Over 100 Filipino teachers evacuated in Thailand amid clashes

More than 100 Filipinos in Thailand were evacuated by local authorities following increased incidents of armed clashes in some areas.

Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz said the evacuees were teachers who were assigned in areas where the clashes are taking place, according to a post on X by GMA Integrated News' Jonathan Andal.

“Ligtas naman sila,” Cruz said.

(They are safe.)

“Dahil may armed clashes doon, suspended ang lahat ng classes at sakanila no work no pay. No Filipino is in trouble. Lahat ay ligtas, lahat ay accounted for,” she added.

(Because there are armed clashes there, all classes are suspended, and they are under no work, no pay. No Filipino is in trouble. All of them are safe, and all of them are accounted for.)

At least 118 Filipinos in Thailand, mostly teachers, have been evacuated following the outbreak of armed clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, according to Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz-Paredes | via POC Media @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Ue9fWUTrpT

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) December 13, 2025

Earlier, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok said Filipino athletes competing for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games are safe and protected by security measures set for the games.

“Ang mga atleta natin ay siguradong safe. Safe naman ang Bangkok. That’s why we continue to have these SEA Games. In-ensure 'yan ng Thai authorities,” Cruz said.

(Our athletes are surely safe. Bangkok is safe. That’s why we continue to have these SEA Games. Thai authorities have ensured that.)

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have been disputing over undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border.

Tensions recently reignited despite a ceasefire brokered between the two nations by U.S. President Donald Trump. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News