Cambodia – Thailand: When the border burns, tourism suffocates

While the authorities are trying to reassure people about the safety of major destinations, tourism operators are expressing growing disappointment at the reality on the ground and the tangible consequences of this instability for their industry.

Border clash: regional tourism on the brink of paralysis

Since 24 July 2025, a series of armed clashes along a 250 km stretch of border (from Surin to the east of the Emerald Triangle) has plunged the border provinces into a state of emergency.

 These hostilities have shattered the fragile regional peace, leading to the closure of border posts, the evacuation of more than 200,000 civilians and the declaration of martial law in key areas such as Chanthaburi and Trat.

The hinterland, linking Khmer temples and national parks, has been brutally emptied.

The once-thriving tourist circuits in the provinces of Surin, Si Saket and Oddar Meanchey (on the Cambodian side) have seen bookings collapse. The border temples, major heritage tourist attractions, are now closed to the public and guarded by military units, depriving the region of a vital source of income.

Inadequate communication efforts

Faced with concern, the Thai and Cambodian tourism authorities are hammering home a message of confidence: ‘Tourism is continuing as normal outside the restricted areas, and visitor safety is our top priority.’ Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are indeed continuing to welcome travellers — but far from the pre-crisis buzz.

Behind the scenes, professionals are criticising the ‘disconnected’ institutional communication: on the ground, tourist numbers are plummeting, particularly along the major road corridors linking the two countries.

This is compounded by a climate of suspicion and anxiety fuelled by the proliferation of fake news on social media and the omnipresence of security forces.

 Many tourists, particularly Europeans and Asians, have chosen to change or cancel their beach and cultural itineraries for fear of being caught in this ‘geopolitical trap’.

Travel agencies, local guides and hoteliers in border areas are seeing massive cancellations and the disappearance of regional customers, who are essential during the summer season.

A domino effect: economy in tatters, sector in turmoil

The consequences go beyond the tourism sector: nearly 500,000 Cambodian workers employed in Thailand are now facing enormous difficulties crossing the border, exacerbating the economic stress that has been latent since the COVID crisis. Border towns are losing income from cross-border markets, casinos, taxi services and local guides, and are also facing a loss of tax revenue and the halting of many infrastructure projects, some of them major, against a backdrop of investor withdrawal.

While major destinations continue to welcome travellers with reassuring messages, the reality is struggling to keep up: figures show stagnation or even a decline in regional tourism, just as the region was beginning to regain some momentum after the pandemic.

Reactions and unease among professionals

Despite official campaigns, frustration is palpable among Cambodian and Thai tour operators. Some are publicly denouncing a ‘code of silence on the real impact of the conflict’ and lamenting the lack of support or recovery measures. ‘We can repeat that Phnom Penh and Bangkok are safe, but the general climate is anxiety-provoking and the public is not fooled,’ admits a French-speaking tour operator in Siem Reap, adding that ‘without a rapid resumption of dialogue, the 2025 season could be the bleakest since the COVID crisis.’

Between uncertainty and hope

As long as the border remains militarised and marked by mistrust, tourism professionals in the region will not see the light at the end of the tunnel. While ASEAN mediation in Kuala Lumpur and the ceasefire offer a glimmer of hope, it will take time for the tourism image to recover — and concrete measures will be needed to regain the confidence of both travellers and local stakeholders.

Ultimately, the resilience of the Cambodian and Thai tourism sectors is once again being tested, but disillusionment and unease remain deep, sweeping away any overly optimistic rhetoric from the authorities. The region, a jewel of heritage and an economic crossroads, is a reminder that peace is never guaranteed and that the travel industry, too, is fragile in the face of political turmoil.