Cambodia insists tourism remains safe despite border clashes

Cambodia is working hard to reassure travellers that its main tourism centres remain safe, even as fighting continues along the frontier with Thailand. The message from industry leaders is clear: the conflict may be unsettling, but it is far from the country’s key visitor destinations.

Tourism operators say the immediate impact on travel has been limited. Flights between the two countries are still running normally, according to Cambodia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The real disruption is on land, where border crossings have been shut since June, cutting off the popular overland route between Saigon and Bangkok. For backpackers and slow travellers, that closure has already reshaped regional itineraries.

The concern now is what happens if the conflict drags on. Steve Lidgey, general manager of Travel Asia a la Carte, warns that prolonged uncertainty could push future visitors to look elsewhere. “The longer things continue, future bookers might decide to go elsewhere for their trip,” he said, noting that Thailand could face the same hesitation.

Several governments, including the US, France and the UK, have issued travel advisories urging people to avoid areas within 50 kilometres of the border. Crucially, this does not affect Cambodia’s major tourism hubs: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, the southern coast or the islands. The only exception is Koh Kong province, which sits directly on the frontier.

Tourism leaders are therefore doubling down on reassurance. “We are emphasising it’s safe to travel to the majority of Cambodia, and there’s no need to go near the Thai border,” Lidgey said. He also pointed out that some Thai islands popular with international tourists — Koh Chang, Koh Muk and Koh Kood — fall within the advisory zone.

For now, the sector remains steady. Sinan Thourn, chairman of PATA Cambodia and IMCT Co., says he has seen no cancellations linked to the tensions and no disruption to tourism services. “Travellers can continue to move freely and safely throughout the country,” he said.

“Cambodia remains a safe destination to visit, and there are no restrictions affecting travellers in any tourism zones.”

The industry’s hope is that confidence holds. But with the border conflict still evolving, the question is whether reassurance will be enough to keep visitors coming through the high season.

-2025-12-12