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The Cambodia–Thailand border: closed crossings and the ways around
As of 17 October 2026, every land crossing between Cambodia and Thailand is suspended, Poipet–Aranyaprathet included, and the UK government advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the border. No bus crosses. Fly between Bangkok and Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, in under two hours, or travel overland through Laos, which takes two to three days.
The border is closed
All the land crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are suspended. The UK government's travel advice, still current on 17 October 2026, says the land borders and crossings continue to be suspended after the fighting of 2025; a ceasefire was signed on 27 December, and the situation remains tense.
Thai officials, the navy and the prime minister among them, said in May and June 2026 that the checkpoints along the whole border, Poipet–Aranyaprathet included, would stay closed, with exceptions only for individual official or humanitarian cases.
The UK government also advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the land border, and reports closed border temples, such as Preah Vihear, and unexploded ordnance, including landmines, in the border area.
Some bus companies still list Bangkok departures on their timetables; a listing is not a running service. No public transport crosses while the border is closed.
Closed border, closed e-visa port
Two different things are closed, for different reasons:
- The border itself, for travellers, because of the conflict.
- The e-visa at the Thai-border crossings. Cambodia's e-visa site lists Poipet and Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) as temporarily closed for e-visa entry until further notice, and its other Thai-border crossings (Chorm, Daung, Prom, O Smach) as not taking the e-visa.
When the border reopens, the e-visa list will still decide whether your e-visa works there. Check both before planning a land crossing.
The Thai-border crossings on Cambodia's list, with their status in October 2026:
| Crossing (Cambodian side) | Province | Thai side | Border | Cambodian e-visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poipet | Banteay Meanchey | Aranyaprathet (Khlong Luek) | Suspended | Closed for e-visa entry |
| Cham Yeam | Koh Kong | Hat Lek (Khlong Yai) | Suspended | Closed for e-visa entry |
| O Smach | Oddar Meanchey | Suspended | Not accepted | |
| Chorm | Oddar Meanchey | Suspended | Not accepted | |
| Daung | Battambang (Kamrieng) | Suspended | Not accepted | |
| Prom | Pailin | Suspended | Not accepted |
Poipet was the crossing on the Bangkok road to Siem Reap and Battambang, and Cham Yeam the coastal crossing for Koh Kong and Trat. The Cambodia transport map shows both, greyed out while they are suspended.
The ways around
Fly. Flights between Bangkok and Phnom Penh (Techo, KTI) or Siem Reap (SAI) are not affected and take under two hours. From Siem Reap to Bangkok Don Mueang, for example, Thai AirAsia's afternoon flight takes 1 hour 10 minutes, from about USD 111 sold online for October 2026. The Phnom Penh airport guide and the Siem Reap airport guide cover the transfers into town.
Sihanoukville's airport (KOS) also lists Bangkok among its destinations, but not every day: on the October 2026 date checked, only connecting flights were on sale from there. For the islands, flying to Phnom Penh and continuing by road or train is the dependable alternative; see the Sihanoukville guide.
Battambang and Siem Reap were the usual overland gateways from Bangkok. Battambang has no airport with scheduled flights, so fly to Siem Reap and take the 3-hour bus; see the Battambang guide.
Go overland through Laos. It takes two to three days and two border crossings:
| Leg | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Ubon Ratchathani | Overnight train or bus | About 10 h |
| Ubon Ratchathani → Pakse | Bus via Vang Tao–Chong Mek | About 3 h |
| Pakse → Stung Treng | Bus or van via Nongnokkhene–Trapeang Kriel | About 6 h |
| Stung Treng → Siem Reap | Bus | About 8 h |
You need a Lao visa for the middle of the trip, and Cambodia's e-visa works at Trapeang Kriel. The Cambodia–Laos border guide covers that crossing, and LaosBusTickets' Thailand to Cambodia overland guide the Thai and Lao legs.
Going the other way, into Thailand overland from Laos, note that Thailand has limited visa-exempt entries by land to two per calendar year since 15 September 2026.
Cambodia–Thailand border: what people ask
Is the Cambodia–Thailand border open?
No. The UK government's travel advice, still current on 17 October 2026, says land borders and crossings between Cambodia and Thailand continue to be suspended. Thai officials said in May and June 2026 that the crossings, Poipet–Aranyaprathet included, would stay closed.
Can I take a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap?
Not across the border while it is closed. Buses that still appear on some timetables cannot cross. Fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap, about 1 hour 10 minutes, or go through Laos over two to three days.
How do I get from Bangkok to Cambodia now?
By air, to Phnom Penh (Techo, KTI) or Siem Reap (SAI); flights are not affected by the land closure. Overland, the only way is through Laos: Ubon Ratchathani, the Vang Tao–Chong Mek crossing to Pakse, then the Nongnokkhene–Trapeang Kriel crossing into Cambodia.
Can I use the Cambodia e-visa at Poipet?
No. Cambodia's e-visa site lists Poipet and Cham Yeam as temporarily closed for e-visa entry. Arriving by air, the e-visa works at Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville airports; see the Cambodia visa guide.
Is it safe to visit the Thai border area?
The UK government advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the land border with Thailand. It reports a ceasefire signed on 27 December after fighting in 2025, a tense situation, closed border temples and unexploded ordnance, including landmines.