lekatai

Two things people should be aware of.

a)The Cambodian e-visa is usually a good way to get a Cambodian Visa-but you must be aware it isn't valid for entry to Cambodia at all borders,there is a list of valid entry points on the Cambodian Governments website

b)as the last poster says,the Vietnamese visa mentioned is not the same thing.The correct name for it is a pre-approved visa.It's only valid for entry to Vietnam at an international airport-currently that's only Saigon,Hanoi and Da Nang.There's a fee to pay to get the approval letter,which ranges from 10-15 USD approx,and then the stamping fee on arrival,which is currently 45USD for a single entry 30 day tourist visa.It's still one of the cheapest ways to get a visa for Vietnam,but you can't use it to enter via a land border.Also,whilst the waiting time at the airport can be as little as 15 minutes,there are many reports of people having to wait far longer

You may or may not be aware that on entry to (and exit from) Cambodia via many (but not all) border crossings,you are now photographed and fingerprinted.At some crossings,your passport is also scanned.The fingerprint recognition system definitely works,as after the first occasion,when all your prints are scanned, subsequently the system only needs to scan one print in order to identify you.Whether the photographic process uses some sort of facial recognition software or not I don't know.But-currently-as I said,not all border crossings have the fingerprint/photo/passport scanner.So-if you enter Cambodia via one of these crossings,as long as you have a valid visa,you are just stamped in,and no checks of any kind are carried out on you or your passport,there is simply no way for the Immigration personnel to do so.So,as one poster has suggested,you could fly to (e.g) Saigon from London,from there travel to one of the smaller crossings to Cambodia,on arrival get a VOA and enter Cambodia there.If you then wanted to stay in Cambodia for a long time,you would initially get a so called ordinary (formerly business) visa,and extend it via an agency once in Cambodia.However,of course if at this stage there was some sort of inter ASEAN co-operation between Thailand and Cambodia,your original indiscretion might come to light,Personally I think it unlikely but it might be worth a try

Well,they don't.I'm not sure where you get your information from,or why "they"(whoever they are) should allow it.but it is currently NOT possible.I have lived here for more than 3 years,and,apart from the SEZ exemption that I referred to,it has never been possible.Perhaps you should not post inaccurate and misleading information on this (or any other) forum unless you actually know what you are talking about.In this case you clearly don't.Perhaps you could also make it clear exactly why you made the original post-as I first said,it's just a copy off a commercial website,which is out of date and inaccurate.

No it is not possible to do this.There used to be a scheme to enter the so called Ha Tien "Special Economic Zone" without a visa from the Prek Chak crossing point.This covered you to enter Ha Tien town,the area between the town and the Xa Xia crossing point,and Mui Ne beach area.It didn't technically cover you to go to Phu Quoc,however many people did do this,and the Immigration authorities chose to ignore it.That scheme finished in February this year.If you enter Vietnam through this crossing point now,you need a visa,just as at any other entry point into Vietnam.So,as I originally said,currently the ONLY way to enter Phu Quoc Island without a visa is via a cruise ship,(I believe one is actually due there at An Thoi port next month).When International flights actually start-no firm news yet,then it will be relevant information

Well,it's all very well to post this-but I'm not really sure why it has been posted,an explanation would help greatly.This is nothing new,it's been the case for years,but-there is currently no way to enter Phu Quoc through an "International border gate" except off a cruise ship.There are no International flights to Phu Quoc Island yet,although the new International airport is open,there aren't any international flights.

I had heard rumours that this was in the offing,but there were two customers here today that have actually got this new visa.It's the first time I've actually seen one.It's a full page sticker,which they got from a Cambodian Consulate in Switzerland,and it allows one entry to Cambodia for 30 days,and one entry to Thailand for 30 days.They told me it cost 50 euros,possibly if it's available from Cambodian or Thai consulates/embassies here in Asia it will be even cheaper.

Surely-given the details the OP has given,he should apply for a "Family visit visa" and not just a tourist visa,if he has been in a relationship with his daughters mum for the qualifying period(which I believe is defined as "a relationship akin to marriage for at least two of the three years immediately preceding the date of application"-or words to that effect)Does this type of application still have the right of appeal if the application is refused,whereas a simple tourist/visit visa does not?

In Principle the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh will issue a single entry tourist visa.

It just takes longer than the usual overnight service at other Thai Embassies or Consulates.

Use a agent or go to the gate and negotiate with the guard.

In most cases you will be asked to show a air ticket from Phnom Penh back into Thailand.

Official price is USD40.-, but expect to pay more if you want express service. Maximum around USD65.-.

