Residents along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been forced to evacuate as renewed clashes erupted, resulting in at least five deaths. Both nations have accused each other of instigating the violence, marking the most severe confrontation since a ceasefire was established in July. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the country does not seek violence but will take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty. Conversely, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai forces of provoking conflict.

Since May, rising tensions have led to over 40 fatalities, alongside import bans and travel restrictions. On the day of the latest clashes, the Thai military reported responding to fire from Cambodian forces in Ubon Ratchathani Province, including air strikes along the disputed border. The Cambodian defense ministry claimed that Thai forces initiated the attack in Preah Vihear province. The violence has resulted in the deaths of one Thai soldier and four Cambodian civilians, with numerous injuries reported.

The ongoing conflict has severely affected local children, as noted by Thai teacher Siksaka Pongsuwan, who expressed concern that children in border areas are losing educational opportunities compared to their peers in more stable regions. Approximately 650 schools across five Thai provinces have been closed for safety reasons, as confirmed by Thailand's education minister. In Cambodia, chaotic scenes were reported as parents hurried to retrieve their children from schools.

This is not the first disruption to education in the region; intense fighting in July coincided with children's examinations, leading to a shift to online classes that many students could not access due to lack of internet connectivity. Former journalist Mech Dara highlighted the distressing experiences of children during these conflicts, sharing videos of their frantic evacuations and questioning the necessity of such violence.

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has historical roots, with tensions flaring dramatically following a Cambodian rocket attack on July 24, which prompted Thai air strikes. An immediate ceasefire was brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and a formal agreement was signed in October with U.S. President Donald Trump present. However, Thailand later suspended the implementation of this agreement after incidents involving landmines. The territorial dispute has persisted for over a century, stemming from the delineation of borders during the French colonial period in Cambodia.