Saturday, June 21, 2025
Cambodia has pulled back forty-eight percent of its travelers from Thailand this June after sudden border closures and rising regional tensions disrupted movement, pushing many tourists to favor Vietnam instead due to its lower travel costs and more accessible entry routes. This significant shift highlights how safety concerns and affordability are now reshaping regional travel decisions across Southeast Asia.
Cambodian tourist arrivals to Thailand have nosedived by 48 percent in June, marking one of the sharpest monthly declines in recent years. This sudden drop follows the temporary closure of key border crossings and rising geopolitical tensions. Combined with economic challenges in Cambodia and shifting travel preferences, the Thai-Cambodian tourism corridor now faces significant disruption.
Between January and May this year, nearly 198,000 Cambodian visitors entered Thailand. That number was already down by 14 percent compared to the same period last year. Daily arrivals averaged 1,200. But as tensions escalated and border controls tightened on June 7, the downward trend accelerated dramatically.
Arrivals from Cambodia dropped by 44 percent in the first week of the border closure. On June 14, Thai authorities recorded the steepest single-day fall, with Cambodian arrivals plunging by 81 percent. In total, only 14,758 Cambodians visited Thailand between June 1 and mid-month—a 48 percent month-on-month decline.
This steep drop highlights a growing concern for Thailand’s tourism sector. Of those who did arrive in June, 48 percent traveled by air, while 51.9 percent entered through land checkpoints. But with most key border crossings shuttered or operating under tight controls, even land-based tourism has become increasingly limited.
Economic Pressures Driving Cambodian Travelers Elsewhere
Thailand’s declining numbers don’t solely stem from political tensions. Many Cambodian travelers have started to favor Vietnam, which now offers smoother access, better road connectivity, and lower travel costs. With economic hardship impacting Cambodian households, destinations that offer more value for money are winning tourist attention.
New road networks between Cambodia and Vietnam have made cross-border travel more convenient and affordable. These infrastructure upgrades—combined with Vietnam’s competitive pricing for food, lodging, and attractions—have shifted many Cambodian travelers’ loyalty away from Thailand. As a result, Thailand’s once-popular border towns are seeing a sharp fall in foot traffic from Cambodian day-trippers and short-stay visitors.
In 2024, Thailand welcomed 553,060 Cambodian tourists. That figure was already 5 percent lower than in 2023, even before this year’s political developments. Daily visitor averages dropped from 1,500 to around 1,200 by early 2025, and June’s figures now show that the decline is accelerating.
Border Closures Disrupt Regional Tourism in Eastern Provinces
The border closures are affecting more than just arrival statistics—they’re also disrupting tourism operations in eastern Thai provinces that depend heavily on cross-border travel. Locations like Surin, Sa Kaeo, Trat, and Ubon Ratchathani have all reported declines in local tourism activity as travel confidence drops.
In Ubon Ratchathani, attractions like Phu Prasat Historical Park—located in a protected wildlife sanctuary near the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range—saw a noticeable decrease in visitors in June. The park, which typically draws tourists through the Chong An Ma checkpoint, experienced cancellations and reduced foot traffic as travelers postponed trips due to safety concerns.
In Sa Kaeo province, hotel occupancy fell as tourists, particularly from Indonesia and other third countries, canceled overnight stays meant to precede overland entry into Cambodia. Many of these travelers typically cross via the Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint, which now operates under stricter control or remains closed depending on the day.
With fewer people traveling across the Thai-Cambodian border, service providers—hotels, transport companies, guides, and small shops—are feeling the pinch. Several business owners in these regions are reporting significant drops in revenue, especially those dependent on short-haul Cambodian tourists.
Marketing Campaigns and Tourism Promotions on Hold
In response to the downturn, Thailand has paused several promotional activities targeting the Cambodian travel market. Planned marketing campaigns, scheduled to run from June through August, have been put on hold. These initiatives, which were designed to promote Thai destinations in cooperation with airlines and consulates, now await rescheduling pending border stability.
Offices managing tourism relations with Cambodia are closely monitoring developments and evaluating whether and when it will be safe and effective to relaunch these campaigns. Authorities are also assessing the feasibility of introducing incentives once travel flows resume.
Though Thailand has not yet reported a broader national tourism impact, the localized damage in border provinces is clear. Authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation and are preparing response strategies to boost regional tourism once conditions stabilize.
Thai Air Travel Between Bangkok and Cambodia Holds Steady
Despite the downturn in land-based travel, flights between Bangkok and major Cambodian cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap continue to operate. Thai-based airlines are reporting mixed performance, with some routes maintaining moderate load factors.
In June, airlines reported an average load factor of 70 percent on flights between Bangkok and Cambodia. This figure sits slightly below the 70 to 80 percent average seen during the first half of the year. However, outbound flights from Bangkok to Cambodia have performed more robustly, with load factors reaching between 90 and 100 percent. This indicates that while inbound travel is falling, there remains solid outbound demand—possibly driven by Cambodian nationals returning home or business travel continuing despite the crisis.
In response to fluctuating demand, airlines have consolidated some of their schedules. For example, two daily flights have been combined into one on select routes to optimize operations and reduce overheads. These adaptive measures are helping airlines manage costs while maintaining essential connectivity.
Long-Term Outlook Hinges on Stability
The future of Cambodian tourism to Thailand will depend heavily on how quickly border stability can be restored. With economic concerns, safety fears, and competing destinations drawing travelers away, Thailand faces a steep climb in restoring confidence among Cambodian tourists.
Local tourism authorities are exploring recovery strategies, including expanded promotions, infrastructure investments, and renewed bilateral agreements once the political climate allows. In the meantime, domestic tourism and regional travelers from other Southeast Asian nations may help fill the gap temporarily.
Cambodia has cut back forty-eight percent of its travelers to Thailand this June due to abrupt border closures and safety concerns, with many now choosing Vietnam for its lower costs and easier access.
If the situation stabilizes in the coming months, a rebound is possible, especially as Thailand gears up for the next peak travel season. But for now, the country must navigate the twin challenges of border security and economic competition in a highly sensitive regional travel market.
