Thailand Border Areas with Cambodia Under Security Measures: What Travelers Need to Know

As of December 19, 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has put out a revised advisory, which mostly impacts the areas near the Cambodia Thailand border. Although travel within the rest of the country is carried out normally, the revised travel advisory points to areas with enforced security, such as the imposition of curfew and martial law. The revised advisory also points to the temporarily changed transportation in these areas, mainly the train and bus routes. The following article will summarize the situation with relevant information on the necessary steps to ensure safe travel to Thailand.

Unchanged Tourism Experience in Major Destinations
The tourism landscape in Thailand’s major cities and islands remains largely unaffected by the current security measures. Destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, and Ayutthaya continue to welcome both domestic and international visitors. Hotels, attractions, and restaurants are operating as usual, and travelers are encouraged to explore these well-established tourist hubs without concern.

For tourists planning to visit Thailand, there is no disruption to daily activities, and major tourist attractions across the country are functioning as expected. The TAT reassures the public that these areas are secure, and the nation’s tourism industry continues to operate smoothly.

Travel Disruptions in Border Regions
However, the updated advisory highlights the situation in the seven provinces along the Thailand-Cambodia border: Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat. These areas have seen heightened security due to ongoing local concerns, and travelers are advised to exercise caution.

The most significant impacts for travelers are centered around disruptions to transport services and the imposition of curfews and martial law in certain districts. Despite these challenges, the Thai government has assured that the majority of the country remains peaceful and accessible for tourists.

Security Measures and Curfews
As of December 16, 2025, a curfew in five districts of Trat—Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming, and Mueang Trat—has been lifted. This decision follows an improvement in the security situation, and daily activities have resumed as normal in these districts.

However, martial law is still in effect in certain areas, particularly in parts of Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo provinces. This includes districts such as Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Makham, Laem Sing, Kaeng Hang Maew, Na Yai Am, and Khao Khitchakut in Chanthaburi. In Sa Kaeo, martial law remains active in Khok Sung, Ta Phraya, Aranyaprathet, and Khlong Hat districts. Curfew measures in Sa Kaeo restrict movement between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. in the four affected districts, and these regulations will remain in place until further notice.

Travelers planning to visit these districts are strongly advised to follow local guidance, adhere to curfew hours, and refrain from entering restricted zones.

Disruptions to Transportation Services
While domestic and international air travel continues uninterrupted, there have been temporary disruptions to rail and bus services affecting travelers heading to Thailand’s Eastern and Northeastern regions. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has adjusted its Ordinary Trains No. 275/276 and No. 279/280, limiting their routes to only operate between Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) and Aranyaprathet. Services to the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint have been suspended indefinitely. Passengers traveling in the affected areas can contact the SRT Hotline at 1690 for further updates.

Additionally, the Transport Company Limited has temporarily closed the Kantharalak Bus Terminal in Si Sa Ket, which has impacted several bus routes. Passengers traveling on Route 98 (Bangkok – Ubon Ratchathani) and Route 4 (Bangkok – Kantharalak – Buntharik) should now use the Karnchang Intersection as a temporary boarding and drop-off point.

Recommendations for Travelers
Travelers heading to Thailand’s border areas are encouraged to follow local authorities’ guidance and exercise flexibility regarding their travel plans. Given the ongoing security measures, travelers should avoid areas marked as restricted and comply with all official advisories. In particular, travelers are urged to avoid crossing into the restricted zones along the Thailand–Cambodia border, as security forces have suspended entry and exit in these areas.

Visitors planning to travel to certain border provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat should be aware of specific closures at border checkpoints and tourist sites. These areas may include important cultural and natural landmarks that are temporarily inaccessible.

Detailed Closures at Border Areas

• Ubon Ratchathani: Chong An Ma Checkpoint (Nam Yuen) and Yod Dom Wildlife Sanctuary remain closed.
• Surin: The Prasat Ta Muen Thom/Tod, Prasat Ta Kwai, Chong Chom, and Phanom Dong Rak border zones are closed.
• Si Sa Ket: Khao Phra Wihan National Park (Pha Mo I Daeng), Chong Sa Ngam, Phanom Dong Rak Wildlife Sanctuary, and border areas near Kantharalak and Phu Sing are off-limits.
• Buri Ram: Chong Sai Taku, Ta Phraya National Park, and border zones near Ban Kruat and Lahan Sai remain closed.
• Sa Kaeo: Ban Khlong Luek Checkpoint, Rong Kluea Market (partially closed), Prasat Sdok Kok Thom, and border zones near Aranyaprathet and Khlong Hat are restricted.
• Chanthaburi: Ban Laem and Ban Phat Kad checkpoints, along with border zones near Pong Nam Ron and Soi Dao, remain closed.
• Trat: Ban Hat Lek, Ban Muen Dan, and Ban Ma Muang checkpoints remain closed.

What Travelers Should Do
Visitors planning to travel to the affected areas should regularly check official channels for updates on security measures, transportation disruptions, and local conditions. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, in collaboration with the TAT and Tourist Police units, is providing continuous updates to ensure travelers’ safety and well-being.

For real-time guidance and support, travelers can contact the TAT Call Center at 1672 or the Tourist Police Hotline at 1155 (24/7).

Future of Thailand Travel

Although there is some reason to be concerned about what is happening at present in the area surrounding the border with Cambodia, generally, most of this beautiful country is still open to tourist visitation. Informed traveler and adaptation to local standards and regulations can therefore still be expected to bring enjoyment to tourist destinations in this beautiful kingdom. The government is on board and committed to making sure this occurs.

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