US Issues Travel Warning to Americans as Thailand–Cambodia Fighting Rages

The State Department warned U.S. citizens to steer clear of the border region amid ongoing clashes and a fragile diplomatic push.

People look at a bridge damaged in air strikes in Cambodia, on Dec. 20, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday urged Americans to avoid all travel within roughly 30 miles of the Thailand–Cambodia border, warning of “active hostilities” and an “unpredictable security situation” as fighting between the two Southeast Asian neighbors continues despite renewed diplomatic efforts to restore a cease-fire.

In security alerts issued on Dec. 22 by U.S. missions in Thailand and Cambodia, the U.S. State Department said both sides continue to report cross-border fire and that conditions along the border remain volatile. The department warned that the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services in affected provinces and urged American citizens to follow instructions from local security authorities.

“U.S. citizens should avoid all travel within 50 kilometers [31 miles] of the Thailand–Cambodia border due to active hostilities and the unpredictable security situation,” the State Department said in a Dec. 23 post on X.

Renewed Diplomatic Push for Cease-Fire

The warning comes after military officials from both countries began talks this week aimed at reviving a cease-fire following more than two weeks of fierce clashes that have killed at least 86 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. The talks, held at a checkpoint toward the southern end of the countries’ 508-mile border, represent the most significant diplomatic engagement since fighting reerupted earlier this month.

Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri said on Dec. 24 that the meeting of the General Border Committee would last three days and could pave the way for a broader agreement. If progress is made, he said, defense ministers from both countries could meet as early as Dec. 27.

Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata confirmed that the talks began late Wednesday, led by generals from both sides.

The renewed diplomacy follows a special meeting in Malaysia of Southeast Asian foreign ministers convened to salvage a truce first brokered in October with the help of U.S. President Donald Trump after an earlier round of clashes in July. October’s cease-fire deal, known as the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, fell apart after several Thai soldiers were maimed by what Thailand said were newly laid Cambodian landmines, an accusation Cambodia has rejected.

Heavy Civilian Toll as Fighting Continues

Despite the peace efforts, fighting has continued along multiple points of the border, with Cambodia and Thailand accusing one another of violating the October cease-fire deal, under which both sides committed to de-mining contested areas and withdrawing troops and heavy weapons.

According to Cambodian authorities, at least 21 civilians have been killed in Cambodia since the latest fighting erupted, with more than half a million people displaced. Thai officials say at least 65 people have died on their side of the border, with more than 150,000 residents evacuated from their homes.

The State Department said the U.S. embassies in both countries are closely monitoring the situation.

“Both sides continue to report cross-border fire, and conditions remain volatile,” the agency said on Dec. 23.

Washington has called on both governments to halt the fighting. In a Dec. 21 statement, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the United States continues to urge Cambodia and Thailand to end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease the emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

“We welcome ASEAN leaders coming together this week to support Cambodia and Thailand fully honoring their commitments to end this conflict,” Pigott said.

Trump said earlier this month that he had spoken with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and that both leaders agreed to halt fighting and return to the peace framework previously brokered in Malaysia.

While Trump expressed optimism that the violence could be brought to an end, neither country’s military immediately confirmed the cease-fire announcement, and clashes soon resumed.

Reuters contributed to this report.