Cambodia-Thailand flights operating as usual
PHNOM PENH: Despite Thailand's unilateral decision to close all land borders with Cambodia on June 23, flight operations between Cambodia and Thailand are continuing as usual up to the present.
Sinn Chansereyvutha, secretary of state and spokesperson for Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), told The Post that as of 9am on June 25, 2025, there has been no suspension of flights between Cambodia and Thailand. Flights on the Phnom Penh–Bangkok and Siem Reap–Bangkok routes are still operating normally.
'As of now, there has been no cancellation or suspension of flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok or Siem Reap and Bangkok. In fact, the number of passengers travelling on the Bangkok–Siem Reap–Bangkok route has increased compared to last week,' he said.
According to Chansereyvutha, there are currently 78 weekly flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok operated by nine carriers (three Cambodian and six foreign).
Meanwhile, there are 38 weekly flights between Siem Reap and Bangkok, operated by three airlines: Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia and Emirates. Thai Airways is planning to launch flights on this route in October.
The SSCA reported that in the first five months of 2025, the aviation sector across Cambodia's three international airports (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap-Angkor and Preah Sihanouk) improved significantly.
There were a total of 27,670 inbound and outbound flights, a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The number of air passengers (inbound and outbound) reached 3,042,548, marking an 18% increase, while air cargo (inbound and outbound) totalled 29,019 tonnes — a 5% increase.
Data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that from January to April 2025, Cambodia received a total of 2.4 million international tourists, an increase of 13.6% compared to the same period in 2024. Of this number, 1.35 million (56.2%) entered via land borders, 1.01 million (42.1%) by air and 40,159 (1.7%) by water.
Interestingly, among the foreign visitors, Thai nationals made up the largest group, with a total of 674,134 visitors a 14.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This is expected to reduce dramatically. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Aid must be swiftly extended and communicated to foreign tourists in need
LAST Sunday, a tour bus carrying mostly Vietnamese nationals crashed into two cars while descending from Genting Highlands. Mercifully, no serious injuries were reported. An average of 79,000 foreign and domestic visitors travel up to Genting Highlands daily, with 24% being tourists staying overnight and 76% being excursionists or day trippers. Visitors either drive their own vehicles or use public transport such as taxis or e-hailing services, and in express or excursion buses. Where roads are steep and windy, the climb up is slow. But just like walking down stairs which is less laborious and much faster, descending a mountain is speedy but a lot more dangerous, and that is when most accidents occur. For vehicles, it is the over-use of the brakes to slow down instead of engaging lower gears, more so if the vehicle is heavy like buses. The overheated brake drums will expand and their round shape distorted, resulting in brake fade when the linings are not able to grip the drums tightly. When this happens, the driver will no longer be able to stop the bus on time and will crash into any vehicle or barrier ahead, or plunge into a ravine, as happened on Aug 21, 2014, killing 37 of the 53 passengers that were on board an express bus that departed from Genting Highlands. Undoubtedly, the management of Genting Highlands and various authorities have taken all measures to prevent or reduce the risks of accidents on this stretch of road, which is a far cry from when it was first opened in 1965. Initially, it was very winding and narrow, and helicopter rides from its Segambut helipad in Kuala Lumpur to the mountain top were popular. Over the years, the road was continuously widened and straightened, in tandem with the expansion of entertainment and accommodation facilities. With such a huge traffic along this mountain road, accidents are bound to happen. Apart from swift response from rescue teams, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) must also be ready to manage the country's tourism image whenever numerous foreign visitors are injured. The Aug 7 incident in Bangkok is a good example when two innocent Malaysian tourists were set on fire by a deranged jobless man near a shopping centre. One sustained second-degree burns over 36% of her body, including her face, chest and arm, while her boyfriend suffered second-degree burns to his upper body. On Aug 11, a newspaper reported with the heading 'Families urge Thailand to transfer Malaysian burn victims'. They have requested the Thai authorities to allow the victims to be transferred to Malaysia as soon as they are medically fit. Understandably, fellow Malaysians can feel their plight, not only to ensure the victims receive proper treatment, but also get emotional support from family members, relatives and friends back home. Such a thought would not sit well with Malaysians thinking of visiting Thailand. Last year, Malaysians were the second largest foreign visitors to Thailand with 4.95 million, far ahead of third place India with 2.13 million. Earlier on Aug 9, a newspaper reported that 'Thai Tourism Minister Sorawong expresses regret over assault on two Malaysian tourists in Bangkok', giving the impression that they get only sympathies while letting the law run its