The Smart Traveller platform has heightened its alert level for travel across the South-East Asian nation, advising Australians to exercise significant caution. Additionally, it recommends reassessing the necessity of visiting certain regions, notably the popular tourist destination of Siem Reap.

Since late July, Cambodia has been engaged in a military conflict with its neighboring country, stemming from border disagreements that date back to the early 20th century.

“We now advise exercising a high degree of caution overall due to the ongoing conflict and the accompanying security risks,” states the latest update from Smart Traveller.

“The security environment remains unpredictable,” it further elaborates.

Travelers are strongly advised to completely avoid regions within 50 kilometers of the Cambodia-Thailand border, specifically in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Battambang, Pailin, Pursat, and Koh Kong.

It also said Australians should reconsider their need to travel within 50-80 kilometres of the border, including in the larger cities of Battambang and the province of Siem Reap, where the world-famous Angkor Wat temple site is located.

Siem Reap is also the second-largest city in the country.

“Military strikes and violence, and the presence of landmines and unexploded ordinance,” are threats facing travellers in these locations, according to Smart Traveller.