As of December 2025, Thailand’s southernmost border checkpoint with Cambodia has been closed since clashes erupted in July 2025, transforming a once-vibrant hub into a ghost town 👻.
The shutdown has severed key routes to Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, bringing cross-border trade and tourism to a standstill. Empty cargo trucks 🚚 line the roads, while local vendors watch in despair as foot traffic dries up.
Market stalls that used to buzz with chatter and haggling now sit abandoned. Small businesses, from street food carts to souvenir shops, have all felt the pain of the prolonged closure. Many owners say they’ve seen their daily income drop by over 80% this holiday season.
Residents and entrepreneurs are calling for a swift reopening to revive travel and trade. “We just want our community back,” says a local shopkeeper. With no clear timeline for resolution, uncertainty hangs over this border town’s future.
For now, the quiet checkpoints and deserted streets stand as a stark reminder of how quickly peace and prosperity can be disrupted. Young travelers and traders alike watch and wait, hoping for a breakthrough that will bring life back to the borderlands.
Reference(s):
Thailand-Cambodia border closure turns once-busy town into ghost town
cgtn.com
