In a surprising twist this fine June of 2025, the bustling tourist highways connecting Cambodia and Thailand have seen a dramatic slowdown in traffic. A steep plummet of 48% in Cambodian tourists flocking to Thailand has shaken the travel industry, correlating directly with November border closures. Intriguingly, amidst these turbulent times, Thai AirAsia still reports a resilient load factor on flights scooting between Bangkok and Cambodian hubs, hinting that skies might yet remain unruffled.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), shared some rather sobering figures: Cambodian arrivals, between the classic sunshine months of January and May, summed up to a modest 197,658. This mark, sadly, is a solid 14% lower than the previous year, which already strained the baseline. On an average sunny day, about 1,200 Cambodian travelers decide to explore the abundant delights of Thailand. Yet, from June 7, as border quarrels ramped up, a staggering decline of 44% managed to rock the boat, with a particular nosedive of 81% appearing on June 14—talk about a fateful Friday indeed!
What’s happening in these traditionally eager travel lanes? Around 14,758 intrepid Cambodian souls braved the transit thus far in June. Of those, a nearly even split of 48% took to the skies while 51.9% opted for the more terrestrial route. Compare that to last year, when Cambodia sent a commendable 553,060 visitors, despite a slight 5% blip from the year before, with a brisk pace of 1,500 arriving daily.
Cambodia’s recent economic malaise didn’t outright help the situation either. And let’s not forget, Vietnam might have snagged some limelight. With accessible transport and lowered traveling costs, Vietnam is sliding into the favorite’s spot on travelers’ maps, as per the eagle-eyed agents at TAT.
Amidst these cross-border capers, TAT’s domestic offices, nestled close to the line in places like Surin, Sa Kaeo, and Trat, keep a vigilant eye on developments. Over in Ubon Ratchathani, some tourist beacons, like the picturesque Phu Prasat Historical Park, felt the tremors too. With safety whispers echoing, trip planners hit pause in the first bout of the cross-border drama.
Sa Kaeo’s hoteliers, especially those extending a warm hospitality hand to Indonesian travelers pausing en route to Cambodia, felt the strain as Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint traffic dwindled, according to the Bangkok Post. With TAT’s Ho Chi Minh City office now in a temporary campaign freeze with airline pals and the Thai embassy, those travel dreams are parked until maybe August.
However, taking a closer look at Thai AirAsia’s hustle might offer some solace. Its flights from Bangkok to Cambodia’s vibrant hubs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are maintaining an admirable 70% load factor, albeit tinged with room for more from an erstwhile 70-80% average. These Bangkok outbound flights are even holding a vigorous 90-100% occupancy since the border shut, albeit with fewer flights combined.
Even as Cambodia and Thailand figure things out and pace the floor of diplomacy, one can’t help but hope this situation is just a timely plot twist in the ever-colorful narrative of Southeast Asian travels, which promises to unfold with plenty more journeys and stories to come.
Wow, a 48% drop is massive! Seems like Thailand needs to focus on resolving these border issues to revive tourism.
It’s not just the borders. The political instability in the region is off-putting too.
Absolutely, political stability is crucial for tourism growth.
I think Thailand should focus more on unique campaigns and discounts for Cambodian tourists to regain momentum.
Honestly, why risk going to Thailand when Vietnam offers similar attractions without the hassle? Seems like a no-brainer shift for tourists.
Vietnam is great, but Thailand’s cultural depth is unmatchable. It’s all about personal preferences.
True, Thailand has a rich culture, but convenience is key for many travelers these days.
Am I the only one curious about how airlines maintain high load factors despite closed borders? Are they fudging numbers or truly resilient?
High load factors might be due to reduced number of flights, concentrating passengers on fewer options.
It’s a shame that historical sites like Phu Prasat Historical Park are seeing fewer visitors. They are treasures that deserve more attention.
They’re gems indeed! But without enough tourists, upkeep gets challenging too.
Is Thailand even doing anything to market their tourism in neighboring countries? Vietnam is outshining them!
As usual, local businesses will suffer the most. Hotel and restaurant owners must be pulling their hair out.
We’re feeling it big time! Without tourists, some businesses might not survive until August.
That’s heartbreaking. Governments should step in with support for these businesses.
On the bright side, less tourism might give nature a break. Some areas were over-touristed anyway.
As a regular visitor, I hope this is just temporary. Thailand is too beautiful to miss out on for long.
I still find Thailand an irreplaceable destination, no matter the diplomatic squabbles.
Agreed! But if travel becomes a nightmare, enthusiasm might dwindle.
Has anyone considered the economic downturn in Cambodia affecting travel budgets? That’s a huge factor too.
Exactly, it’s not just geopolitics. Economies are struggling and tourists are tightening their belts.
I’m curious if similar patterns are affecting other Southeast Asian routes. Seems like a regional issue.
Can’t wait for this conflict to resolve. I miss the lively markets and the rich culinary experiences there.
The street food alone is worth the trouble! Fingers crossed for a quick resolution.
Exactly, the food scene in Thailand is unmatched. Patience is key.