File photo for reference only

 

The ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is making waves in the tourism sector, though its economic impact remains limited. Recent clashes have mostly affected the provinces along the border, with estimated losses pegged at around 3 billion baht.

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong highlighted that seven border provinces have borne the brunt of tourism cancellations due to the skirmishes. Nationwide, there were over 5,000 hotel room cancellations. Despite this, the country's weekly tourist numbers rose slightly, with around 618,000 foreign visitors welcomed between 21st and 27th July—an increase of 1% from the previous week. However, during the peak of the conflict from 24th to 27th July, figures stood steady at 372,000, matching the earlier period of 17th to 20th July.

 

Interestingly, the overall impact on cancellations was minimal, apart from a notable 53% drop in Cambodian tourists. In response, four countries, including Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, and the US, revised their travel advisories for Thailand. Yet, they stopped short of issuing prohibitive warnings, merely advising caution.

 

In total, 21 countries have issued general advisories, urging travellers to stay informed and avoid unnecessary travels near the border. The situation continues to be monitored closely by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the ministry, with particular attention to social media sentiments.

 

A social listening survey by TAT’s Amazing Thailand platform revealed a shift in the country’s image. Negative posts about Thailand have risen from 6.8% to 11.3%, whereas positive posts have dipped from 33.3% to 21.3%. Such shifts are not just statistics; they might influence foreign investors and tourists, who could delay their plans to travel or invest in Thailand due to these tensions and negative perceptions.

 

Minister Sorawong emphasised the need to focus on short-haul markets, which are highly sensitive to security concerns. Families and conference groups planning trips during the summer holidays are particularly wary. These markets include countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

 

Rungroj Santadvanit, president of the lower northeastern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association, painted a picture of cautious recovery within the affected border provinces. Although some tourists are making their way back, regions like Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Buri Ram remain less frequented due to ongoing safety worries. The tourism recovery rate in these areas is only about half of the usual volume, with hotel occupancy rates languishing at a low 10-15%.

 

As Thailand braces for potential longer-term impacts, efforts are being made to reassure tourists and restore confidence. Yet, this will largely depend on how swiftly and effectively the border tensions are resolved. The ministry and tourism officials are under pressure to maintain Thailand’s reputation as a sought-after destination while navigating the complexities of international perceptions and local realities.

 

The situation underscores a delicate balancing act for Thailand, seeking to preserve its booming tourism industry amidst regional conflicts, all while keeping a vigilant watch on global perceptions and advisories that could sway potential visitors.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-06

 

Talk aboutshooting themselves in the foot that and baht exchange rate its a perfect storm 

 

7 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 

The situation underscores a delicate balancing act for Thailand, seeking to preserve its booming tourism industry amidst regional conflicts, all while keeping a vigilant watch on global perceptions and advisories that could sway potential visitors.

How about placing the baht in it's rightful place?? that alone will relieve a lot of issues! TAT doesn't seem to sincere to discuss the multitude of problems facing LOS at the moment. No one with any spine wants to be the first one to raise their hand and point out the obvious. Almost every day, there's a news article regarding the decreased in tourism from blaming the low season, the earthquake, the kidnappings, the scam centers. regional competition and now it's the skirmish with Cambodia as the next fall guy. Deflection is what they do best. As long as they keep burying their collective heads in the sand, they deserved everything coming to them. 

One day it's up, one day it's down... Thailand in a nutshell

The TAT: Even Bumblebees swarm to Thailand

If they don't get this resolved, they are going to loose tourists from northern countries who come to escape harsh winters, those who come for 4.5 to 6 months each year and have to do border runs every 60 days. Any alternatives to the METV and border runs to Cambodia are just adding additional cost and headache. Forget the retirement visa due to the added cost of the covid insurance. It will be far less onerous and less costly to simply go elsewhere. Come on Thailand, get creative and change the METV so we only have to do one extension to see us through the 4.5 to 6 months without having to do a border run.

Only a couple of days ago TAT were touting record numbers of Indian visitors. I wonder why they aren’t scared, but other nationalities are?
Actually I don’t really wonder, the stats are all screwed up, all the time. It’s pointless trying to draw any conclusions from them.

Got to be the most boring and uninteresting topic, -tourist numbers.

They blame on everything but not looking at themselves.This country deserve to face the truth.

They priced themselves out and now Vietnam is the worlds second rice exporter behind India.

They will lose more and more and one day they have to stop this fake tourist numbers.

What, no tourists from Cambodia? 🫣

 

That will drive down tourism numbers this year!

12 minutes ago, norsurin said:

They will lose more and more and one day they have to stop this fake tourist numbers.

 

True. Tourism statistics were on the TAT website till the early 2000s.  Then the numbers declined, and this information (charts, etc.) was taken off... Not a sign that tourist numbers are authentic.

4 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

The TAT: Even Bumblebees swarm to Thailand

Beat me too it, was going to say a Giant Wasp.

The direct as well as the collateral damages are much much higher but that is irrelevant. The only figures to believe are those by the tourism uncles running their muppet show in Bangkok with three and four digits increases day after day. 
Just did a tour to central Isan; each and every hotel was EMPTY and we were, with one exception, the only guests for the night.

 

19 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

True. Tourism statistics were on the TAT website till the early 2000s.  Then the numbers declined, and this information (charts, etc.) was taken off... Not a sign that tourist numbers are authentic.

Fake numbers everytime.The only things they want is money and allways talk about the billions of baht this and that will bring.

Another manipulation on the numbers.  Up from last week.  How about comparing it to last year same time.

 

A friend advised the Baht may be linked to the price of Gold.  

 

Again a number of factors in play.  

Baht is strong against USD, Yuan, Yen and Rupee.

Earthquake news has probably faded.

War may deter a few until they realize it's contained along the border.

Scams, Dual Pricing give a negative image.

Chinese may be worried a little about kidnappings.

Vietnam is heavily advertised and promoted.  Currency conversion is better for some countries.

Considered low wet season.

Don't think the DAC is much of a factor.

4 hours ago, Canadian Snowbird said:

If they don't get this resolved, they are going to loose tourists from northern countries who come to escape harsh winters, those who come for 4.5 to 6 months each year and have to do border runs every 60 days. Any alternatives to the METV and border runs to Cambodia are just adding additional cost and headache. Forget the retirement visa due to the added cost of the covid insurance. It will be far less onerous and less costly to simply go elsewhere. Come on Thailand, get creative and change the METV so we only have to do one extension to see us through the 4.5 to 6 months without having to do a border run.

You forgot to mention it's virtually impossible to open a f#ck#ng bank account to obtain a retirement visa anyway. Let the morons get on with it I'm off to Vietnam 🇻🇳 

38 minutes ago, Jiggo said:

Beat me too it, was going to say a Giant Wasp.

He doesn't have the waistline for that 

6 hours ago, Toby1947 said:

You forgot to mention it's virtually impossible to open a f#ck#ng bank account to obtain a retirement visa anyway. Let the morons get on with it I'm off to Vietnam 🇻🇳 

It's not easy to open a Vietnamese bank account, would say Thailand better, and retirement visa non existence, border runs every 90 days.

In Da Nang now, it's raining

Moral of the story, don't get into silly border disputes if you want tourists.

On 8/6/2025 at 4:06 PM, snoop1130 said:

Recent clashes have mostly affected the provinces along the border, with estimated losses pegged at around 3 billion baht.

Charge that to the Thai military. 

17 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

He doesn't have the waistline for that 

White Anglo Saxon Protestants rarely do.... 😅