Is it secure to journey to Thailand and Cambodia? Foreign Office challenge up to date recommendation after border clashes

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated over the past week, with the 2 nations exchanging fireplace throughout a number of disputed border zones on Thursday, 24 July.

The Thai well being ministry mentioned 14 civilians and a soldier had been killed within the combating to date and 46 individuals wounded. The Cambodian authorities didn’t present any such particulars however an provincial official in Oddar Meanchey mentioned a civilian had been killed and 5 wounded.

Tensions have run high between the two countries since a soldier was killed throughout gunfire in a disputed border space in late May, solely to escalate once more earlier this week after Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in a disputed territory.

Both nations appeal to giant numbers of vacationers annually, with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple advanced and its capital Phnom Penh main attracts, whereas Thailand sees many guests in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, together with islands comparable to Phuket and Koh Samui.

While these hotspots aren’t situated close to the border clashes, vacationers ought to concentrate on the closure of the crossings between the 2 nations as tensions escalate.

Where have clashes occurred?

Gunfire started early on Thursday morning close to the traditional Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, discovered alongside the border between Thailand’s Surin province and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey. Both sides accused the opposite of firing the primary pictures, initiating the assault.

Further clashes had been reported close to the Prasat Ta Krabey website and alongside the border separating Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.

Footage in Thailand confirmed civilians fleeing explosions and looking for shelter in concrete bunkers.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had focused Cambodian navy positions in a number of locations. One of Thailand’s six F-16 fighter jets launched an assault, destroying what Thai officers described as a Cambodian navy goal.

Has the shared border closed?

Thailand has ordered the closure of all of the crossings alongside its 817km border shared with Cambodia, areas of that are undemarcated.

What is the UK authorities’s recommendation?

In its travel advice for Cambodia, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has suggested in opposition to all however important journey inside 50km from the border with Thailand in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

The FCDO journey recommendation for Thailand has additionally been up to date to advise in opposition to all however important journey to frame areas with Cambodia, particularly inside 50km of the border from Cambodia within the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.

“There are reports of fighting, including rocket and artillery fire on 24 July between Thailand and Cambodia at several locations along the border,” it wrote for each nations.

“Casualties have been reported, as well as evacuations of areas close to the border. Land borders/crossings between Thailand and Cambodia have been 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 currently closed.

“There are also unexploded landmines in the border area,” the FCDO mentioned. “We advise against all but essential travel to the affected border areas.”

Separately for Thailand, the FCDO advises in opposition to all however important journey to elements of the south, close to the Thailand-Malaysia border, together with the Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province and southern Songkhla Province – south of the A43 highway between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the practice line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.

FCDO additionally advises in opposition to all however important journey on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar practice line that runs by these provinces.

Can I cancel my vacation?

As the FCDO has not warned in opposition to non-essential journey to Thailand or Cambodia, there will likely be no particular circumstances in place to have the ability to cancel a visit for a full refund.

The situations for cancelling your journey will likely be dependent in your vacation supplier, so it’s greatest to contact them for those who’re trying to postpone.

There is not any obligation for firms to refund bookings if you wish to cancel, and also you won’t be able to assert in your journey insurance coverage because of security issues except authorities recommendation adjustments.

Check your insurance coverage insurance policies and converse to your insurer to see the place you stand.

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