Cambodia-Thailand flight operations remain uninterrupted amid full land border closures

by Chea Vanyuth
June 26, 2025

Air passengers at the departure terminal of the Phnom Penh International Airport. KT/Chor Sokunthea

Synopsis: There have been no cancellations of flights between Phnom Penh-Bangkok and Siem Reap-Bangkok. In fact, the number of passengers has increased since last week, says a top SSCA official.

Despite Thailand’s unilateral decision to close its land border with Cambodia, flight services between Cambodia and Thailand are operating as usual as of yesterday, a senior official from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) said.

SSCA Secretary of State and spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha told Khmer Times that as of June 25, there has been no suspension of flights between Cambodia and Thailand.

Regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, SSCA has been closely monitoring the situation, and for the air traffic, there have been no major problems or changes so far.

“As of this time, there have been no closures or cancellations of flights between Phnom Penh-Bangkok and Siem Reap-Bangkok,” Vutha said.

“The flight schedule has not changed, and the number of passengers has increased more than last week,” he said.

Data from SSCA showed that there are currently 78 weekly flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok operated by nine carriers (three Cambodian and six foreign airlines).



Meanwhile, there are 38 weekly flights between Siem Reap and Bangkok, operated by three airlines: Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia and Emirates.



Thai Airways is planning to launch the Bangkok-Siem Reap flight route in October, according to SSCA.

Regarding flights between Cambodia and Thailand, there have been no cancellations or rerouting of flights, but this is the Green Season, so tourist activity may decrease slightly, he added.

“There are some factors that have also had a small impact, causing a slight decrease in the number of visitors, but we cannot jump to the conclusion that it has had a bold impact because this is the green season. Based on what we have seen so far, there have been no changes or cancellations in flights.”

Thailand has significantly restricted movement across its border with Cambodia, with its military closing crossings to nearly all travellers, including tourists and traders, according to local media reported on Tuesday.

All vehicles and travellers, both Thai and foreigners, will be prohibited from crossing borders into Cambodia across seven provinces, according to statements by Thailand’s army and navy.




SSCA says flight operations between Cambodia and Thailand remain uninterrupted as of Wednesday despite the ongoing border crisis. KT/Chor Sokunthea
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on June 24 that Thailand will boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists into Cambodia amid an escalating border dispute.

The SSCA’s clarification comes amid the Kingdom experiencing a significant growth of air passengers passing through the three international airports.

The SSCA reported that in the first five months of 2025, the number of inbound-outbound air passengers increased by 18 percent to 3.04 million.

The international and domestic airlines had operated a total of 27,670 flights to the three international airports during the January-May period this year, up 14 percent compared to the same period last year, read the report.

The country recorded a 5-percent increase in air cargo volume to 29,019 tonnes during the mentioned period.

Figures from the Ministry of Tourism shows that Cambodia received a total of 2.4 million international tourists between January to April 2025, a year-on-year increase of 13.6 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

About 42 percent of total foreign tourists arrived in Cambodia by air, while the remaining entered through land and waterways.

Thailand topped the list for inbound tourism markets, contributing 674,134 visitors, up 14.6 percent.

The Ministry of Tourism is actively rolling out initiatives to capitalise on the country’s “Green Season,” rebranding the traditional low-tourism period between April to October into an appealing time for both domestic and international visitors.

Its Minister Huot Hak has been a strong advocate for the initiative, urging private sector partners to offer discounts on accommodation and meals, enhance hospitality, and organise engaging tourism events across the capital and provinces.




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Youngest Thai prime minister faces swift end to her short career

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's prime minister, holds a news conference in Bangkok on Thursday. | BLOOMBERG

Wires
Jun 19, 2025

BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, scion of the kingdom's most prominent political dynasty, faces an abrupt end to her short career freighted with a family history of power, protests and coups.

The 38-year-old accepted King Maha Vajiralongkorn's command to form a government last August, barely two years after she entered politics.

The country's youngest premier and the third Shinawatra to hold the role, Paetongtarn has been heading an uneasy coalition between her Pheu Thai party and a group of conservative, pro-military parties.