Tourism Border Tensions Lead to Thai Tourism Cancellations

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

As Thailand enjoys a long holiday, the tourism industry in Chanthaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima faces disruptions, with a surge in room cancellations linked to concerns over a border dispute with Cambodia. The tension, sparked by fears surrounding Cambodia's PHL-03 rocket launcher range, has deterred tourists from visiting these regions, impacting local economies.

 

Poompat Tangcharoensiri, President of the Chanthaburi Tourism Association, reported a 30-40% cancellation rate for bookings, despite hotels and attractions remaining operational under martial law. Many potential visitors are staying away until tensions ease, especially after social media highlighted the threat of the rocket launcher, which could reach inner provinces like Rayong.

 

Domestic tourists are opting for alternative destinations such as Pattaya and Chon Buri, which are closer to Bangkok, according to Mr. Poompat. He warned that the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday might see a 20% drop in bookings year-on-year, urging the government to provide clearer guidance to prevent panic.

 

Chanthaburi's popular coastal spots are about 50-60km from the Cambodia border. The Ban Laem checkpoint remains operational for Cambodians returning home. Mr. Poompat called for government intervention to aid struggling businesses once the situation stabilises, suggesting special measures alongside the existing domestic co-payment scheme.

 

This year’s first five months already saw a 500 million baht (around 13.5 million GBP) drop in tourism revenue in Chanthaburi due to economic challenges, a decline expected to worsen.

 

In Nakhon Ratchasima, despite not being a border province, Rungroj Santadvanit of the Thai Hotels Association reported cancellations from business and leisure travellers. Event cancellations and safety concerns regarding potential rocket attacks have affected bookings, notably in leisure spots like Khao Yai, where occupancy fell to 50% from the typical 70-90% during holidays.

 

While some hotels in neighbouring areas such as Korat and Khao Yai still have visitors, those coming for business tend to avoid overnight stays due to safety worries. Meanwhile, hotels in Buri Ram and Ubon Ratchathani have experienced complete cancellations.

 

"Operators are hoping for a swift resolution to avoid further economic damage," stated Mr. Rungroj. He noted the risk of temporary closures if the dispute persists and suggested the Finance Ministry's forthcoming tax incentives could help, alongside promoting upcountry meetings by public and government bodies.

 

As the situation unfolds, both provinces remain hopeful for governmental support and a return to more stable and welcoming times for tourists.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-30

 

 

[ozz1]

Unfortunately the damage is done to international tourism it's going to be a slow high season for many

[newbee2022]

....and that's all because of an ancient Khmer temple.... unbelievable 🥴

[BayArea]

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

....and that's all because of an ancient Khmer temple.... unbelievable 🥴

be careful, there are some ultra nationalist Thais who believe its a Thai temple as they believe any temple is " Thai" within their borders. its simply nonsense, but don't tell them that to their faces. 

[Purdey]

Putting its eggs into one (tourism) basket is now reaping its rewards for Thailand. Diversification of income sources would have helped but no, that requires an educated population. 

Sorry to read these negative news items but they are the result of years of not building a diverse economy.

[newbee2022]

19 minutes ago, BayArea said:

be careful, there are some ultra nationalist Thais who believe its a Thai temple as they believe any temple is " Thai" within their borders. its simply nonsense, but don't tell them that to their faces. 

Right.

Even they would lose their face if they admit it to be Cambodian soil.

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Unfortunately the damage is done to international tourism it's going to be a slow high season for many

Other Asian countries looking a much safer bet

[sammieuk1]

On the bright side their armored plated baht has been totally unaffected🤔

[BayArea]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Right.

Even they would lose their face if they admit it to be Cambodian soil.

Exactly!!

[portisaacozzy]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

As Thailand enjoys a long holiday, the tourism industry in Chanthaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima faces disruptions, with a surge in room cancellations linked to concerns over a border dispute with Cambodia. The tension, sparked by fears surrounding Cambodia's PHL-03 rocket launcher range, has deterred tourists from visiting these regions, impacting local economies.

