Tourists in Thailand blocked from crossing border into Cambodia
Travellers in Thailand have been blocked from crossing over into Cambodia amid an escalating border dispute.
The restrictions apply to any vehicle or person trying to enter Cambodia from checkpoints across several Thai provinces, as well as foreign tourists flying into Siem Reap.
Relations between the two Southeast Asian countries have deteriorated following an armed confrontation on 28 May in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested territory.
Tourists in Thailand banned from crossing border into Cambodia
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday that Thailand will boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists.
Only students, medical patients and others who need to purchase essential goods will be allowed to enter or leave Thailand for Cambodia, meaning thousands of travellers are having to rethink plans.
She said the measures were aimed at stopping people heading toward Cambodia's 'lucrative casinos', but it appeared that all tourists would be blocked from crossing the border.
The Thai army said in a statement later on Monday that it had implemented the measures at every land border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in five provinces, and that it was stopping all crossings except for people with essential needs.
Paetongtarn added that foreign tourists will also be banned from taking flights from Thailand to the popular Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap, the closest airport to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex.
The government has not indicated when restrictions will be lifted, and aviation authorities are bracing for a potentially lengthy impasse.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO has issued a warning to travellers.
'Take extra care and stay alert in border areas and follow the instructions of local authorities, especially at tourist destinations such as the Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai temple and the Ta Muen Thom temple. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. Stay on marked paths especially around Ta Krabey.'
Thailand calls out scam networks luring foreign tourists
The Thai government says the new restrictions are not only a political response but also a move to crack down on illegal operations based in Cambodia.
Thailand's military leaders have accused transnational scam operations - with Cambodia functioning as a hub - of exploiting border loopholes and online networks to lure victims, including foreign tourists.
They say scammers entrap victims through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes.
Cambodia, for its part, has boycotted some Thai internet services and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand in response to the border dispute.
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Euronews
6 days ago
- Euronews
Tourists in Thailand blocked from crossing border into Cambodia
Travellers in Thailand have been blocked from crossing over into Cambodia amid an escalating border dispute. The restrictions apply to any vehicle or person trying to enter Cambodia from checkpoints across several Thai provinces, as well as foreign tourists flying into Siem Reap. Relations between the two Southeast Asian countries have deteriorated following an armed confrontation on 28 May in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested territory. Tourists in Thailand banned from crossing border into Cambodia Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday that Thailand will boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists. Only students, medical patients and others who need to purchase essential goods will be allowed to enter or leave Thailand for Cambodia, meaning thousands of travellers are having to rethink plans. She said the measures were aimed at stopping people heading toward Cambodia's 'lucrative casinos', but it appeared that all tourists would be blocked from crossing the border. The Thai army said in a statement later on Monday that it had implemented the measures at every land border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in five provinces, and that it was stopping all crossings except for people with essential needs. Paetongtarn added that foreign tourists will also be banned from taking flights from Thailand to the popular Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap, the closest airport to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex. The government has not indicated when restrictions will be lifted, and aviation authorities are bracing for a potentially lengthy impasse. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO has issued a warning to travellers. 'Take extra care and stay alert in border areas and follow the instructions of local authorities, especially at tourist destinations such as the Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai temple and the Ta Muen Thom temple. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. Stay on marked paths especially around Ta Krabey.' Thailand calls out scam networks luring foreign tourists The Thai government says the new restrictions are not only a political response but also a move to crack down on illegal operations based in Cambodia. Thailand's military leaders have accused transnational scam operations - with Cambodia functioning as a hub - of exploiting border loopholes and online networks to lure victims, including foreign tourists. They say scammers entrap victims through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes. Cambodia, for its part, has boycotted some Thai internet services and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand in response to the border dispute.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Euronews
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France 24
6 days ago
- France 24
Border confusion as Thailand shuts land crossings with Cambodia
Thailand has closed crossing points in in all seven border provinces to everyone except students and those seeking medical treatment, after a long-running row erupted into military clashes last month in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. There was confusion at the Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province -- the main crossing for people travelling overland to Cambodia's Siem Reap, where the Angkor Wat complex is located. Around 50 Cambodian workers, mostly vendors who regularly cross into Thailand for trade, found themselves stuck at the checkpoint, unable to return home. "I wanted to go back last night but had to sleep at my shop instead because police didn't allow me to cross," said Malin Po, 38, a clothing seller. "I usually cross every day because I come to work in Thailand and go back home to Cambodia." She said no one had explained why the checkpoint was closed, leaving many frustrated. Riot police were stationed near the crossing point -- a grand archway sealed shut with yellow railings -- as people trudged back towards the Thai side after being turned away. Chanta Wo, 32, a Cambodian carpenter based in Sa Kaeo, said he was trying to cross the border after learning that his 73 year old mother-in-law had just died. Travelling with his wife, brother, two-year-old daughter and a one-month-old baby, he was seen changing his infant son's nappy on a bench near the checkpoint. "I was warned away by the police... I'm very concerned," he told AFP. Border row As well as Cambodian workers, a handful of tourists hoping to cross the border also found themselves stuck. Matteo Toso, 34, from Turin, Italy, said he was backpacking across Asia and had spent two months starting from Nepal before attempting to cross into Cambodia. "I might have to go back to Bangkok and take a plane to Cambodia but of course that's more expensive," he told AFP. He said he was concerned that tensions between Thailand and Cambodia could impact Thailand's tourism in the long run. "I haven't seen many tourists, but it's the low season," he said. "During the high season, this could be bad for the country." Thailand and Cambodia are at odds over several small sections of their border in a row that dates back to the drawing of the 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina. Violence sparked by the dispute has led to at least 28 deaths in the region since 2008, but the issue had died down in recent years until last month's flare-up. Peace-seeking talks stalled, and Cambodia has banned imports of fuel and oil from Thailand, as well as Thai fruit and vegetables. The row has also gravely wounded Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is facing calls to quit over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen which saw her accused of appeasing Phnom Penh and undermining her own military. Thai border police said it was unclear when the crossing would reopen, adding that officers on the ground were following military orders with limited information. © 2025 AFP
