British tourists have been urged to steer clear of a major Thai holiday destination following a fresh outbreak of deadly violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent advisory warning travellers to avoid areas affected by ongoing attacks, as the conflict continues to escalate.
Authorities have specifically advised against travel within 50km of Thailand’s border with Cambodia, with the exception of only a few islands, including Koh Chang and Koh Kood, where the FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel. The latest advisory, which was updated last Friday, comes after a spike in violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, which officials said has killed at least 21 people in Thailand and 17 in Cambodia, while forcing roughly 800,000 people to flee their homes.
Tourists are also cautioned against all but essential trips to southern provinces bordering Malaysia, including Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla.
The FCDO wrote about the Thailand-Cambodia border: “In July 2025, Thailand and Cambodia fought along parts of the border. The fighting included the use of rocket and artillery fire.
“Tensions remain and fighting erupted again at various points along the border in early December. Land borders and crossings between Thailand and Cambodia continue to be suspended.
“Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple are closed.
“There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. We advise against all travel to the affected land border areas.”
US President Donald Trump has urged both nations to adhere to an earlier US-brokered ceasefire agreement in July. He stated last week that Thailand and Cambodia had reached a new ceasefire.
He described discussions with Thai and Cambodian leaders as productive and said: “It wasn’t good. And we got it, I think straightened out today, so Thailand and Cambodia is in good shape.”
However, authorities in Bangkok have rejected this claim, and clashes involving artillery, tanks, drones, and fighter jets have persisted daily following a border skirmish earlier this month that reignited the conflict.
Cambodia’s defence ministry has said that Thai forces struck Poipet on Thursday morning at around 11am, a busy casino hub town near the border, damaging several casinos and stranding thousands of Thai nationals after border closures.
The tensions between Thailand and Cambodia originate from a long-standing territorial disagreement over the colonial-era boundaries along their 500-mile border.
Both nations also lay claim to several ancient temple sites in the region, with each accusing the other of sparking the latest round of hostilities.
