Travel warning: Thailand closes all borders with Cambodia

Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia amid an escalating dispute, as both countries traded attacks earlier this morning.

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 the country.

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.

Thailand claims Cambodia fired rockets and heavy artillery over the border this morning, 24 July, killing at least 12 Thai nationals. Thailand later retaliated with airstrikes on military targets. Both sides accused the other of firing the first shots.

Tourists in Thailand banned from crossing border into Cambodia

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in May that Thailand would boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists.

Only students, medical patients and others who needed to purchase essential goods would be allowed to enter or leave Thailand for Cambodia, meaning thousands of travellers have had 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 later said in a statement later 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 would 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.

Flights continue as scheduled, for now

The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia has said that flights between Cambodia and Thailand continue to operate normally for the time being.

According to Thai Airways, its flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh will continue as scheduled, with approximately 3,000 passengers holding advance bookings. Chai Eamsiri, the CEO of Thai Airways, said in a press conference on Thursday that the airline has been "closely tracking the situation" following the clashes.

"We are in close contact with the Embassy in Cambodia and are prepared to move our staff if events become more severe," he said.

This morning, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO updated its warning to travellers.

“Land borders/crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are temporarily suspended. The line of the international border near the Preah Vihear temple (‘Khaoi Pra Viharn’ in Thai) has been in dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, with occasional clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops. There have also been disputes over control of the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, which are close to the Cambodia-Thailand border. Take extra care when travelling in this area, and follow the instructions of the local authorities.”

Thailand calls out scam networks luring foreign tourists

Last month, the Thai government said its border restrictions were 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.