Hun Sen Clarifies: Travel Not Banned, Thai Nationals May Leave Cambodia by Air
Hun Sen Clarifies: Travel Not Banned, Thai Nationals May Leave Cambodia by Air
Phnom Penh, 14 December 2025 — Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has issued a clarification regarding his recent advisory to the Royal Government of Cambodia concerning cross-border travel between Cambodia and Thailand, emphasizing that the measure is solely intended to protect the safety of civilians of both nations.
Samdech Techo explained that his earlier message recommended the temporary suspension of land border crossings for Cambodian and Thai citizens in light of ongoing hostilities and military incursions occurring along the entire land border, with parts of the maritime area also affected. He noted that some parties may have either misunderstood or deliberately misrepresented this advisory as an attempt to prevent Thai nationals from returning to their country.
He firmly clarified that only land travel should be suspended, as it poses serious and immediate risks to human life under current conditions. Air travel, however, remains fully permitted, as there are no hostilities occurring at airports.
Accordingly, Samdech Techo stated that Thai nationals currently residing in Cambodia may depart via air routes through Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Thai workers located near the Cambodia–Viet Nam border may travel through Viet Nam and make onward arrangements to return to Thailand. Likewise, Cambodian citizens wishing to return home are advised to do so by air from locations where flights to Cambodia are available.
Samdech Techo reiterated unequivocally that Cambodia has not imposed any prohibition on the movement of Cambodian or Thai nationals. The sole request is the temporary suspension of land-based travel, which currently represents a severe threat to civilian safety.
He urged the public to carefully review his previous statement and called on all parties not to distort or politicize his humanitarian intent, which is aimed exclusively at safeguarding the lives of both Cambodian and Thai people during this critical period.
