UK Government Advises Caution Over Thailand-Cambodia Conflict

Charlie Travel & Lifestyle 25 July 2025 | Updated On July 28, 2025 | 0

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel guidance for Southeast Asia following deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along the disputed border areas. Tensions flared again on 24 July 2025, when gunfire broke out near ancient temples along the two countries’ shared frontier.

According to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, 14 civilians and one soldier have been killed so far, with at least 46 people injured. Cambodian authorities have been less forthcoming with details, but a provincial official in Oddar Meanchey confirmed one death and five injuries on their side.

The violence reignited after months of rising tensions, stemming from an incident in May when a soldier was fatally shot in a disputed zone. This week, the conflict escalated further as Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in contested territory.

On Thursday morning, fighting erupted near the Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, situated along the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both governments blame each other for initiating the attack. Additional skirmishes occurred near the Prasat Ta Krabey temple and along the border between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.

While both nations receive a significant number of British visitors annually, the current number of UK nationals present in each remains unclear.

Are Border Crossings Closed?

Thailand has closed all land crossings along its 817-kilometre border with Cambodia as a precaution. Much of the frontier remains undemarcated and volatile.

Some border-area tourist destinations, including the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple, and Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple, are currently off-limits.

Latest Foreign Office Travel Advice

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all but essential travel within 50km of the Thai-Cambodian border in the following regions:

In Cambodia: Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces
In Thailand: The provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani

The FCDO also warns that there may be unexploded landmines in these areas, further heightening the risk for travellers.

In a separate advisory, the UK continues to warn against all but essential travel to southern Thai provinces near the Malaysian border — specifically Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla — due to ongoing insurgent activity. This includes caution for travel on the Hat Yai–Padang Besar train line.

What About British Tourists?

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in Asia for UK travellers. In 2023 alone, over 380,000 British nationals visited Thailand, according to the UK FCDO. Most visits are trouble-free, especially to tourist hotspots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui — all of which are far from the current conflict zones.

Cambodia also attracts a growing number of UK tourists, particularly to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex and the capital, Phnom Penh.

Although the clashes are confined to specific border regions, the closure of land borders may disrupt overland travel between the two countries.

Can You Cancel Your Trip?

If you're planning a holiday to Thailand or Cambodia, cancellations may not be straightforward. Because the FCDO has not issued a general warning against non-essential travel to either country, tour operators and airlines are not obliged to offer refunds or alternative arrangements.

If you’re concerned and wish to postpone or cancel your trip, check with your tour provider or airline directly. Also, review your travel insurance policy as most standard plans will only offer cancellation coverage if the FCDO advises against travel to your specific destination.

Do you have plans to travel to these destinations? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

Charlie is IaM’s resident Travel & Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager. They craft clear, engaging guides that demystify complex visa and migration rules - and then personally supports each client through every step of their journey.

Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".

When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.