Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated over the previous week, with the 2 nations exchanging fireplace throughout a number of disputed border zones on Thursday, 24 July.
The Thai well being ministry stated 14 civilians and a soldier had been killed within the preventing to date and 46 individuals wounded. The Cambodian authorities didn’t present any such particulars however an provincial official in Oddar Meanchey stated a civilian had been killed and 5 wounded.
Tensions have run excessive between the 2 nations 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 massive numbers of vacationers every year, with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complicated and its capital Phnom Penh main attracts, whereas Thailand sees many guests in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, together with islands reminiscent of Phuket and Koh Samui.
While these hotspots are usually not positioned close to the border clashes, vacationers ought to pay attention to 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 have been reported close to the Prasat Ta Krabey web site and alongside the border separating Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani.
Footage in Thailand confirmed civilians fleeing explosions and in search of shelter in concrete bunkers.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had focused Cambodian army 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 army 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?
The FCDO travel advice for Thailand has also been updated to advise against all but essential travel to border areas with Cambodia, specifically within 50km of the border from Cambodia in 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 both countries.
“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 said. “We advise against all but essential travel to the affected border areas.”
Separately for Thailand, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border, including the Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province and southern Songkhla Province – south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.
Can I cancel my holiday?
As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Thailand or Cambodia, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.
The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it’s best to contact them if you’re looking to postpone.
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.
Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast