Thailand-Cambodia War 2025 Dec: Safety Guide for Travellers

If you live in Thailand or are planning to travel within the country, you’ve probably seen alarming headlines about a “Thailand–Cambodia war” or mass evacuations near the border. Here’s the updated picture as of December 2025, and what it actually means for residents and visitors.

Residents and travellers should understand where the risks really are, what is affected, and — just as importantly — what is not.

What is actually happening right now?

Since early December, Thai and Cambodian forces have exchanged artillery fire along parts of their shared border, particularly near long-disputed zones close to historic temple sites, prompting large-scale evacuations and emergency measures.

However, this is not a nationwide war, and daily life across most of Thailand continues as normal. The situation is serious, but geographically contained.

As a result:

• More than 500,000 civilians have been displaced across both countries
• Thai authorities have evacuated residents from parts of Sa Kaeo, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buriram and Ubon Ratchathani
• Temporary shelters are operating in schools, temples and public buildings
• On the Cambodian side, similar evacuations are under way in border provinces

This is one of the largest border flare-ups in years, not because it is new, but because of its scale and intensity.

If you live in Thailand: what should you actually do?

For most residents, daily life outside border provinces remains unaffected. Major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and other tourist hubs continue with normal routines — transport networks, hospitality services, schools and businesses operate as usual, and there have been no widespread disruptions reported in central or southern Thailand.

However, if you live, work, or often travel near the eastern and northeastern border, taking practical precautions is important because:

• Official advisories discourage travel within ~50 km of the Thailand–Cambodia border due to active hostilities and unpredictable fighting conditions.
• Temporary land border crossing closures or heightened checkpoints have been reported, which may impact road transport and permit processing.
• Some international travel advisories (including from India and other governments) now specifically urge travellers to avoid affected border regions.

Practical steps tailored to different residents:

Residents in border provinces

• Regularly check provincial and Ministry of Interior announcements for curfew, evacuation or road-closure updates.
• Register with your local embassy/consulate so you receive official security alerts.
• Keep identity documents, emergency cash, medications and essentials ready in case of sudden relocations.
• Prepare alternate routes in advance if you need to travel out of the region.

Residents in central / non-border locations

• Maintain normal routines, but stay informed via official channels so you can detect any changes that might affect travel plans.
• If you plan to visit border regions — even for work or transit — check current advisories before going.

Avoid social media rumours
Unverified social media posts can exaggerate risk or spread false alarms. Always cross-check with government travel advisories or embassy updates (U.S. Embassy, UK FCDO, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.) before making decisions.

Should travellers cancel trips to Thailand?

Official travel advisories from several countries (including India and some European foreign offices) now warn against travel within approximately 50 km of the Cambodia–Thailand border due to ongoing hostilities, unpredictable conditions, and active security alerts.

However, most government travel guidance also emphasises that:

• Central Thailand, major cities and tourist areas remain safe and unaffected by the border clashes — including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui and related destinations.
• International airports, tourist infrastructure and domestic travel services continue operating normally.
• Border crossings have been temporarily suspended or restricted in some provinces, so overland entry/exit between Thailand and Cambodia may be disrupted, but flight routes are unaffected.

Travel safety summary

• Do not cancel trips to Thailand’s main tourist destinations based on current conflict — unless your itinerary involves direct travel to the affected border regions.
• Monitor travel advisories (embassy / FCDO / U.S. State Dept) before departure and during your stay.
• Avoid touring close to the border dispute zone until authorities declare it safe.

Where exactly is the risk concentrated?

The fighting is limited to eastern and northeastern border districts, often in rural or forested areas far from major cities.

Not affected:

• Bangkok
• Chiang Mai
• Phuket
• Pattaya
• Hua Hin
• Major airports, highways and tourist infrastructure

Affected or potentially affected:

• Border districts near Cambodia
• Rural roads close to disputed zones
• Cross-border trade routes

If you are not near the border, your daily routine is unlikely to change.

Why does this border keep becoming a flashpoint?

The Thailand–Cambodia border is historically complex. Parts of it were defined using colonial-era maps that both sides interpret differently. Areas near temples such as Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom carry deep nationalist and symbolic importance.

These disputes tend to resurface during:

• Periods of political tension
• Military posturing
• Moments when negotiations stall

What makes the current situation more dangerous is the level of escalation — including sustained shelling and air support — rather than brief, symbolic skirmishes.

In short: this is a long-running dispute flaring up again, not a sudden new conflict.

Is this a real “war” between Thailand and Cambodia?

This is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions.

No, this is not a full-scale war.
There has been:

• No declaration of war
• No nationwide mobilisation
• No fighting outside specific border districts
• No impact on Thailand’s internal security nationwide

However, this is more serious than a minor border incident.

What makes it feel like “war”:

• Use of artillery and air support
• Large-scale civilian evacuations
• Strong nationalist rhetoric on both sides

What it is best described as:

• A dangerous border escalation in long-disputed territory
• Militarily contained
• Politically sensitive, but not spreading

For travellers and residents, the distinction matters: this is not a country-wide conflict, and Thailand remains stable far beyond the border zones.

What is the Thai government saying?

Bangkok’s position is firm but cautious.

The government says Thailand is:

• Acting defensively
• Protecting sovereignty
• Prioritising civilian safety

Diplomatic channels remain open, but Thai leaders have stated that formal talks should begin only after fighting on the ground stops. Border issues are politically sensitive in Thailand, and early concessions often trigger domestic backlash.

Thailand has not rejected dialogue — it is delaying it, not closing it.

Why are Malaysia, ASEAN and the US involved — and where does Trump fit in?

Malaysia is pushing for talks because it will chair ASEAN in 2025. If ASEAN cannot help calm a conflict between two of its own members, its credibility suffers.

ASEAN has:

• Issued calls for restraint
• Sent observers
• Encouraged dialogue

But it cannot force a solution without consent from both sides.

The United States, meanwhile, has signalled willingness to mediate. President Donald Trump, now back in office, has publicly suggested he could call leaders on both sides — echoing his involvement in earlier ceasefire efforts.

Why this matters for travellers:

• External pressure increases the chance of de-escalation, not escalation
• This conflict is being actively managed diplomatically
• No signs point to expansion or regional spillover

Thailand remains cautious about outside pressure, but diplomacy is very much active behind the scenes.

What happens next?

Analysts are watching three key signals:

• A sustained pause in fighting
• Signs Thailand shifts the issue from military to diplomatic handling
• Renewed talks under ASEAN or third-party facilitation

If none of these occur, clashes could continue intermittently into the dry season, when border tensions historically intensify.

Bottom line

Think of the current situation as serious but contained.

For people living far from the border, Thailand remains stable and functional. For those near affected areas, staying informed and cautious is essential.

Understanding the difference — rather than reacting to headlines — is the most important takeaway.

Note: All information above reflects the situation as of December 2025 and may change depending on military movements or diplomatic developments.