Warning for Asia Travelers: Netherlands Advises Against Visiting ‘Red Zone’ Border Regions in Thailand and Cambodia Amid Deadly Clashes

Published on December 10, 2025

Southeast Asia—the land of ancient temples, electric street markets, and pristine beaches—is often the quintessential backdrop for a dreamy escape. Yet, beneath the veneer of sun-soaked tranquility, pockets of the region are grappling with grim realities: political instability, simmering insurgencies, and full-scale border warfare. Now, for those planning their next adventure, the government of the Netherlands has issued a severe and sobering reminder that not all of this paradise is safe, explicitly warning citizens against visiting certain zones in Thailand, Cambodia, and the often-overlooked borders of Myanmar.

This is more than a bureaucratic formality; it is a life-saving directive driven by real, renewed violence and the tragic displacement of families. For the mindful traveller, these warnings are a call to pause, to look beyond the popular tourist routes, and to recognise the human cost of geopolitical tensions in the region.

The Red Zone: A Line Not to Cross

The most urgent warnings are issued with a “Code Red” designation—the clearest instruction possible: Do not travel there under any circumstances. This code has been levied against a specific, volatile stretch of land: the 20-kilometre zone along the Thai-Cambodian border.

This area, which sits far from the luxury resorts and crowded temples of the main tourist hubs, has recently become a deadly front line. The Dutch Ministry’s severe advice coincides with harrowing reports of renewed clashes that claimed innocent lives. Cambodia tragically reported nine civilians killed and 20 injured, while on the Thai side, four soldiers lost their lives and nearly 70 others were wounded. These casualties are not relics of history; they are the immediate human cost of unresolved disputes between neighbouring nations, played out in the fields and villages where thousands have been forced to flee their homes.

To travel into a Code Red zone is to knowingly disregard the risk of stray shells, unexploded ordnance, and being caught in a sudden firefight. For any tourist, the risk of becoming an accidental casualty is astronomically high, and for the governments providing the warnings, the risk of a dangerous evacuation mission is simply unacceptable. The border itself is now a site of desperate humanitarian concern, with temporary shelters hastily erected in provinces like Buriram to cope with the influx of people who have lost everything. This human tragedy makes the border region an active conflict zone, and therefore, an absolute no-go area.

The ‘Orange’ Alert: Caution on the Western Edge

While the Cambodian border takes the top severity spot, other areas demand extreme vigilance, specifically the regions of Thailand bordering Myanmar. These areas have been assigned an “Orange” travel advisory. This code signifies that only absolutely essential travel should be undertaken, urging travelers to reconsider their plans entirely.

The reasons here are complex, rooted in the ongoing civil conflicts and military instability spilling over from Myanmar. The western border is often porous and unpredictable, subject to internal conflicts that can flare up without warning, jeopardising cross-border movement and local security.

The ‘Orange’ code serves as a vital distinction for travelers: it differentiates the vibrant, secure centres like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai (which remain mostly under a ‘Yellow’ alert) from the remote, politically fraught areas where infrastructure is fragile and government control is contested. A visitor who ventures into an ‘Orange’ zone is expected to understand that safety cannot be guaranteed, and the resources available to help them in an emergency are severely limited. For the empathetic traveller, an ‘Orange’ zone should be seen as a place under profound stress, best avoided until stability returns.

The Yellow Flag: Responsible Travel in the Rest of the Region

For the vast majority of Thailand and Cambodia—the areas that draw millions of visitors annually—the advisory remains a “Yellow” alert. This is the travel community’s way of saying: “Go, but go with your eyes wide open.”

A Yellow advisory is not a green light for complacency. It means that while general safety is reasonable, travelers must maintain a “heightened alert.” This entails proactive steps like registering with their country’s emergency information service—a vital measure to ensure authorities know their location in a regional crisis. It means understanding that petty crime is a risk, local laws must be rigorously obeyed, and political demonstrations, though rare in tourist areas, should be avoided entirely.

In essence, the Yellow code is a call for mindful movement. It urges tourists to be present, to read local news, and to respect the delicate political and cultural balances of their destination.

This layered travel advice from the Netherlands is a necessary caution in an interconnected world. It reminds us that our travel choices are not simply about personal adventure, but carry a moral weight. By heeding the ‘Red’ and ‘Orange’ warnings, travellers are not succumbing to fear; they are showing profound respect for the communities fighting for their safety and stability. The greatest mark of a responsible traveler is knowing when to stay away, allowing a community the space and peace needed to heal and regain control. Until that day comes, the vibrant core of Southeast Asia remains open, but the edges are firmly marked with a warning that must be respected.