Dutch Ministry Issues Code Red for Thai-Cambodian Border: Travel Warning Expansion Due to Rockets and Unpredictable Fighting

Published on December 12, 2025

The serene image of Southeast Asia, often synonymous with backpacking trails and tranquil temples, has been sharply contradicted by a severe and urgent warning from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Citing “dangerous and unpredictable” conditions, the Ministry has dramatically expanded its Code Red travel advisory for the entire land border region between Thailand and Cambodia.

This extreme measure—the strictest possible travel warning—comes in response to a volatile escalation of a long-simmering border dispute. Since December 8, 2025, renewed fighting has broken out between the Thai and Cambodian armies, involving the use of rockets and resulting in casualties on both sides. This sudden surge in violence has effectively ruptured a fragile ceasefire that was put in place just months prior in October 2025.

The Expansion of the ‘Red Zone’

The gravity of the updated warning cannot be overstated. The Dutch Ministry has now applied the Code Red advisory to a zone stretching 50 kilometers in either direction along the entirety of the Thai-Cambodian land border. This move more than doubles the previous region of concern, sending an unequivocal message to Dutch citizens: “Whatever your situation, do not travel there. It’s too dangerous.”

A Code Red classification means the risk level is deemed extreme, typically reserved for areas experiencing war, active conflict, or severe terrorist threats. The primary concern is the unpredictable nature of the conflict, which involves the firing of rockets and other heavy weaponry, making civilian life inherently unsafe. Furthermore, the escalation is threatening to undo the recently negotiated peace agreement, suggesting a return to a sustained period of tension.

For travelers, this poses immediate logistical challenges, as the Dutch government has warned that its capacity to provide consular assistance via the embassy in Bangkok or the consulate offices in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap would be severely limited in the affected areas. The land border crossings are essentially closed to foreigners, preventing crucial cross-border transit.

Notably, the popular Thai islands of Ko Chang and Ko Kut, which are geographically near the region but removed from the land conflict, are specifically excluded from the heightened Code Red alert.

A Layered Warning System for the Region

While the Thai-Cambodian border represents the most extreme threat, the Dutch Ministry’s advisory for the region is a complex, layered warning reflecting various security concerns across Southeast Asia:

• Code Orange for Southern Thailand and Myanmar Border: Outside of the Red Zone, a Code Orange warning is in place for the southernmost portion of Thailand and the region bordering Myanmar. A Code Orange designation advises against all non-essential travel. The reasons here are twofold:
  • Myanmar Border: Unclear border markings, ongoing military operations by Myanmar forces, and the presence of human traffickers and drug gangs create an unstable environment.
  • Southern Insurgency: Closer to the Malaysian border, rebel groups remain active, regularly carrying out attacks, including bombings, primarily targeting Thai police and army checkpoints and infrastructure.
• Code Yellow for the Rest of Thailand and Cambodia: For the majority of Thailand and Cambodia, including the major tourist hubs like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Siem Reap, a Code Yellow advisory remains in effect. This code indicates that travel is possible but requires a heightened state of caution due to elevated security risks compared to the Netherlands. Travelers are advised to remain vigilant, be aware of local political stability, and adhere strictly to local laws.

The Human Cost and International Fallout

The decision to issue such a stark warning highlights the serious human cost of the border dispute. Earlier in the summer, the area saw dozens of fatalities before the temporary ceasefire was brokered. The renewed violence since December 8, 2025, has already reportedly led to injuries and further displacement of thousands of people who have fled their homes on both sides of the border.

The escalation of the conflict has prompted international concern, with other nations, including the United States, issuing similar warnings advising citizens to avoid travel within 50 kilometers of the border. This collective global response underscores the severity of the threat and the risk it poses to the broader regional stability of the ASEAN community.

For Dutch travelers planning a trip to the region, the message is unambiguous: enjoy the yellow zones with caution, but treat the red zones as absolute exclusion areas where consular assistance is not guaranteed and personal risk is dangerously high. The vibrant tourism industry of Thailand and Cambodia coexists, for now, with pockets of very real, active conflict that demand respect and vigilance.