Renewed clashes along the Thailand–Cambodia border, including Thai airstrikes near disputed areas, have led the U.S. Embassy and several other foreign missions to advise travelers to avoid all areas within 50 kilometres of the frontier. All land border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia are currently closed to entry and exit, and authorities have shut a number of historical temple sites and nearby attractions due to the risk of further fighting and unexploded ordnance.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office has also updated its guidance with a partial travel warning for the same border region, noting that the situation remains unpredictable. Local reports in both countries indicate that residents in affected provinces have been evacuated or displaced, underscoring the conflict’s growing impact on communities along the border.

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Disruption likelihood in next 24–48 hours

Moderate. Major tourist hubs in both Thailand and Cambodia, including cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phnom Penh and popular island destinations are far from the conflict zone and remain open to travelers. However, the closure of overland border checkpoints and the possibility of further skirmishes mean that overland itineraries between the two countries are not reliable in the short term. Travelers cannot currently cross between Thailand and Cambodia by road or rail, and should be prepared for continued suspensions of land travel until the situation stabilizes.

Affected regions and who is impacted

The disruptions mainly affect travelers who intended to use land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia. This includes visitors planning bus or car journeys between Bangkok and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) or Phnom Penh, as well as those aiming to visit border-area attractions.

Notably, the famed Preah Vihear temple (known in Thailand as Khao Phra Wihan) and other ancient temple sites straddling the border (such as Ta Krabey/Ta Kwai and Ta Moan Thom) are in the conflict zone and have been closed to tourism.

Tourists and expatriates in provinces along the frontier (for example, Trat, Sa Kaeo, Surin on the Thai side, and Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear on the Cambodian side) face travel restrictions and heightened military presence. By contrast, travelers in major cities and resort areas well away from the border are less directly affected, but should stay informed via official updates and avoid any non-essential travel toward the border region.

Why travelers should care

Overland routes popular with backpackers and budget travelers – the classic bus/train links between Thailand and Cambodia – are unavailable for now, with no clear timetable for reopening. If you planned a cross-border trip, you will likely need to re-route via flights or adjust your itinerary to remain within one country.

For example, those in Thailand heading to Angkor Wat will have to fly to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh instead of taking a bus, and vice versa. Beyond the inconvenience, the situation underscores how quickly a regional dispute can turn into a practical obstacle for travel.

It’s important for travelers to monitor advisories: entering the defined exclusion zones (within 50 km of the border) is strongly discouraged , and travel insurance may not cover incidents in conflict areas. In short, anyone with plans to transit between Thailand and Cambodia by land should stay flexible and have backup arrangements until peace is restored and land crossings reopen.

FAQ

Q1. What is happening along the Thailand–Cambodia border right now?
Renewed clashes, including Thai airstrikes near disputed areas, have led authorities to close all land border crossings and shut several attractions in the frontier region.

Q2. Which areas should travelers avoid?
Embassies advise avoiding all areas within 50 km of the Thailand–Cambodia border, including affected provinces and nearby historic temple complexes.

Q3. Are all land crossings between Thailand and Cambodia closed?
Yes. All overland checkpoints are currently closed, making travel by bus, car, or train between the two countries impossible.

Q4. Are major tourist cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap affected?
No. These cities remain far from the conflict zone and are operating normally, though travelers should stay updated on official advisories.

Q5. Which temple sites are closed due to the clashes?
Sites in the conflict zone, including Preah Vihear/Khao Phra Wihan and temples such as Ta Krabey/Ta Kwai and Ta Moan Thom, are closed to visitors.

Q6. How are local communities impacted?
Residents in border provinces have faced evacuations and displacement, highlighting humanitarian concerns along the frontier.

Q7. Can I still travel between Thailand and Cambodia?
Yes, but only by air. Travelers must fly between cities like Bangkok, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh until land borders reopen.

Q8. How does this affect backpackers and budget travelers?
Overland backpacker routes between the two countries are suspended, forcing travelers to take costlier flights or revise itineraries.

Q9. Will travel insurance cover incidents in the border area?
Many policies exclude conflict zones or areas under official travel warnings. Entering the 50 km exclusion zone may void coverage, so review your policy carefully.

Q10. What should I do if my plan included an overland border crossing?
Stay flexible by rerouting via flights, adjusting dates or destinations, and monitoring your government’s advisories until land crossings reopen.