Cambodia

President Trump said that he thought Cambodia and Thailand were “going to be fine” after he spoke to both PMs. However, Thai PM has said that Bangkok will not follow the peace agreement unless Cambodia apologises for the latest landmine incident

The Cambodian Civil Aviation Spokesperson has officially rejected false social media rumours claiming that Thailand has announced the closure of flights with Cambodia. The rumours suggested Thailand was retaliating because other countries were shifting to direct flights with Cambodia. He confirmed that no official notice has been received from Thai authorities, and he urged the public to stop sharing such false information to prevent misunderstandings

On 12 Nov, Cambodia launched Phase 1 of the Cross-Border QR Code Payment System with Singapore, enabling Cambodian travellers to make real-time, local currency payments by scanning SGQR codes using the Bakong app. Phase 2 will allow Singaporean users to scan KHQR codes in Cambodia, completing a two-way payment bridge. On the same day, the National Bank of Cambodia signed an MOU with China's TenPay Global to establish interoperability between the Bakong system and Weixin Pay

Malaysia has offered to host another peace talk to defuse reignited border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia

During a high-level meeting between the Tourism Minister and Laos Culture and Tourism Minister, both sides agreed to upgrade and deepen their tourism cooperation to attract more visitors. The plan focuses on collaborating via regional frameworks (ASEAN, GMS, etc.) to establish direct flights, launch joint promotion events in border provinces, and create combined tour packages. A key initiative discussed is establishing a heritage tour route linking Angkor Wat and Laos's Wat Phu

The 30th Anniversary of the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon will be held on 7 Dec at the Angkor Wat area. According to the Marathon Committee Representative Office of Cambodia Events Organiser, the event is set to welcome over 15,500 runners, including over 3,000 international participants from 86 countries, +10.7% YoY. The event serves a humanitarian cause, with all proceeds supporting the campaign to ban antipersonnel mines and provide assistance, such as prosthetic limbs, to landmine victims

According to the Ministry of Tourism: From Jan-Sep 2025, Cambodia recorded 18.69 million domestic trips, +53% YoY Phnom Penh received 7.46 million domestic trips, while Siem Reap Angkor recorded 2.66 million domestic trips The 4 coastal provinces (Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Kampot, and Koh Kong) collectively recorded 6.63 million domestic trips

A new assessment released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 11 Nov concluded that the current 19% US tariff on Cambodian exports, imposed in August 2025, is manageable and has a negligible immediate effect on GDP because it is still lower than the rate faced by regional competitors. However, the ADB warns that this stability is highly conditional. If the US were to impose the higher, 36% tariff that remains under consideration, the economic impact would become severe, potentially causing GDP to decline by nearly 1%, eliminating 130,000 jobs, and raising the poverty rate. The report stresses that Cambodia must pursue economic diversification to reduce its long-term vulnerability to such external trade shocks

The Federation of Saudi Chambers announced plans to lead a delegation of Saudi investors to Cambodia in Dec to explore the nation’s growing tourism potential and investment opportunities. This mission follows a high-level meeting between Federation Chairman and Cambodian Minister of Tourism at the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh on 11 Nov. The discussions highlighted Cambodia’s focus on sustainable tourism and its goal to diversify its tourism markets through increased cooperation with Middle Eastern investors

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson announced that Thailand is demanding an apology from Cambodia after accusing it of laying new landmines that have injured Thai soldiers. Cambodia's Defence Ministry has denied having laid new landmines

According to a Ministry of Tourism report: From Jan-Sep 2025, Cambodia recorded 4.37 million international tourists, -8.8% YoY 978,826 Thais and 906,398 Vietnamese travelled to Cambodia, -35.9% YoY and -6.9% YoY respectively 889,089 Chinese visited Cambodia during the period, +46.3% YoY

Thailand officially suspended the implementation of its peace agreement with Cambodia on 10 Nov after a landmine explosion near the border in Sisaket province injured 2 Thai soldiers. The Thai Prime Minister stated that the security threat had not truly eased. This suspension means that crucial next steps, such as the release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers, are now paused

