It was at the end of July that the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia flared up, with five days of intense fighting that claimed at least 35 lives. On July 28, the countries agreed on a ceasefire.
During the period of August 1-7, just over a week after the armed conflict broke out, Swedes' travel bookings to Thailand increased by ten percent compared to the same period last year, according to travel agency Ticket's statistics.
Winter trips to Bangkok, Phuket, and Krabi are among the top three for Swedes.
One travels to tourist areas and not to the border, that's not where Swedes flock to, says Tiyoneh Jah.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) has had an advisory against travel to Thailand since 2015, which applies to non-essential travel to several provinces.
On July 25 this year, the UD decided to add Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathiani, which constitute the border area with Cambodia. They also advised against all travel up to 20 kilometers from the neighboring country.
Of the most popular destinations for Swedes, Bangkok is closest to the border.
I think one has confidence in the UD and that they would advise against traveling to Thailand altogether if needed, says Tiyoneh Jah.
The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia deteriorated already in May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead during an exchange of fire across the border. At the same time, booked trips with Ticket, from June 1 to mid-August this year, have increased by about five percent compared to last year.
The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia escalated when fighting broke out on July 24 this year. The next day, the UD changed its advisory for Thailand. Through the change, the advisory was extended to cover even more provinces than before.
Since 2015, the UD has had an advisory for several Thai provinces. Currently, the advisory applies to all travel to the border area with Cambodia (within 20 kilometers from the border), as well as from non-essential travel to other parts of the provinces of Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathiani, and the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, and Songkhla.
Source: UD
