2011-02-14 18:55

BANGKOK - Schools along the Cambodian border in the northeastern Thai province of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district reopened on Monday, the first day after being closed due to border clashes last week.

Director Wanna Boonsuk of the Si Sa Ket Primary Education Service Area Office inspected conditions at all schools including Ban Phum Srol School which has been closed for five days since the clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers during Feb 4-7 on Phu Ma Kua mountain near Preah Vihear temple.

However, only about 70 of the school's 384 registered students came to classes on Monday.

Wanna said some 60 schools in the province closed temporarily and only 30-50 percent of all students came to school, most likely due to parents caution regarding the safety of their children in this situation. It is expected that all students will come to school on Tuesday.

Four days of clashes near the disputed ancient Preah Vihear temple forced at least 21,000 Thai villagers to flee their homes and stay at 37 makeshift camps in 10 district of Si Sa Ket province.