The 3-day Water Festival in 2025 attracted over 2.36 million tourists nationwide, including 44,208 foreign visitors, and 2,320,199 domestic tourists. An economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) estimated that the domestic spending alone could have generated between $300-$400 million USD in cash flow for the national economy. Siem Reap was the most visited provincial capital with 368,246 visitors, +5.75% YoY. However, total tourism numbers for the 2025 festival were lower than 2024's total at 7.84 million, especially for Phnom Penh (over 6 million in 2024 vs 302,659 in 2025)

On 10 Nov, the Prime Minister met with the Republic of Korea Foreign Minister at the Peace Palace. Both sides agreed to strengthen and broaden cooperation across multiple key areas for the mutual benefit of their citizens. The enhanced partnership will focus on economy, investment, trade, national defence, industry, and tourism promotion, alongside bolstering people-to-people exchanges. The PM affirmed that the safety and well-being of Koreans living and working in the country remains a government priority

Cambodia saw 2,364,407 million visitors for the Water Festival, including 44,208 international tourists. The most visited destination was Siem Reap, followed by Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Pailin

According to the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism, over 368,000 tourists visited Siem Reap during the Water Festival, including around 358,600 domestic tourists and locals, and 9,646 international visitors from 4-6 Nov. The boat cruise and floating market along the river were scheduled to continue until 8 Nov

According to the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism, during the 3-day Royal Water Festival (4-6 Nov), Battambang province hosted 123,955 visitors (+12.19% YoY), including 123,080 domestic tourists (+12.22% YoY) and 875 international visitors (+7.76% YoY)

Cambodia's Minister of Tourism held a working session with TUI Group during the official visit to attend the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025 in London. The Minister acknowledged TUI Group’s current investment in constructing 2 five-star hotels in Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap, as well as plans for additional new projects under discussion

Audley Travel, a UK tour operator, committed to increasing the number of British tourists visiting Cambodia during a meeting at the WTM 2025 in London with the Minister of Tourism. Audley pledged to promote Cambodia's appeal, specifically leveraging Lonely Planet's recognition of Siem Reap as a 2025 must-visit destination, to a wider UK audience

Preah Sihanouk province saw over 321,000 visitors during the Water Festival, +3.08% YoY. Domestic tourists were 312,478, +2.99% YoY, whilst international ones were 8,598, +6.27% YoY. 315,997 headed to the beaches and resort areas, +3.1% YoY, and the airport saw 1,308 pax, +76.99% YoY. Visits to the islands saw a drop of 11.29% YoY, with international arrivals down 22.16% YoY

On 4 Nov, the Cambodian Minister of Commerce met with the Minister of Trade of Turkey in Ankara to discuss bilateral economic and trade relations. Both sides recognised that the two countries serve as gateways to broader regional markets. The Ministers agreed to encourage the private sector to increase engagement, interaction, and establish partnerships.markets. The 2 Ministries will collaborate closely to organise business-matching events, trade exhibitions, and other promotional events to boost cooperation

On 4 Nov, at the World Travel Market in London, the Minister of Tourism met with representatives from BBC Global News Limited to secure the network's help in promoting Cambodia’s tourism potential globally. The collaboration will focus on highlighting Cambodia's culinary traditions and cultural experiences. The Minister invited the BBC representatives to visit the Kingdom soon to explore and showcase its attractions

According to Angkor Enterprise, from Jan-Oct 2025, a total of 68,418 Chinese tourists visited the Angkor Archaeological Park (+7.6% YoY). China was the fourth-largest source of international tourist arrivals to the park during this period. The top 3 source markets were the U.S., the U.K., and France

According to reports from South Korean media, most Korean-run restaurants, travel agencies, and tourism enterprises in Siem Reap have seen their revenues plummet due to South Korea’s ongoing special travel advisory. From Jan-Jul 2025, the number of South Koreans visiting Cambodia was -9% YoY, totalling 106,686 arrivals. In contrast, Indonesia recorded a 19% increase in Korean tourist arrivals during the same period. To rebuild confidence and address safety concerns, Cambodia and South Korea have agreed to establish a joint working group, operating from Nov 2025, to tackle online scams and transnational crimes