 

Poompat Tangcharoensiri, President of the Chanthaburi Tourism Association, reported a 30-40% cancellation rate for bookings, despite hotels and attractions remaining operational under martial law. Many potential visitors are staying away until tensions ease, especially after social media highlighted the threat of the rocket launcher, which could reach inner provinces like Rayong.

 

Domestic tourists are opting for alternative destinations such as Pattaya and Chon Buri, which are closer to Bangkok, according to Mr. Poompat. He warned that the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday might see a 20% drop in bookings year-on-year, urging the government to provide clearer guidance to prevent panic.

 

Chanthaburi's popular coastal spots are about 50-60km from the Cambodia border. The Ban Laem checkpoint remains operational for Cambodians returning home. Mr. Poompat called for government intervention to aid struggling businesses once the situation stabilises, suggesting special measures alongside the existing domestic co-payment scheme.

 

This year’s first five months already saw a 500 million baht (around 13.5 million GBP) drop in tourism revenue in Chanthaburi due to economic challenges, a decline expected to worsen.

 

In Nakhon Ratchasima, despite not being a border province, Rungroj Santadvanit of the Thai Hotels Association reported cancellations from business and leisure travellers. Event cancellations and safety concerns regarding potential rocket attacks have affected bookings, notably in leisure spots like Khao Yai, where occupancy fell to 50% from the typical 70-90% during holidays.

 

While some hotels in neighbouring areas such as Korat and Khao Yai still have visitors, those coming for business tend to avoid overnight stays due to safety worries. Meanwhile, hotels in Buri Ram and Ubon Ratchathani have experienced complete cancellations.

 

"Operators are hoping for a swift resolution to avoid further economic damage," stated Mr. Rungroj. He noted the risk of temporary closures if the dispute persists and suggested the Finance Ministry's forthcoming tax incentives could help, alongside promoting upcountry meetings by public and government bodies.

 

As the situation unfolds, both provinces remain hopeful for governmental support and a return to more stable and welcoming times for tourists.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-30

 

 

definitely fake news,bookings are up and the tours of shell holes.!

[Myran]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Right.

Even they would lose their face if they admit it to be Cambodian soil.

Can you stop spreading this uninformed nonsense? Thailand has accepted both verdicts from the ICJ regarding the temple and it's immediate surrounding area belonging to Cambodia, and are making absolutely no claims on it. The issue is that Cambodia is now claiming that a much larger area around the temple belongs to them, which is why they are yet again trying to make Thailand go to the ICJ.

[Sydebolle]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

....and that's all because of an ancient Khmer temple.... unbelievable 🥴

Not quite so, it is because of an oligarch kid in the kindergarten called "Thailand Elite" named Thaksin misbehaved and thought to be mightier than the mighty. After getting overrun by the political bus 19 years ago he continued to throw his own sister and six weeks ago his youngest daughter under the same bus. 

On the other side of the play pen there is another geek called Hun Sen who parked his three sons befittingly in key positions within the Cambodian government. He never managed to rename the country into Hunland, likewise Thaksinland never materialized. 

These two individual persons, their ego, their corrupt mind and endless greed for power and money are directly responsible for this absolutely avoidable mess which will leave scars in the economies of both countries and will take generation(s) to heal the hatred and rift between these two people who are so similar to each other. 

The Khmer temples, from Western Thailand across both sides of the Dongrek mountain chain to the morning temple of Wat Phu in Southern Laos' province of Champasak are Khmer, not Cambodian, not Laotian and not Thai. All these political definitions of country names today were nowhere a few hundred years ago, lest a thousand years ago when those temples were built! 

[black tabby12345]

In terms of economy, travel/tourism sector is always the first causality of the war.

 

Very few people willing to travel to war zone.

 

Except for some dedicated journalists.

[proton]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

....and that's all because of an ancient Khmer temple.... unbelievable 🥴

 

Because of Thailand not accepting decisions on the border for decades