Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated over the past week, with the two countries exchanging fire across several disputed border zones on Thursday, 24 July.
The clashes have left at least nine Thai civilians dead and 14 injured, with 40,000 evacuated from dozens of villages situated near the border. Cambodia has not released any information on casualties or injuries.
Tensions have run high between the two countries since a soldier was killed during gunfire in a disputed border area in late May, only to escalate again earlier this week after Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in a disputed territory.
Both countries attract large numbers of tourists each year, with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex and its capital Phnom Penh major draws, while Thailand sees many visitors in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, along with islands such as Phuket and Koh Samui.
While these hotspots are not located near the border clashes, tourists should be aware of the closure of the crossings between the two countries as tensions escalate.
Read more: Thailand-Cambodia border clash latest
Where have clashes occurred?
Gunfire began early on Thursday morning near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, found along the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both sides accused the other of firing the first shots, initiating the attack.
Further clashes were reported near the Prasat Ta Krabey site and along the border separating Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.
Footage in Thailand showed civilians fleeing explosions and seeking shelter in concrete bunkers.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had targeted Cambodian military positions in multiple places. One of Thailand’s six F-16 fighter jets launched an attack, destroying what Thai officials described as a Cambodian military target.
Has the shared border closed?
Thailand has ordered the closure of all the crossings along its 817km border shared with Cambodia, areas of which are undemarcated.
What is the UK government’s advice?
In its travel advice for Cambodia, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the border’s closure.
“Land borders/crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are temporarily suspended,” it wrote in an update on…
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