course, which is the norm in Malaysia. However, the latest report by Bernama paints a different picture with the heading 'Thailand pledges full care for Malaysian tourists burnt in Bangkok'. Permanent Secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Natreeya Taweewong confirmed the ministry's commitment to assisting the victims until their safe return. She said 'The ministry will also provide assistance under the Thai government's compensation measures, including medical expenses and emotional distress compensation to both victims.' Medical costs will be reimbursed up to 500,000 baht (RM65,000), while emotional distress compensation is set at 50,000 baht per person. Additional aid may be considered based on medical assessments and the victims' evolving needs. The ministry is coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure comprehensive medical and psychological care. The request for patients' transfer to Malaysia was considered, but doctors advise against travel at this stage. The Thai authorities proved they could handle the incident professionally, and would have been even better if the announcement was made on the onset. The aid is likely to be used as a benchmark for accidents and incidents in ASEAN. Any country in the region that leaves unfortunate foreign tourists to fend for themselves will generate a negative impact on its tourism industry. Let us hope MOTAC is ready for such an eventuality and not be caught off guard, which may affect the success of VM2026. Lest we forget, once negativity sets in, it is difficult to remove. Therefore, our response must not only be appropriate, but also swift. It is a vital part of the contingency plans of any organisation or country. ‒ Aug 12, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: NST
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Super Rich In Korea series' David Yong gets court nod to travel abroad again for business
This is the second time David Yong has been allowed to go overseas amid his pending criminal proceedings. - Photo: ST SINGAPORE: Businessman David Yong, who was featured in the Netflix series Super Rich In Korea and accused of multiple offences, has once again been permitted to travel out of Singapore on business. This is the second time the beleaguered businessman has been allowed to go overseas amid his pending criminal proceedings. On Tuesdy (Aug 12), about a month after his previous trips to South Korea and Malaysia, Yong's lawyer Navin Naidu applied for his client to travel to these same countries. A district court allowed Yong to travel to Seoul from Aug 15 to 24, and Kuala Lumpur from Aug 28 to Sept 1. The Kuala Lumpur trip is also for Yong to assist in separate police investigations based on reports filed by him, said Naidu. The lawyer did not divulge further details. The Straits Times understands that Yong was the complainant in this separate case, which is unrelated to his current criminal charges. The 38-year-old Singaporean, whose full name is Yong Khung Lin, is the chief executive of a group of companies collectively known as Evergreen Group Holdings. Yong, who is represented by Naidu, Philip Teh and Aaron Lim of Dentons Rodyk & Davidson, was charged in 2024 with four counts of falsification of accounts. On June 3, he was handed his fifth charge involving more than 1,000 promissory notes made by a company linked to him. In granting him permission to travel, the court ordered that his current bail of $1 million be increased by another $500,000. While overseas, Yong has to report twice daily to the investigation officer by video calls and location sharing, down from three times a day during his previous trips. The prosecution did not object to Yong's application to travel overseas. Yong was previously allowed to travel to Seoul from July 4 to 11, and Kuala Lumpur from July 14 to 21 to attend to urgent matters for his businesses overseas, including securing new office premises. This came after three failed applications to travel overseas. On his third application on March 20, District Judge Brenda Tan had found Yong to be a serious flight risk. He held a Cambodian passport under the name 'Duong Dara' that he claimed to have surrendered to the Cambodian authorities in June 2024. However, Judge Tan said then that there was no official confirmation on the whereabouts of this document. It was also revealed in court that Yong had allegedly sought another passport from Grenada, an island nation in the Caribbean. On June 27, during Yong's first successful application to travel overseas, Naidu said the issue of the whereabouts of Yong's Cambodian passport is now 'conclusively resolved'. Naidu also said Yong has no interest in applying for any other foreign passports. Yong was featured in the Netflix series Super Rich In Korea as one of the 'super rich'. Just three months after his appearance on the show, he was arrested on Aug 1, 2024, and charged in court two days later. Yong's next pre-trial conference will take place on Sept 5. - The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Thai assaults on Malaysian tourists, hurting tourism confidence
