If you’ve got a trip planned to Cambodia, and have heard about the ongoing border conflict with Thailand, you might wonder if it’s safe to visit, or if you should even come at all. In this post, I’ll cover the current advice from various governments as of January 7th, and any changes you might want to make to your itinerary. The short version is, come visit. You’ll be fine.

Cambodia and Thailand have a long-running territorial dispute based on disagreements about maps created during the French protectorate era (and specifically about ownership of Preah Vihear temple, but rooted in a rivalry dating back hundreds of years. Every so often tensions on the border flare up in violence, most recently in 2003, 2008, and 2011. This is all to say that what has been happening over the past few months is not new, or particularly out of the ordinary.

During all prior conflicts, including the 1997 coup, there were no tourists harmed, and popular tourist destinations remained safe and were business as usual. Today, in tourist hot spot Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat, you’d be hard-pressed to know that anything was out of the ordinary, other than it’s not quite as crowded as the usual tourism high season at this time of year.

At the moment there’s an unstable truce holding between the two countries, but no permanent ceasefire agreed to as of yet.

What are the embassies saying?

Most government travel websites advise against travel within 50km of the Cambodia-Thailand border. For reference, major tourist area Siem Reap is approximately 200km from the border, and Phnom Penh is even further away. Several governments have included heat maps that suggest reconsidering travel to slightly further inland, just including Battambang. I personally would not be afraid to go to Battambang, but if you’re an anxious visitor you could give it a miss.

Most recently updated travel advisories

United Kingdom (updated December 24th)

• • Advises against all travel within 50km of the border, advises against all but essential travel within 80km

Australia (updated December 29th)

• • Advises against all travel within 50km of the border, heatmap suggests reconsidering travel within approximately 80km of the border

United States (updated January 2nd)

• • Advises against travel within 50km of the border

What should you know before traveling?

The only major issue that might affect some travelers is that the land border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand remain closed. Flights between the two countries are continuing as usual, so as long as you don’t plan to cross the border on foot, you’ll be fine. All other flights in and out of Cambodia are also operating normally.

International travelers are not experiencing any issues transiting between Cambodia and Thailand, although some report extra scrutiny when when transiting at Thai airports, so allow yourself some extra time. Cambodian nationals have been denied entry on the ASEAN visa exemption when trying to enter the country for the purpose of tourism, but are still being granted business visas from Thai embassies.

In summary…

We spoke with one long-term expat to find out what it’s like on the ground in Siem Reap. “I can assure prospective visitors that our beautiful town is perfectly safe to visit,” Robina Hanley of Siem Reap Art Tours said, explaining that everything, from the majestic temples to the local galleries and ateliers were operating as usual. “We are living in a safe haven and you will not be disappointed!” she added.

In summary, while the situation at the border remains unpredictable, tourism and services are unaffected. Cambodians want peace, and many, particularly in Siem Reap, depend on tourism to survive, so please enjoy your stay and know that you are supporting local businesses and people by visiting.