The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict

Swedes in the middle of the war zone: “Explosions

Several Swedes are stuck in the border area between Thailand and Cambodia, where an armed conflict has broken out.

53-year-old Håkan has been asked to lock himself in his hotel room, just a few kilometers from the border with Cambodia.

“Bombs were flying and there were explosions everywhere. It’s like a full-scale war, I don’t know where to go,” he tells Expressen.

Tony Pettersson from Landskrona is with his family outside Khun Han in the Thai province of Sisaket, where the main highway has been closed.

“There was a bit of a tension in the air, somehow [...] Right now nothing is happening here, but if something were to happen, you have to try to get out of here as quickly as you can,” he tells P4 Malmöhus.

100 Swedes in the conflict area: “Be vigilant”

Around a hundred Swedes are in the border area in Thailand where fighting broke out on Thursday. This is stated by Anna Hammargren, Sweden's ambassador to the country, for Expressen.

- The call for those in border areas is to be vigilant, stay informed and obey the advice of the authorities, she says.

Thai authorities also state that it is "strictly forbidden" for tourists to visit the areas in question at the moment.

Thailand: The fighting must end before negotiations

The fighting between Thailand and Cambodia must end before the countries can begin negotiations. This is stated by Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, according to Reuters.

Wechayachai said during a press conference on Thursday that the conflict has not spread to any other provinces and that there is no declaration of war.

The border conflict - that's the point

• Armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia on the border have led to several deaths and injuries in the summer of 2025.
• Thailand har stängt flera gränsövergångar mot Kambodja och kallat hem sin ambassadör efter ökade militära konfrontationer.
• Thailand has closed several border crossings with Cambodia and recalled its ambassador after increased military confrontations.
• Thailand's military has carried out airstrikes with F-16s against Cambodian targets and urged its citizens to leave Cambodia.
• China has offered to mediate in the conflict, which has also led to political turmoil in Thailand.