According to Angkor Enterprise, from Jan-Oct 2025, Angkor Archaeological Park saw a slight decline in tourism, receiving 765,518 international visitors, -1.12% YoY, with revenue dropping to $35.57 million USD, -1.15% YoY. The Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter noted that a significant increase in arrivals is unlikely unless Cambodia introduces strong incentives, such as free visas or special incentive packages for travellers and destination management companies, to combat the stagnation

On 31 Oct, the Minister of Tourism met with the Governor of Jiangsu Province during his visit to Suzhou City. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to jointly implementing the "Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025" initiative to boost tourist flow between the 2 nations. The meeting focused on establishing a practical action plan to deepen tourism cooperation

On 31 Oct, the Minister of Tourism announced that the safety and security of visitors to Cambodia is guaranteed, asserting the nation remains a safe, hospitable destination. He confirmed the government has implemented strict and immediate measures to suppress all online scam activities, which he clarified are mostly isolated incidents perpetrated by illegal foreign networks. While crackdowns have led to the arrest and deportation of foreign offenders and the dismantling of illegal establishments, the Minister emphasised that no tourists have fallen victim to these criminal groups, other than those directly involved with the perpetrators themselves

Despite the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration for peace, the fate of 18 Cambodian soldiers captured 93 days ago remains uncertain, as Thailand continues to link their release to Cambodia fulfilling four key agreements, including the withdrawal of heavy weapons and landmine clearance

The APSARA National Authority (ANA), via its Department of Tourism Development and Culture, held a workshop to promote and discuss the implementation of new tourist circuits at several major temples, including Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei. The core aim is to gain support and marketing for these new routes among both national and international visitors. The event gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, the Police Unit, and various tourism sector companies and experts

On 29 Oct, the Eighth Vietnam-Cambodia Defence Policy Dialogue was held in HCMC, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence and Cambodian Permanent Secretary of State General. Key agreements for the future include enhancing delegation exchanges, improving human resource training, and collaborating on border management (land and sea). The dialogue concluded with the signing of an MoU on military and defence law cooperation

On 30 Oct, the Norwegian cruise ship Viking Venus arrived at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port for a 2-day stop, bringing a total of 1,271 people on board, including 808 tourists and 463 crew members representing 40 nationalities, with the largest groups of passengers coming from the US (671) and Canada (58). The ship arrived from Vietnam and departed for Thailand on 31 Oct

On 29 Oct, the Governor of Preah Sihanouk Province inaugurated a 3-day Sports Tourism Event on Koh Rong Island, aiming to boost tourism during the green season under the theme "Sports for Tourism, Tourism for All". The event promotes Koh Rong City through a series of competitions and entertainment activities, including a 2,000-metre obstacle race, beach volleyball, kayak racing, and International Kun Khmer boxing matches

The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism is urging private sector operators to apply for the ASEAN MICE Standard certification between Oct and early Dec, as part of a strategy to boost service quality and competitiveness in business tourism. This regional benchmark evaluates venues based on infrastructure, technology, and service quality, and successful applicants will receive official certification and be eligible for awards at the 44th ASEAN Tourism Forum in Jan 2026

According to a statement issued by Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB), the number of visitors to Koh Rong Islands nearly doubled from around 93,700 in 2023 to 184,600 in 2024. In Q1 2025, the islands welcomed over 100,400 visitors, including nearly 38,000 international tourists

Deputy Spokesperson of the Thai Foreign Ministry announced that both Thailand and Cambodia have begun withdrawing heavy weapons from the border following the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Declaration. She added that the 18 Cambodian prisoners of war will undergo a thorough health check-up by the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of their release

