The Thailand-Cambodia conflict left the Angkor complex without visitors

At the UNESCO Angkor heritage site in Siem Reap, about a two-hour drive from the Thai border, many tour guides and small businesses said the number of visitors had dropped sharply due to security concerns.

Tour guide Bun Ratana said he lost more than 10 tours in December alone, and his income decreased by about 80% compared to the same period last year, to 150 USD. According to him, the clashes lasting more than two weeks stemming from border disputes are the main cause.

“Some tourists are concerned, but Siem Reap is still safe,” Bun Ratana said.

Local tourism businesses said the tour cancellation made Cambodia’s biggest tourist destination deserted. The number of tourist tickets sold decreased by at least 17% compared to the period June-November last year, especially plummeting after the 5-day fighting in July.

Tensions escalated again and erupted into clashes on December 7, when Cambodian and Thai soldiers exchanged gunfire along the disputed border. The two sides then used heavy weapons, including F-16 fighters and rocket launchers, to attack targets along the disputed border. Fighting has left at least 23 people in Thailand and 21 people in Cambodia dead, and more than 900,000 people in the two countries have been evacuated.

Tourism contributes about 10% of Cambodia’s GDP, with a record 6.7 million visitors last year. However, land routes through Thailand are closed to tourists, disrupting the flow of regional visitors. In Bangkok, many minivans that used to carry passengers to Angkor Wat had to be parked. Travel companies said they cannot predict when the tour will resume.

Cambodian hotel industry expert Arnaud Darc said the disruption is focused on regional road travel, not on a global level. He noted that the number of Thai visitors decreased, while Chinese visitors increased. Some international tourists at Angkor Wat said they still feel safe when visiting.

According to psychological experts, fear still exists, partly influenced by the media and information about technology fraud in the region.

“The reality is that Cambodia’s top tourist destinations are safe, but the news headlines have been damaging,” said Hannah Pearson, director of consulting firm Pear Anderson.

Siem Reap tourism leaders admit that the country’s image is affected, but believe that tourists will soon return when the fighting stops. “The sooner the fighting ends, the faster tourists will return,” he said.

The Angkor temple complex has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage since 1992. The building is a symbol of ancient Khmer architecture and the pride of Cambodia, with famous temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (Bayon temple).