On July 26, Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) announced the expansion of its no-fly zone due to escalating border clashes with Thailand. Flights are now prohibited over conflict areas and the restriction extends to Poipet, Pailin, and half of Siem Reap province. Aircraft are also barred from flying below 1,200 meters in altitude. Despite these changes, flights between Cambodia and Thailand remain unaffected, according to SSCA spokesperson Sin Chansereywattha.
This update follows a previous directive issued on July 25, requiring all aircraft flying below 11,000 meters within Cambodian airspace to reroute to avoid risk. The directive will remain in effect until further notice.
Simultaneously, the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport announced the closure of 536 schools across five provinces: Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Koh Kong, and Pursat. The closures affect approximately 130,000 students and teachers due to escalating conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border.
In Thailand, the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) also ordered the temporary shutdown of 751 schools in high-risk zones near the Cambodian border. According to regional education offices in Si Sa Ket and Yasothon, students were evacuated and all educational activities suspended. Obec previously instructed education offices in seven border provinces—Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram—to prepare emergency teaching alternatives and strictly follow crisis response protocols. Safe school buildings may be converted into shelters or community relief centers if needed.
Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated into full-scale conflict since July 24, with clashes now entering their third day. Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense reported that, as of July 26, 13 people had died—five of them soldiers—and 71 others were injured, mainly civilians.
Meanwhile, the Thai military confirmed at least 20 deaths, including 14 civilians and 6 soldiers. More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai side of the border, while over 35,000 individuals have been displaced in Cambodia.
Znews
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