The Port Yves Palace project, a landmark luxury hotel and residential complex on Koh Rong, held its ground-breaking ceremony recently. The Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Minister endorsed the development as a model for responsible growth, aligning with the government's vision to make Koh Rong a "model for sustainable island development" within the Preah Sihanouk province. The project is expected to create over 350 permanent jobs

Following their meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, the Cambodian Prime Minister and Russian Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed the friendship between Cambodia and Russia and their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. Russia expressed its intent to broaden cooperation across key areas, including trade, vaccine production, energy security, and logistics. In response, the Cambodian PM encouraged Russia to dispatch expert delegations to Cambodia to engage directly with relevant ministries and the private sector to ensure practical outcomes in these priority sectors

The Techo Santepheap Kep Beach Development Project, a public-private initiative covering 2,700 metres of coastline, is now complete and ready to welcome visitors. The Kep Province Governor said that while the beach and wave control measures are finished, and the Lok Yay Chamteav Mao roundabout is structurally complete, the 21-metre-high sculpture remains under construction. Further planned infrastructure, including pedestrian and bicycle paths, will be developed in line with the project's plans

The APSARA National Authority (ANA) announced the launch of 3 categories of new sightseeing routes, including short-term, medium-term, and long-term routes across the Angkor area to offer visitors more diverse and immersive experiences. Specific temples like Ta Prohm and Neak Poan now feature multiple touring options, including a boat tour. ANA spokesman explained the routes are designed to enhance visitors' understanding of the temples' cultural and historical significance, with features like information boards and photo points, and are part of a future plan to ensure every temple has a clearly arranged and well-facilitated tourist route

The Thai and Cambodian PMs have signed an eight-point joint declaration of peace, witnessed by the US President and the Malaysian PM: • Commitment to Peace and Security • Adherence to Border Agreements – which was set at the General Border Committee (GBC) meetings • Establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) – to ensure ceasefire implementation • Measures to De-escalating Tensions and Restoring Confidence – including removing military de-escalation and removing heavy weapons from border areas, and restricting the dissemination of false information, among others • Release of Prisoners of War • Enhanced Cooperation on Security and Border Control • Acknowledge the Need to Chart a Course for a Bright Future • Witnessed by Global Leaders

The First Army Region dismissed claims that border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo will reopen on 1 Nov. The army stated that crossings in the province will remain closed until further order

Following the signing of their Joint Declaration in Kuala Lumpur on 26 Oct, Cambodia and Thailand immediately began the partial removal of heavy and destructive weapons, marking the first phase of their disarmament plan. This step was witnessed by the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) and the US and Malaysian Prime Ministers

The new US-Cambodia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, signed by President Donald Trump, provides access for US exporters by requiring Cambodia to eliminate all tariffs on 100% of US goods, including agricultural and industrial products. In return, the US will maintain a 19% reciprocal tariff on most Cambodian imports, with exceptions for certain products receiving a 0% rate. Beyond tariffs, Cambodia has committed to removing non-tariff barriers by recognising US regulatory oversight for agricultural goods and industrial exports, strengthening labour protections, and enhancing economic security alignment with the US on supply chain resilience and digital trade

During a bilateral meeting at the 47th ASEAN Summit, Cambodian Prime Minister and Republic of Korea President affirmed their commitment to deepening their relationship. The leaders primarily focused on enhancing cooperation to combat transnational crime, especially the rising threat of online fraud involving Korean nationals in Cambodia. To formalise this security cooperation, both sides agreed to establish a joint working group in Nov to enhance law enforcement efforts

The U.S. President Donald Trump oversaw the formalisation of an agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in Malaysia to manage their border dispute, which he termed the "Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords." Trump used the mediation to bolster his case for a Nobel Peace Prize and offered major trade and critical minerals deals to the respective countries in exchange for the resolution, which includes the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war. While Trump hailed it as a "peace deal", the Thais referred to it as a "declaration," noting that true peace hinges on Cambodia meeting conditions such as troop withdrawal and anti-cyber-scam measures

