AKP Phnom Penh, December 14, 2025 -- President of the Senate, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, has clarified that Cambodia has not banned travel for Cambodian or Thai citizens, stressing that the proposed suspension applies only to land border crossings, which currently pose serious safety risks.

In a statement released this evening, Samdech Techo explained that his earlier message, advising the Royal Government to consider suspending cross-border travel, referred specifically to land routes amid ongoing fighting and military aggression along the Cambodia-Thailand land border.

He said it was a misunderstanding or an intention to provoke from the other side when they claimed that Cambodia was preventing Thai nationals from returning to their country.

“I would like to clearly state that the suspension concerns land travel only, as hostilities and attacks are occurring along the entire land border, with some spillover into maritime areas,” he said.

The Cambodian Senate President noted that air travel remains safe and fully operational, as there are no clashes at airports. Thai nationals currently living in Cambodia may therefore depart via air travel from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Those working near the Vietnam border may also travel through Vietnam and make arrangements to return to Thailand.

For Cambodian citizens wishing to return home, he said travel should likewise be conducted via air routes where flights to Cambodia are available.

Reiterating his position, Samdech Techo emphasised that the recommendation was made solely to protect lives.

“Cambodia has not prohibited travel by Cambodian or Thai citizens. What we are requesting to be temporarily suspended is land travel, which is dangerous to people’s lives,” he said.

He called for a careful review of his previous message and urged the other party not to misinterpret or politicise his intentions, which he said were aimed at safeguarding the lives of both Cambodian and Thai citizens.

By C. Nika