Quick summary
All seven land border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia remain closed to travelers as of February 2026, with no reopening date announced. The closures, in effect since June 2025, force travelers on multi-country itineraries to fly between Bangkok and Siem Reap or Phnom Penh—adding $150–$200 per person to trip costs. The US Embassy renewed its “Do Not Travel” advisory in March 2026 for all areas within 50 kilometers of the Thai-Cambodia border across seven provinces.
The ceasefire agreed on December 27, 2025, was violated by a mortar incident on January 6, 2026. Overland routes from Bangkok to Angkor Wat—previously a $50–$100 bus journey—are indefinitely suspended, with operators like Giant Ibis terminating services.
Australians and New Zealanders planning Southeast Asia trips must now reroute itineraries that relied on overland crossings between Thailand and Cambodia. The border closure, triggered by escalating tensions in mid-2025, has eliminated the most cost-effective travel corridor between Bangkok and Siem Reap.
Fly between the two countries. Book flexible tickets. Monitor embassy alerts daily.
The closure affects all travelers transiting between Thailand’s eastern provinces and Cambodia’s northwestern border towns. Popular crossings at Aranyaprathet-Poipet and Kantharalak are shuttered, with no timeline for reopening. Thailand’s State Railway has terminated the Eastern Line at Sa Kaeo, 90 kilometers short of the border.
What closed and when
Thailand shut all land borders with Cambodia in late June 2025 after artillery exchanges killed 48 people and displaced over 500,000 residents by year-end. A ceasefire brokered on December 27, 2025, collapsed within 10 days when a mortar struck Ubon Ratchathani province on January 6, 2026.
The US Embassy in Bangkok renewed its advisory in March 2026, designating 50-kilometer zones in seven provinces as no-travel areas: Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Border temples including Ta Muen Thom and the Emerald Triangle are now militarized zones with reports of unexploded ordnance.
| Crossing | Status | Province | Last open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aranyaprathet-Poipet | Closed | Sa Kaeo | June 2025 |
| Kantharalak | Closed | Si Sa Ket | June 2025 |
| Chong Chom-O Smach | Closed | Surin | June 2025 |
| Ban Laem-Daung | Closed | Trat | June 2025 |
Cambodia reaffirmed on March 19, 2026, that it recognizes only colonial-era borders defined by French treaties in 1904 and 1907, rejecting any territorial changes imposed by force. The statement, delivered via the Indo-China CME commission, cited the international legal principle of uti possidetis juris—borders remain as they were at independence.
Flights between Bangkok and Phnom Penh operate normally. Thai Airways flight TG581 runs daily at $150 one-way, with 95% load factors. Bangkok-Siem Reap routes via AirAsia and Bangkok Airways show no disruptions, though travelers should note that Cambodia Angkor Air requires reconfirmation 24 hours prior due to schedule consolidations on domestic routes.
Flight deals
most people never see
Our AI monitors 150+ airlines for pricing anomalies that traditional search engines miss. Air Traveler Club members save $650 per trip per person on average: see how it works.
Each deal saves 40–80% vs. regular fares:
How this changes trip planning
The closure eliminates the overland corridor that previously allowed travelers to move between Bangkok and Siem Reap for $50–$100 via bus. That route is now a $150–$200 flight, adding $300–$400 to a couple’s itinerary.
Insurance policies typically exclude coverage in areas under government “Do Not Travel” advisories. Travelers who book trips assuming borders will reopen face claim denials if they need to reroute. The 50-kilometer advisory zones cover popular sites including Phanom Rung temple in Buri Ram and coastal areas near Koh Chang in Trat—though the islands themselves remain accessible and safe via ferry.
Multi-country itineraries now require either direct flights or detours through Ho Chi Minh City. A Bangkok-Saigon-Phnom Penh routing via AirAsia costs around $200 round-trip but adds 6–8 hours of travel time compared to the former 5-hour bus journey.
Domestic Thai transport to border provinces operates with minor delays. Flights to Ubon Ratchathani and Buriram airports continue, though military activity occasionally causes 15–30 minute holds. The State Railway’s Eastern Line terminates at Sa Kaeo, 90 kilometers from the Aranyaprathet crossing, with no onward bus connections available.
For travelers already holding tickets on suspended bus routes, operators including Giant Ibis have ceased operations with no refund mechanism in place. Check flight options to Cambodia from Australasia for current routing alternatives.
Reroute now, monitor daily
The border closure has no end date and depends on political developments in both countries that remain unpredictable.
- Book flights only: Use Bangkok-Phnom Penh (Thai Airways TG581, $150) or Bangkok-Siem Reap (Bangkok Airways, $180). Choose flexible fare classes that allow free changes—standard economy tickets on Thai Airways permit one change for $50.
- Subscribe to embassy alerts: Register with travel.state.gov (US), smartraveller.gov.au (Australia), or gov.uk/foreign-travel (UK) for real-time updates. Alerts typically arrive 24–48 hours before policy changes.
- Verify insurance coverage: Confirm your policy does not exclude “Do Not Travel” zones. If it does, purchase a supplemental policy that covers advisory-level destinations—expect to pay 20–50% more than standard travel insurance.
- Avoid border provinces: Do not travel within 50 kilometers of the Thai-Cambodia border in Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Chanthaburi, or Trat. Coastal islands in Trat are accessible but check current advisories before booking.
- Reconfirm Cambodian flights: If connecting through Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, reconfirm 24 hours prior. Cambodia Angkor Air consolidates flights on low-demand routes, and schedule changes are common.
Watch: Announcements from the Joint Boundary Committee via Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Past border reopenings (2011) took 3 months post-ceasefire—assume a similar timeline if a new agreement is reached.
Questions? Answers.
Can I travel to Thai islands like Koh Chang despite the advisory?
Yes. Koh Chang and Koh Kood in Trat province fall within the 50-kilometer advisory zone but remain accessible and safe. Ferry services from mainland Trat operate normally. The advisory reflects proximity to potential conflict areas, not active danger on the islands. However, insurance policies may exclude coverage in advisory zones—verify your policy before booking.
Are there alternative overland routes through Laos or Vietnam?
No verified overland crossings exist between Thailand and Cambodia as of February 2026. All seven direct border points are closed. A detour through Vientiane, Laos, or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, requires flights at each leg, adding $200–$300 and 2–3 days to the journey. Flying directly between Bangkok and Phnom Penh is faster and often cheaper than multi-stop overland routing.
What happens if I already booked a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap?
Operators including Giant Ibis have suspended all Thailand-Cambodia routes with no announced restart date. Contact the operator directly for refund policies—many have ceased operations entirely, leaving passengers with no recourse. If you booked through a third-party platform, file a claim there. For future bookings, use airlines with flexible change policies rather than bus operators.
Will the border reopen before my trip in April 2026?
No reopening date has been announced. The ceasefire agreed on December 27, 2025, collapsed within 10 days. Thailand’s February 8, 2026, elections and Cambodia’s sovereignty stance make near-term resolution unlikely. Historical precedent (2011 reopening) suggests 3 months post-ceasefire at minimum. Plan itineraries that do not depend on land crossings—assume closures will persist through mid-2026.
Do Thai Airways flights between Bangkok and Phnom Penh face disruptions?
No. Thai Airways flight TG581 operates daily with 95% load factors and no reported delays related to the border conflict. Airspace over the conflict zones is not restricted for commercial aviation. However, airports in border provinces like Ubon Ratchathani and Buriram occasionally experience 15–30 minute delays due to military activity. Book flexible fares to accommodate potential schedule changes.
