Traveling to Thailand and Cambodia under current border conflict conditions: Safety assessment required.
The Thailand-Cambodia border region has been plagued by a series of violent clashes, leading to travel advisories, suspended border crossings, and increased military presence.
The Foreign Ministry of France has urged both Cambodia and Thailand to immediately cease fighting and resolve their differences peacefully, in accordance with international law. France has also expressed deep concern over the armed clashes and offered assistance to anyone affected by the violence.
The United States has upped its travel advisory status for the region to Level 4 - Do Not Travel due to ongoing fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces. The US advises against non-essential journeys to areas within 50 km of the Thailand-Cambodia border. The State Department warns of a collateral risk of violence to US citizens and points out its limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in the affected provinces.
The EU Commission is deeply concerned by reports of civilian casualties in the border clashes. Anouar El Anouni, EU Commission spokesperson, expressed the EU's concerns on social platform X. The EU Commission calls for restraint and urges both sides to de-escalate and resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN Charter.
The clashes between Cambodia and Thailand on July 24 resulted in casualties, with at least 14 deaths and injuries to dozens. Violence between Cambodian and Thai combatants in disputed border areas has resulted in the displacement of over 100,000 people, prompting countries such as India to issue advisories warning their nationals against travel to affected areas.
Many monks and residents of the area have dispersed and set up impromptu operations at the border of Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey province. Some monks and local villagers in Thailand's northeast have taken refuge in a defence bunker built from precast concrete drainage pipes. Local volunteer groups are distributing essential items such as blankets, clothes, pillows, and toiletries to thousands of refugees.
Streets as far as 100km from active combat zones are said to be emptier than usual due to the violence. The conflict's wider impact includes significant hotel booking cancellations in multiple Thai provinces due to safety concerns and travel insurance complications, though these are not all directly border provinces.
The 1907 French colonial map is often blamed for the dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The current travel advisory for the Thailand-Cambodia border due to armed conflict advises avoiding travel to several eastern provinces of Thailand bordering Cambodia, with routine land border crossings largely suspended and heightened security measures in place. Travelers are urged to avoid seven key provinces along the border—Yuben, Ratchathani, Surin, Syset, Burum, Sakeo, Chantaburi, and Trat—until further notice due to escalating violence and active military operations.
Journeys cancelled in the wake of government Do Not Travel advisories are usually eligible for insurance cover, depending on the policy. Angkor Wat temple complex, located in Siem Reap, a border area affected by the violence, has been closed for public safety.
In summary, active armed conflict around the Thailand-Cambodia border has led to suspended land border travel, restricted access zones, increased military presence, and official advisories urging travelers to avoid eastern Thai border provinces until the situation stabilizes. Travel elsewhere in Thailand continues as normal with heightened awareness recommended near the affected regions.
- In light of the ongoing violence in the Thailand-Cambodia border region, local volunteer groups are distributing essential items to displaced refugees.
- Amidst the political tension and war-and-conflicts, the US has issued a travel advisory, advising against non-essential journeys to areas within 50 km of the Thailand-Cambodia border.
- Despite the general-news of increased military presence and suspended border crossings, the EU Commission is urging both Cambodia and Thailand to resolve their differences peacefully and de-escalate through dialogue, in line with international law.
