Thailand has always known how to keep multiple plates spinning at once. Sun loungers are laid out, hotel lobbies hum, aircraft land on schedule and yet, along select stretches of the Thailand–Cambodia border, security has been quietly tightened. The message from authorities is clear: travel across Thailand continues as usual, but with a sensible layer of vigilance where it is needed.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tourism and daily life across the vast majority of the country remain unaffected. From Bangkok’s skyscrapers to Chiang Mai’s night markets, from Phuket’s beaches to Krabi’s limestone cliffs, Thailand is very much open for business.
However, in seven provinces along the eastern and northeastern border with Cambodia, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat, specific security measures remain in place. These are targeted, localised, and carefully managed, rather than sweeping nationwide restrictions.
In Trat province, for instance, stability has improved to the point where curfews in five districts, Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming and Mueang Trat, were lifted on 16 December 2025. Daily life has resumed, shops are open, and travellers are once again moving freely.
Elsewhere, particularly in parts of Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo, martial law remains in effect. In Sa Kaeo’s districts of Khok Sung, Ta Phraya, Aranyaprathet and Khlong Hat, a curfew is still enforced between 7 pm and 5 am, effective from 10 December 2025 until further notice. These measures, Thai authorities stress, are precautionary and geographically confined.
For travellers, the practical impact is limited. Domestic and international transport services, air, rail, bus and marine, are operating normally nationwide. Thailand’s major visitor hubs continue to welcome arrivals without interruption, and airlines, hotels and tour operators are conducting business as usual.
There are, however, a handful of transport adjustments near the border areas. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has temporarily adjusted several services. Ordinary Trains No. 275/276 and No. 279/280 now operate only between Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station and Aranyaprathet, with onward services to the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint suspended. Passengers seeking assistance can contact the SRT’s 24-hour hotline on 1690.
Similarly, the Transport Company Limited has closed the Kantharalak Bus Terminal in Si Sa Ket. Routes such as Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani and Bangkok–Kantharalak–Buntharik continue to run, but travellers must use the Karnchang Intersection as a temporary boarding and drop-off point. Enquiries can be made on 02 936 3660.
Authorities are also advising travellers to avoid Route 348 from Kaeo Phet Phloi to Chong Tako when heading toward Non Din Daeng District in Buri Ram province, and to follow local advice on alternative routes.
More broadly, travellers are urged to avoid restricted border zones and checkpoints where entry and exit remain suspended. These include specific national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, archaeological sites, and market areas near the frontier. Importantly, these closures affect only defined pockets within the seven provinces; the remainder of each province continues to function normally under local supervision.
For Australian travellers, the advice is one of calm awareness rather than concern. Sensible precautions, checking routes, following local guidance, and staying informed are all that is required. For official Australian Government guidance, travellers are encouraged to consult Smarttraveller, available at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au, which provides up-to-date safety advice and destination-specific alerts.
On the ground in Thailand, support remains readily available. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, TAT offices, Tourist Police units and real-time information services continue to operate nationwide. Travellers needing assistance can contact the TAT Call Centre on 1672 or the Tourist Police Hotline on 1155, both available 24 hours a day.
Thailand has weathered many moments like this before quietly, methodically, and without derailing the visitor experience. For most travellers, the only noticeable difference will be a slightly longer notice at the border, and perhaps a reminder that even in one of the world’s most seasoned tourism destinations, prudence still has its place.
by Kanda Limw – (c) 2025
Read Time: 4 minutes.
About the Writer.
Kanda Limw is a self-motivated administrative professional with a strong track record of efficiently and precisely supporting business operations. Highly organised and adaptable, she brings a wealth of skills to the table, from multitasking and prioritising competing demands to managing complex filing systems and ensuring smooth office workflows.
Her background spans professional secretarial work, customer relations, and project planning, where her critical thinking and proactive approach have consistently delivered results. Kanda is experienced in managing directors’ schedules, coordinating meetings, and streamlining administrative processes while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
With progressive experience in office management, she has developed a reputation for reliability and attention to detail. Colleagues value her calm under pressure, her ability to anticipate needs, and her dedication to keeping operations on track. Kanda continues to build on her diverse skill set, driving efficiency and excellence in every task she undertakes.
