The Australian government has significantly escalated its travel advice for Cambodia, urging citizens to exercise a high degree of caution due to a volatile security situation along the country's border with Thailand.
Updated Official Warning Details
On Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) updated its guidance on the Smartraveller website, citing ongoing armed clashes, military strikes, and the presence of landmines. 'We now advise you exercise a high degree of caution overall due to ongoing conflict and its security risks,' the official advice states, adding that 'the security situation remains unpredictable.'
The warning explicitly instructs tourists not to travel to any areas within 50km of the Cambodia-Thailand border. Australians are also urged to reconsider the need to travel within an additional 30km of that border zone, which includes all of Battambang city.
Specific Regions and Provinces Affected
This extensive danger zone covers multiple provinces, including:
- Banteay Meanchey
- Oddar Meanchey
- Preah Vihear
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Pursat
- Koh Kong
Critically, all land border crossings between Cambodia and Thailand remain closed, rendering these routes non-viable for travellers.
Broader Security Threats and Government Advice
The updated advisory also highlights a broader risk of terrorist and politically motivated attacks within Cambodia. Potential targets could include tourist areas, locations frequented by foreigners, and major events or holidays that draw large crowds. 'Take official warnings seriously,' the guidance emphasises.
The Australian government recommends that anyone in Cambodia should monitor local and international media closely, heed warnings from local authorities, and make personal security their top priority.
Root of the Border Tensions
The heightened alert follows deadly clashes earlier this month for which Cambodia and Thailand have blamed each other. The violence resulted in 98 fatalities on both sides and displaced more than half a million people.
The neighbouring nations have been locked in a simmering dispute over sections of their 817 km shared border for months. According to Reuters, recent fighting has stretched from forested inland areas near Laos to coastal provinces. Thai and Cambodian officials have been engaged in talks at a border crossing since Wednesday in an attempt to resolve the ongoing issues.
