Karen Civil Groups Urge Thailand to Allow Refugee Children in Public Schools Following Ban

Karen civil society organizations are calling on the Thai government to lift education restrictions after authorities barred a group of Myanmar refugee children from attending local public schools in border areas. The appeal follows an audit by Thailand's Ministry of Interior in early August 2026, which ordered 13 refugee children from the Mae La camp in Tak Province to stop attending nearby Thai government schools. The children were among 46 camp residents enrolled for the 2026–2027 academic year; authorities are currently verifying the documentation of the remaining 33 students.