PATTAYA, THAILAND – The Royal Thai Navy firmly rejected social media rumours that land crossings into Cambodia would soon reopen, dashing hopes for quick and cheap visa runs.
The dream of easy border runs ends
For many German, Austrian and Swiss residents in Pattaya, trips to Cambodia had long been a simple routine. They used to drive from the beach for a one-day visit across the border, renew their permission to stay in Thailand, and be back home two days later. The cost was typically only a few hundred baht for fuel and tolls.
Since the border closures, that model had already come to a halt. The remaining hope that conditions might soon improve was buried on Wednesday when the Royal Thai Navy issued a clear denial of any imminent change.
Navy: No change in policy
A spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy stated there was no plan to reopen the land crossings and no policy shift in sight, as well as no “urgent pressure to act” to ease controls.
Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyaphan dismissed social media rumours as “completely false”. Reports that Thailand would open “humanitarian supply channels” to Cambodia were described as disinformation.
What this means for travellers
There was no route available via Chanthaburi or Trat, as land borders in these provinces remained closed. Controls continued to be strictly enforced and were based on national security laws.
Travellers needing to extend their stay could no longer use the two- to three-hour option of a quick Cambodia run. Flights to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia or bus trips via Laos through Ubon Ratchathani were the remaining alternatives, described as costly, exhausting and time‑consuming.
What used to be a fast day trip had turned into a more complex journey involving flights, hotels and at least two overnight stays. The total cost could easily reach 10,000–20,000 baht, compared with the earlier 500–1,000 baht.
Why the Navy holds a hard line
The Navy spokesman also warned that spreading such rumours could confuse the public and might be intended to stir up “moods from beyond the border”. Authorities would investigate the matter and take legal action.
A Navy source stressed that any decision to reopen the border had to be carefully examined “from all dimensions”, with security taking priority. So far, Cambodia had not submitted any official request.
Signals from Phnom Penh
Earlier reports suggested that Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen might signal a willingness to reopen. The rumour that Thailand would soon follow likely grew out of these reports.
While Cambodia might be moving towards a more flexible stance, Thailand was described as remaining firm. For visa planning, this meant that travellers should expect the more expensive options, as the quick border alternative was no longer available.
No request, no timeline
According to Navy information, Cambodia would first have to submit a formal request through official channels, from the border defence command to the Navy, then the defence minister and the government. This had not happened.
This meant there was not even an informal process under way. The border therefore stayed closed, with no visible prospect of change in the foreseeable future.
Planning the next steps
For managing visas, travellers were advised to have a plan B, such as a flight run to Malaysia as a somewhat cheaper option, or a longer but less expensive bus run to Laos. Another option was to apply early for a longer-term visa, including Non‑OA retirement, marriage visa or Elite membership.
The era of the quick one‑day Cambodia border trip for visa purposes was described as over.