Poipet-Aranyaprathet Border Crossing: Thai Navy Confirms Extended Closure

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Updated 2026-05-28 5 min

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In short

●The Thai Navy confirms the closure of the Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing as of May 28, 2026.
●Rumors of reopening are officially denied.
●Expats in Siem Reap must use other crossings or air travel.
●No reopening date has been announced.

Poipet-Aranyaprathet

Border Crossing

Closed

Status

May 28, 2026

Confirmation Date

Royal Thai Navy

Source

Closure confirmed. The Thai Navy announces that the Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing remains closed as of May 28, 2026.
Rumors denied. Speculation about an imminent reopening is officially dismissed.
Direct impact. This crossing is the busiest between Cambodia and Thailand, affecting thousands of travelers.
Limited alternatives. The Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) and O Smach crossings remain open but are less convenient for expats in Siem Reap.
No timeline. No reopening date has been communicated.

The closure of the Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing is part of ongoing border restrictions maintained by Thailand. Here are the key steps:

March 2020: Initial closure of Thai borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022-2025: Gradual reopening of most crossings, but Poipet-Aranyaprathet remains closed.
May 2026: Rumors of reopening circulate in expat communities.
May 28, 2026: The Thai Navy issues an official statement denying these rumors and confirming the continued closure.
Next steps: No reopening announcement is expected at this time.

The closure affects travelers differently depending on their profile. Here are the main segments affected:

Segment	Impact	Details
Expats in Siem Reap	High	Frequent trips to Thailand for visa runs, shopping, or tourism.
International tourists	Medium	Land itineraries disrupted, shift to flights or other crossings.
Cross-border traders	Very high	Economic activity nearly halted, significant income loss.
Daily commuters	Very high	Unable to cross the border for work or study.
Freight transporters	High	Detours via other crossings, increased costs and delays.

Complicated visa runs. Expats who used to do round trips to Thailand for visa renewals must now fly or go to another border crossing.
Increased costs. Travel to alternative crossings (Cham Yeam, O Smach) or flights to Bangkok cost more in time and money.
Fewer weekend options. Road trips to Aranyaprathet or Bangkok are no longer possible.
Pressure on other crossings. Cham Yeam and O Smach see increased traffic, leading to longer queues.
Ongoing uncertainty. The lack of a reopening date forces expats to revise long-term travel plans.

Check official sources. Consult announcements from the Thai Navy and the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before planning a trip.
Prefer air travel. To go to Thailand, take a flight from Siem Reap-Angkor Airport to Bangkok or other destinations.
Use alternative crossings. Check conditions at Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) and O Smach (Oddar Meanchey).
Anticipate delays. If using another crossing, allow extra time for formalities and queues.
Avoid rumors. Do not rely on unofficial information from social media or Telegram groups.
Prepare your documents. Ensure you have a valid passport, visa if needed, and proof of stay in Cambodia.
Contact your embassy. If in doubt, your embassy or consulate can provide updated advice.

Is the Poipet-Aranyaprathet border crossing permanently closed?

No, the closure is maintained indefinitely. No reopening date has been announced.

What other border crossings are open between Cambodia and Thailand?

The Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) and O Smach (Oddar Meanchey) crossings are open, but they are farther from Siem Reap.

Can I still travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok by road?

No, the land route via Poipet is closed. You must fly or use another border crossing.

Can expats do a visa run to Thailand?

Yes, but only by air or via alternative crossings. Expect additional costs.

Where can I find official information about reopening?

Follow announcements from the Royal Thai Navy and the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Published by

Siem Reap Hub

The community guide for expats and travelers in Siem Reap, Cambodia