Thailand-Cambodia Temple Controversy: Its Impact on Current Travel Situation
The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified since early July 2025, leading to over 120,000 civilians fleeing their homes. On July 24, 2025, violent clashes broke out, resulting in at least 34 deaths (including civilians and soldiers on both sides), and fighting has taken place in multiple locations along the disputed border.
The Preah Vihear temple, an 11th-century temple, is the main point of contention in the ongoing dispute. Although the latest clashes do not directly involve disagreement over the temple itself, the longstanding sovereignty claims around this ancient Hindu temple situated on the Dângrêk Mountains continue to fuel nationalistic tensions between the two nations.
The border area near Preah Vihear has seen previous deadly clashes back in 2011, showing the temple's significance in the prolonged conflict. Given the ongoing violent clashes, the situation along the border remains highly unstable and dangerous. Multiple border areas are affected, and crossings have been closed by both countries.
Travelers are advised to avoid border areas pending further updates and official travel advisories from their governments and international agencies. Tour operators across Southeast Asia are re-routing itineraries to avoid affected areas, particularly around the Dangrek Mountain Range.
Efforts towards diplomacy are underway. Talks to end the deadly border dispute were announced on July 27, 2025, following international pressure, including from U.S. diplomatic channels, aiming for a ceasefire and easing tensions. However, as of the latest information, the conflict remains ongoing, and no ceasefire has been fully secured.
The Preah Vihear temple remains a symbolic and contested zone, though the latest violence also involves other parts of the border. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the temple lies within Cambodian territory, but the surrounding 4.6-square-kilometre land remains disputed.
The current status of the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is a renewed and serious escalation of clashes as of late July 2025, particularly around the disputed border areas including proximity to the Preah Vihear temple region. The ongoing conflict has led to significant displacement of civilians and disruption in the tourism sectors of both countries, with popular temple circuits in northern Cambodia seeing a sharp decline in footfall.
Several countries, including India, have issued travel advisories for their citizens, urging them to avoid specific areas due to the escalating border conflict. The Cambodian Red Cross has stated that at least 90,000 civilians have been displaced within Cambodian provinces bordering Thailand, and in Thailand, more than 30,000 residents have been relocated from border districts.
International agencies including the UNHCR and ICRC are coordinating relief efforts for displaced populations. The ASEAN regional bloc has called for diplomatic engagement, but bilateral talks between the two governments remain stalled. Thailand's Defence Ministry states that the military is acting in defense after "provocations" from Cambodian forces. Cambodian officials claim that Thai troops shelled civilian areas near Preah Vihear.
The advisory, issued on 24 July 2025, urges Indian nationals to avoid specific provinces due to escalating border conflict: Preah Vihear Province (Cambodia), Oddar Meanchey Province (Cambodia), Banteay Meanchey Province (Cambodia), Surin Province (Thailand), Sisaket Province (Thailand), Buriram Province (Thailand), Ubon Ratchathani Province (Thailand).
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for travelers to stay informed and follow official travel advisories from their governments and international agencies. The escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia highlights the importance of diplomatic engagement and respect for international law to prevent further violence and displacement.
- Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, centered around the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding areas, has led to a significant displacement of civilians, disruption in tourism sectors, and the closure of multiple border crossings.
- As a result of the escalating border conflict, several countries have issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid specific provinces such as Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani.
- In the midst of this renewed and serious escalation of clashes, it is crucial for citizens to stay informed, follow official travel advisories, and understand that this ongoing conflict highlights the significance of diplomatic engagement and respect for international law to prevent further violence and displacement.
