Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Prompt Travel Warnings

The Indian Embassy in Thailand has issued a travel advisory urging Indian nationals to stay informed and avoid certain areas near the Thailand-Cambodia border amid ongoing deadly clashes between the two nations.

In a post on X, the Embassy advised travellers to monitor official Thai sources such as the TAT Newsroom and referred to a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) alert listing locations across seven provinces that should be avoided due to the conflict.

The latest TAT advisory, updated on July 24, warns tourists against visiting several popular sites in Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Among the restricted areas are Phu Chong-Na Yoi National Park, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, and Khao Phra Wihan National Park. Visitors are advised to contact local TAT offices for further updates and assistance.

More than 100,000 people have already fled amid the fiercest border fighting in over ten years. The clashes, which began on Thursday, have involved tanks, jet fighters, and artillery, resulting in at least 15 deaths — including 14 civilians and one Thai soldier — and 46 injuries, 15 of whom are soldiers.

Over 300 temporary shelters have been established across four Thai border provinces to accommodate those displaced. While Cambodian authorities have not released their own casualty figures, shelling has been reported in Samraong, a town just 20 kilometres from the border. A local man told AFP, “We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6:00 am,” as his family fled to a nearby Buddhist temple.

Despite calls for calm from ASEAN Chair and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, hostilities resumed early Friday. The Thai army accused Cambodian forces of launching attacks with BM-21 rocket systems, prompting retaliatory strikes.

The conflict stems from a longstanding border dispute, with recent fighting reigniting in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed. Diplomatic tensions escalated on Thursday when Thailand expelled Cambodia’s ambassador, prompting Phnom Penh to downgrade ties. The UN Security Council is expected to convene urgently, with global powers including the US, France, the EU, and China calling for a ceasefire.