Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Brings Cambodia’s Tourism To A Standstill At Angkor Wat, ‘Tourists Are Scared’ And Avoid The Iconic Temple

Published on December 24, 2025

The ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has brought tourism in Cambodia to an unexpected halt, particularly at the iconic Angkor Wat temple. With violent clashes escalating near the border, tourists are increasingly avoiding the UNESCO World Heritage site, fearing safety risks. This conflict, which has led to the closure of overland crossings and heightened security concerns, has cast a shadow over Cambodia’s thriving tourism industry, leaving businesses at Angkor Wat struggling to cope with a sharp decline in visitors. As a result, the normally bustling site now stands eerily quiet, with tourism levels plunging to historic lows.

A tour guide at Cambodia’s Angkor temple ruins, once bustling with visitors, is now finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the ongoing conflict with Thailand. Despite being high season, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Siem Reap has seen a significant drop in tourism, leaving businesses struggling. Located just a two-hour drive from the Thai border, the ancient temples have become eerily quiet as the region is affected by the violent clashes that have plagued the border area for several weeks. The conflict, which has led to the deaths of dozens, has disrupted both local tourism and the broader economic activity that depends on it.

The peaceful surroundings of Angkor, Cambodia’s most iconic tourist attraction, have been overshadowed by the deadly clashes. Once teeming with international visitors, the stone structures of the ancient temples now stand in silence, an unfortunate result of the recent conflict between Cambodia’s neighbor, Thailand, and Cambodia. Travel cancellations due to the violence have had a profound impact on tourism, and businesses in the area are feeling the pressure. The downturn in visitors has prompted alarm within the tourism sector, which makes up around 10 percent of Cambodia’s GDP.

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia escalated in May, when the fighting once again reignited after a period of relative calm. As the fighting intensified, both countries closed their overland border crossings, further complicating the tourism landscape. The impact of these closures has rippled through the region, with tourist arrivals sharply falling. Tour operators, vendors, and transport providers in both Siem Reap and Bangkok have reported massive declines in business as the flow of tourists has dried up. In the wake of these closures, many businesses that rely on cross-border tourism are facing an uncertain future.

The founder of a local tour agency in Cambodia shared that bookings for tours to the Angkor temples had dropped significantly in recent months. Since the conflict escalated, his company, like many others, has seen a steady decrease in tourists, with no signs of a quick recovery. The drop in tourism to Angkor Wat is not isolated—tuk-tuk drivers and other tourism-related services have also felt the squeeze, with income levels halving in some cases.

The tourism industry in Cambodia has been an essential part of its economy for years. With a record-breaking 6.7 million international visitors arriving in Cambodia last year, the tourism sector has been a major driver of growth. However, the impact of the conflict with Thailand has been harsh. From June to November, ticket sales to Angkor Wat dropped by at least 17 percent year-on-year. The downturn in revenue from Angkor ticket sales is just one part of the larger issue. The downturn was particularly steep after July’s deadly clashes, which claimed dozens of lives and led to an even deeper decline in tourist arrivals. The once-popular attractions are now seeing fewer visitors, which has hit local businesses hard, especially those that rely heavily on the international tourist trade.

The situation is also having significant effects on businesses in Thailand. In the Thai capital, approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) from Angkor Wat, minivans and buses that once transported tourists to the historic site now sit idle. Tour operators have reported a sharp drop in bookings for tours to Cambodia, as tourists are wary of the uncertainty surrounding the border situation. Since the closure of border crossings earlier this year, tourism has slowed to a crawl, and businesses that once flourished due to cross-border tourism are now struggling to stay afloat.

In addition to the closures of overland crossings, tour agencies in both Thailand and Cambodia are facing the ongoing challenge of navigating the instability and unpredictability brought about by the conflict. With fighting continuing in the border regions, travelers have become increasingly hesitant to make the trip to Cambodia, choosing to delay or cancel their visits. In the tourism-dependent areas of Siem Reap and Bangkok, the ongoing violence has created an atmosphere of uncertainty that has made it difficult for businesses to plan for the future.

One of the biggest casualties of the conflict has been the transportation networks that once facilitated travel between the two countries. Minivans and buses that shuttled tourists from Thailand to Angkor Wat have either halted service or are operating at a significantly reduced capacity. The cancellation of bus trips to the border has led to widespread disruption of tourist services in both countries. For tour operators in Siem Reap, it’s become an uphill battle to find ways to keep their businesses afloat during this time of turmoil.

The broader economic impact on Cambodia’s tourism industry cannot be overstated. With a decrease in the number of tourists visiting Cambodia and particularly the Angkor Wat temple complex, businesses are feeling the pinch. Local vendors, tuk-tuk drivers, hotels, and tour guides who once relied on the steady flow of international visitors are now scrambling to make ends meet.

Despite the setbacks, efforts are being made by local tourism authorities in both countries to revive the tourism sector. However, the path to recovery will likely be long and challenging. For now, the future of Cambodia’s Angkor temples as a major tourist destination remains uncertain. It will depend on both the resolution of the political and military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and the ability of businesses to adapt to the rapidly changing situation.

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict has caused a significant decline in tourism at Angkor Wat, with visitors avoiding the iconic temple due to safety fears amid escalating clashes. This has left Cambodia’s tourism industry struggling as tourists are scared to visit.

the tourism industry in both Cambodia and Thailand is facing an uphill battle due to the ongoing conflict. The once-thriving tourist scene at Angkor Wat and surrounding areas has been severely impacted by the violence, leading to sharp declines in business for local tour operators, drivers, and vendors. With overland border crossings closed and political tensions on the rise, it remains to be seen when, or if, the flow of visitors will return to its previous levels. For now, both countries must navigate the complexities of this crisis as they work toward stabilizing their tourism economies.