Travel Guides & Articles
India Issues Travel Warning for Thailand and Cambodia as Tensions Grow
Saturday, July 26, 2025
In light of rising border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, the Indian Embassies in both countries have issued urgent travel advisories for Indian nationals, advising travelers to remain cautious and keep updated with the latest information from official Thai sources, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The escalating conflict along the Thailand-Cambodia border, which has already resulted in casualties on both sides, poses a significant threat to both business and leisure travelers visiting these regions.
Recent clashes between the two nations have intensified since a landmine explosion on Wednesday wounded several Thai soldiers. Thailand’s accusations of Cambodia planting new Russian-made mines along the border were met with strong denials from Cambodia, which attributed the conflict to unexploded ordnance from past wars. This development has heightened tensions, with further fighting erupting in multiple locations near the border.
The Thai government has taken military action in response to alleged rocket attacks by Cambodia, and the situation has drawn widespread concern from international bodies, including the United Nations. The UN Secretary-General has called for both countries to exercise restraint and engage in diplomatic dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully. However, the situation remains volatile, prompting several governments to advise against travel to the affected regions.
Impact on Tourism and Travel Safety
The ongoing conflict has taken a toll on tourism in Thailand and Cambodia, especially in the provinces near the border. The Tourism Authority of Thailand has officially declared that travel to several provinces in Thailand, including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat, is not recommended at this time. These provinces are home to popular tourist spots and heritage sites, making the advisory especially pertinent for international tourists planning trips to these areas.
Indian nationals are encouraged to consult official Thai channels like the TAT Newsroom and Thai media outlets for the most current updates on the safety of these regions. The Indian embassies in both countries have also made it clear that tourists should avoid the border areas entirely. The situation is expected to affect business travel, particularly in industries reliant on cross-border exchanges and tourism, such as hospitality, retail, and transportation services.
The warning could severely impact the local tourism economy, especially in Thailand’s border regions that attract both international tourists and travelers from neighboring countries. Tourists with scheduled travel plans to Thailand or Cambodia may want to consider alternative destinations until the situation stabilizes.
Quick Tips for Travelers
- Stay Updated: Regularly check for updates from official sources like the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) or local government websites to stay informed about the latest travel advisories.
- Avoid Border Areas: If you are traveling to Thailand or Cambodia, avoid regions near the border, particularly those in the provinces mentioned in the advisory.
- Emergency Contacts: For Indian nationals in Thailand, the Indian Embassy in Thailand is providing emergency contact information through their official channels. Similarly, the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh has listed contact numbers for citizens requiring assistance.
- Alternative Destinations: Consider exploring less-affected regions of Thailand or Cambodia, such as popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, or Siem Reap.
- Safety First: If you are already in the affected areas, remain indoors, follow the guidance of local authorities, and avoid unnecessary travel until the situation improves.
Travel Business and Local Impact
The travel and hospitality industries in both Thailand and Cambodia are feeling the effects of the border conflict. Hotels, restaurants, and tour operators in the affected areas are seeing a decline in bookings, with many travelers opting to delay or cancel their trips. Meanwhile, businesses dependent on tourists and cross-border trade have been forced to reassess their operations.
The conflict also threatens the economic recovery of the region’s tourism sector, which had already been impacted by the global pandemic. Both nations were anticipating a surge in international visitors, particularly in the lead-up to peak travel seasons. With the travel advisories in place, it’s expected that the tourism industry will continue to suffer until stability is restored.
For business travelers, especially those planning trips that require crossing the border, it is advisable to check the latest safety updates and consider rescheduling meetings or conferences in the affected provinces.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Outlook
As diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia deteriorate, both sides have expelled ambassadors and made calls for international intervention. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing situation and the potential for further escalation. However, the outlook remains uncertain as both countries appear to dig in their heels over the border dispute.
The international community, including various UN bodies and regional organizations, continues to urge both nations to pursue peaceful resolutions and avoid further military action. For travelers, the situation remains fluid, and it’s essential to stay informed.
Conclusion
While the escalation of the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict is a serious concern, the Indian embassies’ travel advisories highlight the importance of staying informed and exercising caution. Tourists planning trips to the affected regions should adjust their travel plans and avoid high-risk areas. In the meantime, tourism authorities in both countries will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors.
InsideAsia aims to “shake up the market” with the launch of its newest destination: India.
The specialist tour operator – part of Inside Travel Group, together with InsideJapan – is offering 12 “cultural adventures” across six regions and 80 different destinations in India.
Jess Andrews, Inside Travel Group’s South Asia programme manager, joined the company early last year to develop a “standout” India programme.
She has worked with India for almost 20 years with companies such as Ampersand Travel and Abercrombie & Kent.
“India is a sleeping giant. It’s a place of almost endless adventure and diversity which has been so underserviced by the majority of the UK travel industry for many years now,” she said.
“We have set out to shake up the market and offer cultural adventures with our own ‘Inside Travel’ stamp, aiming to represent this vast country and the variety of culture and people that make it so special.”
She said the tours go “way beyond” the ‘Golden Triangle’ to showcase India’s places, culture and people.
Inside Travel Group co-founder Alastair Donnelly added: “India has long been a missing piece of our Asia puzzle.
“This is our first new destination to launch since 2022, and we believe that with India, with our partners on the ground, the people we work across the country and with the cultural adventures we are able to create, we have something incredible.
“We have a team of five India travel specialists, with experience and knowledge from all over the country, but all united by their passion for the country and culture, and knowing what makes travel great.”
India sales and product specialist Brandon Clements joined the team earlier this year after 13 years at A&K as an India specialist.
“Jess and the team have shown that there is a conscious effort to offer something very different to what is already out there on the market,” said Clements.
