US Issues Travel Advisory for These Two Asian Countries

The United States has issued an updated warning urging Americans to avoid travel within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of the Cambodia–Thailand border, citing continued armed conflict, cross-border fire, and reports of Thai airstrikes that have extended beyond the immediate frontier.

In a security alert dated December 22, 2025, the U.S. Mission in Cambodia said it is monitoring “ongoing conflict along the Cambodia–Thailand border,” noting that since December 11 there have been reports of isolated Thai airstrikes both in provinces adjacent to the border and in areas up to 80 kilometers away, with the broader security situation described as volatile.

Separately, the U.S. Department of State’s destination guidance for Thailand and Cambodia underscores the practical effect for travelers: “Do not travel to areas within 50km of the Thai-Cambodian border due to ongoing fighting between Thai and Cambodian military forces.”

The warning is significant because it applies to a wide buffer zone on both sides of the border, potentially affecting overland itineraries and border crossings, even for travelers who do not intend to visit front-line areas. U.S. guidance also emphasizes that the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services in affected provinces if conditions deteriorate further.

What’s Driving the Warning

The travel warning comes amid a rapidly evolving conflict along the countries’ 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border, where fighting has expanded across multiple points and has included rocket and artillery exchanges as well as air operations.

According to Reuters, the latest escalation has persisted into a third week, with at least 80 people reported killed so far. Officials and aid reporting cited by international media also indicate mass displacement, with more than half a million people forced from their homes in the border region.

The Associated Press reported that the current round of fighting reignited on December 8, after a border skirmish the day before injured Thai soldiers, followed by Thai…