Over 900 Schools in Six Cambodian Provinces Forced to Close Amid Border Conflict

CAMBODIA - December 12, 2025. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) of Cambodia announced today that 909 schools across 20 districts in six border provinces have been temporarily closed as of the morning of Dec. 11. The closures are a direct safety measure in response to continued indiscriminate and brutal attacks carried out by Thai forces.

The affected provinces include Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Pursat, Koh Kong, and Battambang. According to figures shared by the Ministry, the suspension of educational operations has impacted 7,601 teachers and 216,107 students to date.

Since December 7, the Thai military has renewed hostilities against Cambodian territory, expanding operations across multiple locations in Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Battambang, and Pursat.

These military operations have involved the use of heavy weapons, F-16 fighter jets, and toxic gas, resulting in civilian casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents. The attacks have also caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including homes, temples, and health centers.

After exercising maximum restraint for more than 24 hours, Cambodia has stated it has no choice but to launch counterattacks in self-defense to protect its territorial integrity against these repeated violations.