'Tourists are still partying and having fun': Travelers divided over Thailand trips amid deadly border clashes

Thanh Ha, a Hanoi-based traveler who landed in Bangkok on July 25, said the conflict has not touched the tourist zones, with places like Central World, Siam Square and Samyan Mirtown still crowded, she said.

"It seems the conflict hasn’t affected tourism in Bangkok yet."

Tran My, who arrived on July 23, visited major attractions including Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Siam Paragon and Safari World. There is no sign that the border conflict is affecting tourists, she said, adding that prices are stable and everything is running normally.

Nguyen Truc, a tour guide from VietGoGo, a company specializing in Thailand tours, is leading a group through Bangkok and Pattaya. He noted that the conflict zone is far away, roughly 1,000 kilometers from Bangkok and 800 kilometers from Pattaya.

"Most guests believe they won’t be affected," he said. "Foreign tourists in Pattaya are still partying and having fun."

Central World shopping mall in Bangkok is busy in the afternoon of July 25, 2025. Photo by Thanh Ha

Panic rises online

Despite the distance, panic spread across Vietnamese travel forums on July 24, after news broke of border skirmishes. Many travelers began questioning whether they should cancel.

That same day, Thai health minister Somsak Thepsuthin confirmed 12 Thai deaths, including 11 civilians and one soldier, after Cambodian artillery struck near the border, reportedly hitting a hospital. Thailand says the total toll stands at 20 dead and dozens wounded. Cambodia’s defense ministry reported 13 killed and at least 71 injured.

"July 24 was probably the peak of concern for Vietnamese travelers planning to visit Thailand," said Vo Duy Khang, head of sales at VietGoGo.

The company had over 10 travelers scheduled to depart on July 25, mostly heading to Bangkok and Pattaya. But nearly all asked to postpone or reschedule.

Pham Ngoc Son, a tourist from Phu Tho, canceled a September Thailand trip with his younger brother. It would have been their first trip abroad together.

"I don’t think the main tourist spots like Bangkok or Phuket will be affected, since the fighting is at the border," he said.

Son had previously traveled to Yangon, Myanmar during a civil conflict. A curfew ruined his itinerary. This time, he’s switching to China, a destination he’s visited before, with similar costs.

Vietnamese agency Du Lich Viet also reported changes to its Cambodia tours. In the past 10 days, three groups removed Siem Reap from their itineraries, opting for Phnom Penh or other cities. In June, bookings for Cambodia dropped nearly 40%. By July 25, clients with mid-August departures were raising concerns about safety.

"At the moment, nothing unusual has been reported at the scheduled destinations," said deputy CEO Pham Anh Vu. "We’re staying in close contact with partners to provide the best options for our customers."

Although the company has not recorded any canceled Thailand tours, Vu noted that no new bookings came in on July 24, an odd silence during peak summer travel.

Fighting intensifies despite ceasefire call

The latest clashes began on July 23, when Thai officials accused Cambodia of planting landmines in a disputed border area, the same spot where a May clash left a Thai soldier wounded. Fighting erupted again on July 24 near the Ta Moan Thom temple and spread to other border zones.

By July 25, the UN Security Council had held a closed-door meeting. Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo called for "an immediate and unconditional ceasefire," urging peaceful dialogue. But on July 26, fighting continued at new locations along the border.