Impact of Border Clashes on Vietnamese Travelers
As tensions escalate between Thailand and Cambodia, the situation has significantly affected travel plans for many Vietnamese tourists. Despite the ongoing conflict, major tourist destinations such as Bangkok and Pattaya remain largely unaffected, with vibrant activity continuing in popular areas like Central World, Siam Square, and Samyan Mirtown. However, the uncertainty surrounding the border clashes has led to a wave of cancellations and rescheduling among travelers.
Thanh Ha, a traveler from Hanoi who arrived in Bangkok on July 25, observed that the tourist zones are still bustling. She noted that places like Central World, Siam Square, and Samyan Mirtown are crowded, suggesting that the conflict has not yet impacted tourism in the city. Similarly, Tran My, who visited Bangkok on July 23, reported that she was able to explore major attractions such as Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Siam Paragon, and Safari World without any signs of disruption. Prices remained stable, and everything appeared to be running smoothly.
Nguyen Truc, a tour guide from VietGoGo, is leading a group through Bangkok and Pattaya. He emphasized that the conflict zone is located approximately 1,000 kilometers from Bangkok and 800 kilometers from Pattaya, which means most tourists are not directly affected. He also mentioned that foreign tourists in Pattaya continue to enjoy their stay, with no signs of concern.
Despite the relative calm in tourist areas, panic has spread across Vietnamese travel forums following reports of border skirmishes. On July 24, the Thai health minister confirmed 12 deaths, including 11 civilians and one soldier, after Cambodian artillery struck near the border. Thailand reported a total of 20 dead and dozens wounded, while Cambodia’s defense ministry stated that 13 were killed and at least 71 injured. This information prompted many travelers to reconsider their plans.
Vo Duy Khang, head of sales at VietGoGo, noted that July 24 marked the peak of concern for Vietnamese travelers planning to visit Thailand. The company had over 10 travelers scheduled to depart on July 25, but nearly all requested to postpone or reschedule their trips. Pham Ngoc Son, a tourist from Phu Tho, canceled a planned September trip to Thailand with his younger brother, citing concerns about safety. Although he believes that major tourist spots like Bangkok or Phuket will not be affected, he has opted to travel to China instead.
Vietnamese travel agency Du Lich Viet has also experienced changes in its Cambodia tours. In the past 10 days, three groups have removed Siem Reap from their itineraries, choosing to visit Phnom Penh or other cities instead. Bookings for Cambodia dropped by nearly 40% in June, and by July 25, clients with mid-August departures were raising concerns about safety. Deputy CEO Pham Anh Vu emphasized that nothing unusual has been reported at the scheduled destinations, and the company is maintaining close contact with partners to ensure customer safety.
Although no Thailand tours have been canceled, Vu noted that there was an unusual silence in new bookings on July 24, which is typically a busy period for travel agencies.
Escalation of Fighting Amid Ceasefire Calls
The latest clashes began on July 23 when Thai officials accused Cambodia of planting landmines in a disputed border area. This incident occurred in the same location where a previous clash in May left a Thai soldier wounded. Fighting resumed on July 24 near the Ta Moan Thom temple and spread to other border zones. By July 25, the UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting, with Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. However, fighting continued on July 26 at new locations along the border, indicating that the situation remains volatile and uncertain.