“The cultural adventures on site are a snippet of what is possible, but they provide inspiration.”
Donnelly added: “As a B Corp that prides itself on using ‘travel as a force for good’, we hope that we can encourage people to explore beyond the usual, get beneath the surface and give back to communities across the country that would benefit from cultural adventure tourism.”
Travel Guides & Articles
Air India launches limited-period sale on premium cabins across key short-haul routes
Air India has announced a limited-time promotional sale offering attractive fares for Business Class and Premium Economy travel on select short-haul international routes. The offer presents travellers with an opportunity to plan holidays across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East while enjoying the enhanced comfort of Air India’s premium cabins.
Under the sale, all-inclusive Premium Economy round-trip fares start from INR 13,300, while Business Class fares begin at INR 34,400. Routes on offer include popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kathmandu, Colombo, and Male, operated by aircraft featuring new or upgraded three-class cabin interiors.
Travellers booking via Air India’s website or mobile app will enjoy zero convenience fees and additional savings through promotional codes. Discounts include up to INR 2,400 per passenger with promo code FLYAI and up to INR 2,500 per passenger with Visa card payments using VISAFLY. The sale is valid for bookings made 2–7 September 2025, with travel permitted until 31 March 2026. Exclusively on 7 September, the offer will only be available via Air India’s digital platforms.
Visa cardholders can also avail of exclusive discounts:
- One-way international tickets – up to INR 1,500 off
- Round-trip international tickets – up to INR 2,500 off
The limited-period offer is available for bookings from 2-7 September 2025 for travel until 31 March 2026. Bookings under the sale will be available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, customer contact centre, and through travel agents. However, the sale is exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app on 7 September 2025.
As part of its ongoing fleet transformation, Air India now offers upgraded Business Class and Premium Economy cabins on 16 short-haul international routes, ensuring travellers enjoy a world-class experience. These include flights to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Kathmandu that are now operated by new, upgraded or retrofitted aircraft in a three-class cabin configuration, providing a world-class flying experience to travellers.
| Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip Fares Between Key Geographies (Ex-India, Partial Listing Only) |
|||
| Sector | Currency | Premium Economy | Business Class |
| Delhi – Kathmandu | INR | 13,300 | 34,400 |
| Delhi – Dhaka | INR | 16,100 | 66,500 |
| Mumbai – Colombo | INR | 22,700 | 48,800 |
| Delhi – Kuala Lumpur | INR | 23,700 | 64,700 |
| Delhi – Bangkok | INR | 25,200 | 64,400 |
| Mumbai – Singapore | INR | 24,800 | 91,600 |
| Delhi – Ho Chi Minh City | INR | 25,100 | 67,700 |
| Delhi – Male | INR | 39,400 | 97,600 |
| Delhi – Hong Kong | INR | 30,700 | 1,07,100 |
| Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip Fares Between Key Geographies (In To India, Partial Listing Only) |
|||
| Route | Currency | Premium Economy | Business Class |
| Abu Dhabi-Mumbai | AED | 900 | 2,500 |
| Dubai-Delhi | AED | 1,100 | 3,500 |
| Dubai-Hyderabad | AED | 1,200 | 2,500 |
| Hong Kong-Delhi | HKD | 3,700 | 14,300 |
| Denpasar-Delhi | IDR | 1,36,88,000 | 3,08,78,000 |
| Doha-Delhi | QAR | 1,080 | 2,780 |
| Singapore-Delhi | SGD | 428 | 1,292 |
| Bangkok-Delhi | THB | 9,215 | 27,801 |
| Jeddah-Delhi | SAR | 1,962 | 2,055 |
ITB India 2025, a leading B2B travel trade show organised by Messe Berlin, officially opened today in Mumbai, marking its third in-person edition as a premier B2B trade show and conference for the travel industry.
In a press statement, the organisers say that under the theme The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targetted Growth, the event brings together a global gathering of over 400 exhibitors, 600 high-caliber buyers and expects upwards of 8,000 trade visitors from sectors including MICE, leisure, corporate and travel technology.
The statement adds that the three-day event is co-located with MICE Show India and Travel Tech India, focussing on the rising demand for experience-driven travel with emphasis on wellness, culture, cinematic storytelling and adventure tourism.
The organisers say that Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh have been named the Official Partner States of ITB India 2025, showcasing their diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
It adds that these states are positioned as prime destinations offering authentic and immersive travel experiences beyond the usual tourist trails.
According to the statement, the exhibition features wide international participation across the entire tourism value chain. Key exhibitors include national tourism organizations, top MICE companies, online travel agencies, hospitality brands, travel tech providers and travel agents. Notable exhibitors such as Wonderful Indonesia, Visit Northern Finland, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Oman, and several others underline the event’s global scope and comprehensive market reach.
The organisers say that running alongside the trade show is the ITB India Conference 2025, featuring more than 40 sessions across four curated tracks, Knowledge Theatre, MICE & Corporate, Travel Tech and Experiential Travel. Industry leaders will discuss India’s growing outbound travel market, innovations in MICE and corporate travel, the transformative role of AI and analytics in travel tech, and the shift towards experiential and purpose-driven travel.
“ITB India 2025 demonstrates the vitality of the Indian and South Asian travel markets, serving as an essential platform for global engagement and collaboration. This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on experience-led travel while fostering fresh opportunities for dialogue, innovation and partnerships across MICE, Corporate, Leisure and Travel Technology. We are delighted to welcome our Official Partner States, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, whose participation brings India’s diversity and cultural depth to the forefront, further cementing ITB India’s position as a gateway to the future of travel,” says Darren Seah, Executive Director, Messe Berlin Asia Pacific and organiser of ITB India, MICE Show India and Travel Tech India.
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