Following a slight easing of tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border, thousands of tourists flocked to Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province. The report described this as showing that Cambodia remained a safe, secure and stable destination for domestic and international tourists.
According to the provincial tourism department, Preah Sihanouk welcomed 1,927 tourists, including 1,040 women, on the morning of January 23, 2026, when the Dutch-flagged cruise ship WESTERDAM docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. The nearly 2,000 tourists represented 40 nationalities, led by 917 Americans and 316 Canadians. There were also 822 crew members, including 163 women. They would visit city beaches, pagodas and Phsar Leu, among other attractions.
On January 21, provincial leaders, including Deputy Governor Samut Sothearith, welcomed 45 Chinese tourists arriving on a direct Cambodia Airways flight from Chengdu to Sihanoukville. The direct connection was seen as particularly beneficial to Cambodia’s coastal tourism, as Sihanoukville serves as a gateway to popular beaches and nearby islands.
Separately, Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism announced on January 19 that the country remained a safe, secure and stable destination for domestic and international tourists. It said major destinations including Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk, as well as other tourism destinations, remained open as usual and welcomed visitors under strict safety assurances from the competent authorities.
By: Nget Pisant
