≡-Thailand Confronts Tourism Turbulence As Cambodian Travel Market Collapses By Forty-Eight Percent Amid Growing Security Concerns – Viral of Today

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Home » Cambodia Travel News » Thailand Confronts Tourism Turbulence As Cambodian Travel Market Collapses By Forty-Eight Percent Amid Growing Security Concerns Sunday, June 22, 2025Thailand has witnessed a dramatic decline in tourist arrivals from Cambodia, with figures plummeting by nearly half in June 2025. This sharp 48% drop follows a series of border closures triggered by heightened regional tensions, further exacerbating a downward trend that began last year.The number of Cambodian travelers visiting Thailand has been on a consistent decline since early 2024, based on data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Between January and May 2025, Thailand welcomed 197,658 visitors from Cambodia—representing a 14% year-on-year decrease. On average, around 1,200 Cambodian nationals crossed into Thailand daily during this period.The situation became more severe after border checkpoints were shut down on June 7 due to rising political and security tensions. Since then, the number of Cambodian tourists has continued to fall, culminating in a dramatic 44% decline in arrivals following the closures. The most significant dip was recorded on June 14, when arrivals dropped by a staggering 81%, signaling growing unease among travelers and uncertainty over the ease of cross-border movement.Even with reduced land border traffic, Thai AirAsia continues to perform strongly on its flight routes linking Bangkok to key destinations in Cambodia. The airline reported strong load factors on these flights, indicating that air travel remains a viable option for Cambodian tourists who continue to visit Thailand despite land border challenges.The continued operation of air routes has offered a partial cushion against the broader slump in tourism numbers. However, officials remain concerned about the long-term implications of reduced land-based tourism, particularly for provinces that rely heavily on cross-border day-trippers and short-term visitors.Tourism authorities are closely monitoring developments and working on contingency strategies to revive confidence in cross-border travel. Measures under consideration include enhanced travel safety campaigns, increased collaboration with Cambodian tourism operators, and temporary incentives to draw back regional visitors once the borders reopen.While Thailand remains a top regional destination, the current situation underscores the fragility of tourism flows amid political instability and border uncertainties. Tourism businesses near the Cambodian border are now grappling with cancellations, reduced foot traffic, and a bleak short-term outlook as the decline in arrivals disrupts local economies.The Tourism Authority of Thailand is expected to provide an updated forecast later this month, factoring in the ongoing travel disruptions and evaluating the broader impact on Thailand’s regional tourism strategy.So far in June, tourist arrivals from Cambodia to Thailand have dropped sharply, with only 14,758 visitors recorded—representing a steep 48% decline compared to the same period last year. Of these travelers, approximately 48% flew in by air, while 51.9% entered through land border checkpoints.In 2024, Thailand welcomed 553,060 visitors from Cambodia, reflecting a 5% year-on-year decline from 2023. Thailand welcomed approximately 1,500 visitors from Cambodia each day on average. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has linked this gradual decrease to Cambodia’s struggling economic conditions, which have dampened international travel demand.Meanwhile, many Cambodian tourists have shifted their travel preferences toward Vietnam, attracted by its more affordable travel options and improved transportation networks. The combination of lower travel expenses and enhanced accessibility has made Vietnam an increasingly popular choice over Thailand for short-haul regional trips.Although the broader tourism outlook remains stable despite ongoing border tensions, regional tourism offices in provinces like Surin, Sa Kaeo, and Trat are maintaining close surveillance of the situation to assess any localized impact.In Ubon Ratchathani, a few tourist sites saw a slight decline in footfall during the initial week of the tensions, as safety concerns prompted some travelers to delay their visits.Among the sites impacted was the Phu Prasat Historical Park, located in Nam Yuen district inside the Yod Dom Wildlife Sanctuary. This area, nestled within the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range near the Chong An Ma border crossing, saw reduced tourist activity due to the surrounding tensions.In Sa Kaeo province, hotels felt the effects as well. Many international guests—particularly travelers from Indonesia who often stop overnight before crossing into Cambodia—were unable to proceed with their plans due to the closure of the Ban Khlong Luek border point.The Thailand tourism office based in Ho Chi Minh City, responsible for overseeing the Cambodian travel market, has temporarily suspended its collaborative promotional initiatives with airlines and the Thai embassy. These campaigns, initially planned to run from June through August, are now on hold due to recent developments.Despite the market downturn, Thai AirAsia continues to operate its Bangkok connections to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, reporting an average load factor of around 70% this month—slightly below the typical 70–80% range seen during the first half of the year. On the other hand, outbound flights from Bangkok have remained strong, consistently achieving load factors between 90% and 100% following the border closures. In response to fluctuating demand, the airline has consolidated its two daily services into a single flight during select timeframes.

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