BANGKOK: A stressed Thai national's assault on Malaysian tourists further shakes confidence in Thai tourism, with ATTA urging the government to clearly communicate safety measures, while the Tourism Ministry pledges full care and compensation until the victims can return home. Following the assault of two Malaysian tourists in Bangkok's Ratchadamri area on the night of Aug 7, 2025, in which a stressed Thai national reportedly poured thinner on the victims, the Thai tourism industry has voiced concern over the country's safety image. Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, honorary president and senior advisor to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), described the incident as serious and deeply disturbing. He said it not only directly affects tourists' perceptions of Thailand but also damages the country's safety image in the eyes of the international community, particularly among Asean countries, which place strong emphasis on security. He noted that the attack would inevitably undermine confidence, especially if video footage or news of the incident spreads widely. Although it did not occur during the high season, it is a crucial test of how effectively state agencies can manage the situation and restore trust. Thailand, he said, must urgently strengthen tangible safety infrastructure for tourists and clearly communicate these measures in official foreign-language channels to reassure both travellers and foreign governments that their citizens can visit without fear. 'We have repeatedly talked about safety measures, but the problem lies in weak communication. We must deliver messages in multiple languages to foreign media, embassies and the platforms that international audiences use. Proactive communication from relevant agencies, such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and even the Tourist Police, is essential, and they must work closely together,' he said. He added that the swift arrest of the suspect, coupled with the Tourism Ministry's public updates assessing the situation and clarifying the cause, was a step in the right direction. However, he stressed that Thailand must continue communicating clearly to demonstrate how seriously the state treats crimes that affect tourists. Sisdivachr also addressed external factors affecting tourism, notably the recent appreciation of the baht to 32 per US dollar. He said that while the stronger currency may influence some travellers' decisions to visit Thailand, the impact was not yet severe as the exchange rate had not risen to an uncompetitive level. However, he said operators were hopeful that the Bank of Thailand, under its new governor from the private sector, would better understand business needs and implement policies to lower interest rates. Such a move, he said, would help ease cost pressures on tourism businesses that have yet to fully recover. 'We have raised this issue many times without any real response. This time, we hope to see concrete action, both in terms of lowering interest rates and attracting more foreign tourists, so that the industry can keep moving forward,' he said. Another key priority, Sisdivachr added, was developing new attractions to inject variety and appeal to repeat visitors seeking fresh experiences. He noted that many travellers were now choosing Vietnam for its new tourist spots and more convenient transport links, much as Thai tourists were increasingly visiting China for its interconnected and well-developed attractions. Thailand, he stressed, needed to ensure that its secondary destinations were genuinely accessible, safe and rich in compelling stories. He recommended that the TAT and local administrative organisations work together to expand existing thematic routes so they link effectively across multiple provinces. This, he said, should be paired with investment in transport infrastructure such as roads, public transport and intercity connections, to create attractive new options for travellers. Natthriya Thaweevong, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, expressed her deepest condolences on behalf of the Thai government and all relevant agencies over the assault on two Malaysian tourists in Bangkok. She said the authorities were committed to providing full medical care and assistance until the victims could be safely repatriated. The incident on Aug 7 involved an unemployed Thai national who, reportedly suffering from hunger and mental distress, attacked the two Malaysian tourists in the Ratchadamri area by dousing them with flammable liquid and setting them alight. 'This was a deeply saddening incident for both Thais and Malaysians,' Natthriya said, adding that Malaysia remains one of Thailand's top source markets for international tourists. Both victims remain hospitalised. The male tourist sustained burns to 69% of his body and remains unconscious, while the female tourist suffered burns to 36% of her body, is conscious and able to communicate through writing. Doctors say their conditions are stable and gradually improving, though the male victim's injuries are more severe. The government has discussed initial compensation with the victims' relatives, who will also check the victims' travel insurance coverage with AirAsia. Relatives have expressed a wish to transfer the patients to Malaysia for further treatment, but doctors have advised against immediate travel. The male victim is expected to remain in hospital for about one month, and the female for two to three weeks. The ministry is coordinating with the Tourist Police to assist the victims' relatives, providing transport to and from their accommodation and responding to requests for support. Under the government's compensation scheme for foreign tourists, assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis: Medical expenses will be reimbursed based on receipts, up to a maximum of 500,000 baht, with any insurance payouts deducted. An additional 50,000 baht will be provided for emotional distress, bringing the total to no more than 550,000 baht. The government will also review whether further assistance is appropriate. Natthriya stressed that authorities must also determine the attacker's true motive in order to improve risk assessments and strengthen tourist protection measures. - The Nation/ANN
