Since early December 2025, clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces have intensified along their shared border, marking a renewed outbreak of hostilities following a ceasefire agreement reached in October.
The violence has involved artillery exchanges, air strikes, and shelling, resulting in dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border.
The United Nations, ASEAN member states, and other international actors have voiced concern over this escalation, calling for restraint and a swift return to dialogue.
New negotiations aimed at achieving a more durable ceasefire are scheduled, while Phnom Penh has called on Bangkok to hold the talks in a “safe and neutral” location to ensure the security of the discussions.
This deterioration of the regional security environment is also reflected in administrative measures governing cross-border travel. Since August 2025, foreign tourists holding an electronic visa (e-Visa) have no longer been permitted to enter Cambodia from Thailand via the land border crossings of Cham Yeam (Koh Kong Province) and Poipet (Banteay Meanchey Province).
A diplomatic advisory for travelers transiting through Bangkok
On December 16, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in France issued a “Travel advisory for travelers to Cambodia transiting through Bangkok (Thailand)”, intended to inform travelers that “difficulties have on occasion been reported during air transit at Bangkok Airport (Thailand).”
The embassy reports that some “European passengers in transit have been subjected to excessive and unacceptable checks,” outlining practices that may affect travel preparations.
According to the diplomatic mission, these include “prolonged interrogations prior to boarding,” as well as “unreasonable requests for proof of financial resources” and “detailed verification of accommodation reservations in Cambodia.”
Baggage-related incidents and their impact upon arrival
Beyond administrative checks, the advisory also highlights problems related to baggage handling, noting that “in some cases, these controls have been followed by incidents related to searches and baggage handling, resulting notably in the loss of checked luggage, which has been observed upon arrival in Phnom Penh.”
In response to these findings, the embassy issues a clear recommendation: “as a precautionary measure, travelers are strongly advised to favor travel itineraries that do not include transit through Thailand.” The statement further encourages travelers to consider “alternative airlines offering more appropriate and favorable transit conditions for travel to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” signaling a strategic preference for avoiding transit points likely to generate additional difficulties.
The advisory nevertheless concludes on a reassuring note, emphasizing that despite the situations described, which occur outside Cambodian territory, “the Kingdom of Cambodia remains a safe and welcoming destination.”
