecting 242,881 students and 9,797 teachers, according to local outlet Fresh News.
The Interior Ministry confirmed two more civilian deaths, bringing Cambodia’s civilian toll to 15, with 73 others injured. State media reported that Thai F-16 fighter jets carried out airstrikes inside Cambodian territory.
In Thailand, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Bangkok formally appealed to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights after nine Thai civilians were killed and more than 600 schools and hospitals were closed. Thai Air Force F-16s also struck Cambodian military positions, with heavy fighting continuing along the frontier, according to the Thai Enquirer.
China expressed concern over the escalation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing is closely monitoring developments and called on both sides to exercise restraint, protect civilians, and work toward a ceasefire.
Officials said roughly 700,000 people have been displaced since fighting intensified last week. Overall, Cambodia reported 15 civilian deaths, while Thailand reported 16 soldiers and nine civilians killed.
The two countries signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but the accord was later suspended after Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion. T
he clashes come despite Trump’s statement on Friday that leaders of Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt renewed fighting.
Thai authorities said 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody following incidents over the past five months.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running border dispute that has repeatedly erupted into violence, including clashes in July in which at least 48 people were killed.
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