Seen all,learnt nothing

Having reread my post I need to emphasise it is Cambodian immigration who want a backhander.

The crossing became an official entry point to Thailand on 1 Sept 2002. Before that my Isaan friends advise me it was restricted to locals crossing with IDs only. So in fact the Cambodians could not have issued a visa. Hence, from what Diablo Bob says, came the opportunity for a little pocket money for Thai imm.

I support what Monty says. I would also add that the orginal 30 day extension is "at the discretion of the immgration officer" but I've no idea how often it is refused.

Mister Fixit,

Crossing and re-entering at Chong Chom/O smach (pedantic point: not Osmach)

should be a breeze.

You may find a longish winding queue, mainly weekends, which will be Thais anxious to lose their money at the 2 casinos in no-mans land. Do not join this queue! Instead go to a small airconditioned office immediately facing you for use of the occasional traveller actually crossing the border.

My experience for what it's worth: when walking from this office to the Cambodian entry post you will almost certainly be joined by a friend. Smile and relax. He will invite you to his nearby village for rest and relaxation - don't bother. He is also in league with immigration and will INSIST there is a 300THB fee for entering and exiting Cambodia on the same day. You INSIST you know this not to be the case. Having crossed the road from the entry to exit posts (10 seconds walk) he will tell immmigration in english that you refuse to pay. SMILE and wait for your passport to be stamped. The immigration officer will not demand the money but will keep the passport on his desk and politely ask if you don't want to GIVE anything. My suggestion give him 100 to have a beer on you. Then return to LOS. DONT GIVE YOUR HELPER A SINGLE BAHT.

The whole process should be completed in 15mins.

A last thought. Hand over the 1000baht entry fee with your passport. I have read reports elsewhere (maybe in the Isaan Forum) that if you wait for them to ask they may try and up the fee.