On 23 Oct, Cambodia's Minister of Tourism met with the Representative of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in Cambodia. The CRBC expressed its interest in developing potential tourism areas along the Funan Techo Canal. The Minister "expressed his full support" for CRBC to continue its work with the Royal Government. He also encouraged the CRBC representative to attract further investors to develop tourism infrastructure and strengthen the overall tourism value chain in the canal area

The Chinese International Economic and Technical Cooperation Company is collaborating with the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism to enhance human resource development through professional training in Smart Tourism and Hotel Management. The initiative aims to improve educational quality and increase employment. Both sides also agreed to focus on enhancing Chinese language skills for Cambodian tour guides and to co-host major tourism exchange and vocational education events in Cambodia to meet the increasing demand from Chinese tourists

The Dara Sakor Half Marathon 2025 is scheduled to take place on 30 Nov 2025 in Dara Sakor Coastal City in Koh Kong province. It is a free, community-based sports event, organised by Coastal City Development in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism. Its dual purpose is to significantly promote coastal tourism and encourage public health through sports. The event features 3 categories, including a professional Half Marathon (21.0975 km), and 2 recreational runs (10 km and 5 km)

The Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has opened two new facilities, Plaza Premium First and the Plaza Premium Lounge at the new Techo International Airport (KTI) in Phnom Penh. This marks the debut of the Plaza Premium First brand in Cambodia, which has a capacity for 110 guests, featuring interiors inspired by Cambodian culture

The Government of Luxembourg will open an office for the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency (Lux-Development S.A.) in Cambodia, building on the General Cooperation Agreement signed on 31 Mar 2025. This office is intended to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation and contribute to Cambodia’s socio-economic development. The partnership will focus on crucial areas, including economic development and poverty reduction, education and vocational training, health, sustainable development, and humanitarian demining

Cambodian Minister of Tourism met with the newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reaffirmed its commitment to support Cambodia's sustainable tourism growth. The partners agreed to strengthen their strategic cooperation to enhance eco-tourism development, with key joint priorities focusing on reducing plastic waste and promoting responsible tourism in coastal areas

From 22-24 Oct, the CAMFOOD & CAMHOTEL 2025, an international expo on food and hospitality, was held at the Diamond Island Exhibition and Convention Centre in Phnom Penh. The Tourism Minister urged the private sector to link tourism with trade and commerce. The 3-day international fair attracted up to 300 booths from nine countries and showcased global innovations for the hospitality sector. The Minister of Tourism said that the Ministry is set to launch a human resource development plan to address the urgent need for skilled labour and boost expertise across Cambodia's tourism sector

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) organised the 2-day "Tourism Street Talk" to facilitate dialogue between the public and government officials, held at Chaktomuk Walk Street in Phnom Penh. The event was held under the themes "Art as a Cornerstone of Tourism" and "Tourism in the Digital Age". The programme attracted a mix of artists, influencers, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and content creators, alongside local and international visitors

The Battambang Provincial Administration recently convened a meeting to implement procedures for monitoring foreign nationals residing in hotels, guesthouses, and rental houses across the province. Led by the General Department of Immigration and local authorities, the primary objective is to strengthen data collection on foreign residents and prevent online criminal activities and illegal acts. Local officials reaffirmed their commitment to work with police and immigration to carry out necessary on-site inspections

The Cambodian Minister of Tourism and his wife visited the newly inaugurated "Khmer Craftsmen Village". The market displays a diverse range of locally made Khmer goods, including fresh produce, household items, souvenirs, regional foods, and various services. The Ministry of Tourism is now calling on influencers and content creators to promote the village widely

The Ministry of Tourism and the Siem Reap Provincial Administration jointly organised a workshop on "Promoting tourism investments in Siem Reap and surrounding areas" to identify opportunities and strategies for strengthening infrastructure and developing sustainable tourism projects. The event brought together around 80 participants from key government ministries, including the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and private sector stakeholders. The workshop was followed by a national consultation meeting across all 25 provincial tourism departments to review progress on community tourism and ecotourism in preparation for the Fourth National Ecotourism Forum scheduled for late Nov 2025 in Siem Reap