Saturday, July 26, 2025
As tension builds up on the Thailand-Cambodia border, Indian Embassy in Thailand has put out a travel advisory asking Indian nationals not to visit seven provinces along the border area. The precautionary measure comes after a recent spate of violence in regions both countries have long claimed that has escalated in recent months.
In its statement, the embassy emphasized that all travelers should stay informed about the evolving situation by consulting official sources, including updates from Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT Newsroom). This advice comes as the situation near the border grows increasingly volatile, with reports of armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces.
The advisory was issued in conjunction with statements from Thai authorities, who have expressed growing concern about the escalation of the conflict. The acting Prime Minister of Thailand warned that the situation had deteriorated significantly, with acts of intrusion and aggression becoming more frequent. He cautioned that the risk of the conflict escalating into a full-scale war remained high, with heavy weapons being used in the ongoing confrontations.
Thai officials have issued travel warnings for over 20 areas across multiple provinces. Affected regions include Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat. These areas have witnessed some of the fiercest fighting, with armed exchanges, shelling, and rocket attacks becoming commonplace.
The situation took a dramatic turn on Thursday when violent clashes broke out along the border, resulting in at least 16 fatalities and numerous injuries. Among those who lost their lives were children, a soldier, and civilians, while dozens more were injured. The Thai military reported that 15 soldiers and 30 civilians had sustained injuries in the violence. In total, tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas away from the conflict zone.
Thailand’s military forces have been engaged in airstrikes on Cambodian territory in response to the violence. According to reports, Cambodian forces have been using heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket launchers, prompting retaliatory strikes from Thai forces. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaging in heavy fire exchanges.
In addition to the physical toll, the violence has led to a humanitarian crisis, with more than 58,000 people displaced across the affected provinces. Cambodian officials have confirmed the evacuation of more than 4,000 individuals from border-adjacent areas, relocating them to safer regions.
This recent escalation represents the second major clash between Thailand and Cambodia in the past few months. The tensions initially flared in May, following the fatal shooting of a Cambodian soldier, which led to diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The most recent escalation came shortly after both countries downgraded their diplomatic relations in response to a landmine explosion that injured several Thai soldiers.
Given the rapidly changing situation, Indian nationals planning to travel to Thailand are strongly urged to exercise caution and stay updated on the latest developments. Travelers are urged to rethink non-essential travel to the impacted provinces and steer clear of regions near the Thailand-Cambodia border, where the situation remains unstable.
For further information and real-time updates, travelers are encouraged to monitor official channels and local news sources. Safety and security should remain the top priority for anyone planning to visit Thailand during this uncertain period.
In conclusion, the current violence happening on the Thailand/Cambodian border has increased humanitarian concerns and danger for tourists. In a retaliatory move, the Indian Embassy has released an urgent travel advisory suggesting its citizens to not travel to the affected provinces which witnessing increasing tension and an escalation of armed fighting. With hundreds dead and many thousand displaced, the situation is still fragile and travelers are implored to keep themselves informed through the authorities. As the situation on the ground evolves quickly, anyone with plans to visit or currently in the border regions of Thailand, safety should be number one.