I got a 60 day tourist visa there a couple of months ago,using an agency(Lucky Lucky on Monivong Blvd) The official price direct from the Embassy is 40USD,the agency quoted 45USD for a 4 day turnaround,or 55USD for 48 hours.No drama,passport back,with visa,as promised

Don't forget also that most countries-including Thailand-require that you have at least two completely blank pages in your passport when entering the country-if your passport is full,you may be refused entry

Well,I'm reporting back on my own post,having been to Phnom Penh and obtained the Tourist Visa.I didn't go to the Thai Embassy myself,but used a visa agency(Lucky Lucky on Monovong Blvd) The normal turnaround,for some reason,is 4 working days,for which they charge 45USD (so the agency take a 5USD fee- which I think is fair enough) If you want it back in 2 working days it costs an extra 10 USD.I gave them the passport on Monday afternoon,I also had a printout of an airline reservation,and hotel booking, which they didn't actually ask for,but took anyway,and one photo.I paid the extra 10 USD-so total cost 55USD,and had the passport/visa back on Wednesday 18.00,as promised.

Yes,as the last poster says-I live in Vietnam,on the South coast,close to the Cambodian border,so to get to Phnom Penh is quite easy,it's about 3-4 hours on a bus,(incl the border crossing),as at this time of year it's very quiet.I could,of course,go to Saigon,I know it's very easy to get a Thai tourist visa there,a few years ago,when I lived in Thailand,my then Vietnamese girlfriend got many more or less back to back Thai tourist visas there without any problems,and we always got the passport/visa back the next afternoon.But Saigon is about 8-9 hours on a bus,and then there is the travel across Saigon,so all in all it's quite a lot easier to go to Phnom Penh.I know in the past the staff there had a reputation for being not particularly helpful,but I wondered if they might be persuaded to do the visa in a couple of days,as it's not a "visa run situation" but a genuine one off tourist visa.Anyone had any experience of dealing with the staff there,or an agency in Phnom Penh?

Does anyone have up to date information on obtaining a single entry 60 day Thai tourist visa from the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh,i.e.time it takes and cost?.I have heard that it might take as long as 3 or 4 days to obtain but is it any quicker if you use one of the visa agencies there?I have never had a Thai tourist visa before,although I lived in Thailand for 5 years with a non Imm "O" visa (extended annually on the basis for retirement) before moving to Vietnam 2 years ago,where I currently have a 5 year visa exemption certificate.UK passport holder.Thanks in advance for any information.

"Bia Hoi"-usually translated as "fresh beer" has a very low alcohol content and is unpasteurised.Last time I was in Hanoi it was widely available for 3000VND a glass-about 7 beers for 1 USD or 10 for one GBP.There's a road junction in the old quarter called Bia Hoi corner-it's just off Hang Bac Street-there are about 4 of the open air street bars selling Bia Hoi on this one junction.Very refreshing

By the way, it is advisable to take $US. they are used for everything.

Actually that's not true.Whilst you might see prices quoted in USD for some things-e.g. hotel prices in Saigon or other big cities,that's only for comparison,it's actually illegal in Vietnam to charge in anything other than VND.Certainly in smaller towns,and off the tourist trail,you never see USD,all prices are in VND.You might be able to use USD in larger cities,but you won't get a very favourable exchange rate.it's quite easy to exchange any major currency in banks in Vietnam,and all ATM's(of which there are many) dispense VND

I have lived in Vietnam for 2 years-because I am married to a vietnamese citizen,it's actually extremely easy to live here.BUT-if you aren't married to a Vietnamese it's a lot more difficult.Long term visas are not particularly easy to obtain,and the rules change frequently,so that it might be easy on one occasion, and then there is a clampdown.It's not at all easy to get a work permit,unless it is for something like a teaching job-even then there's a lot of paperwork.To run your own business would be extremely difficult,I believe you would need a Vietnamese company,or at least a Vietnamese partner.It might be a good idea to travel to and around Vietnam for an extended period and see if there is somewhere you particularly like,and make enquiries at that location

Yes they will fit-we moved from Thailand to Vietnam,and all the electrical appliances we brought with us fit the sockets.You don't need any adapter.

Yes,both of these methods will work,I've done both.There are a couple of points to be aware of though.1)Some macines don't accept Maestro cards-only Visa.2)If you go into the bank with your card,you will have to enter your PIN into a hand held reader,the advantage of going into the bank is that you can take out whatever your bank allows as a daily limit,a lot of ATM's only allow a maximumof 2M VND,which is only about 60GBP. 3)I think the black strip you mention is the magnetic one-my UK debit cards are like this,and they work fine

Also.don't forget that if going to Vietnam,you must have obtained a visa in advance or a pre-approved visa,there's no visa on arrival

Yes-no problem at all-I have done this several times.

There have actually been three serious bus crashes in Cambodia over the past week.The one refered to in the OP was actually a Virak Buntham bus,the driver of the truck was killed and there were 7 others seriously injured.The two previous crashes both involved Paramount Angkor buses

Re #4 from "MJCM" I've used this minibus several times now,Their office is on Pattaya Tai,not far from Sukhumvit Road.The minibuses are new,and comfortable.The staff in the office speak good English-I normally go there in person and book and pay for the tickets.It costs 350THB one way from Pattaya to the Koh Chang ferry,which I think is pretty good value.The minibus stops a couple of times on the way at petrol stations to refuel and for toilet/refreshments.Definitely the best way to go.Last time they picked me up at the hotel as well,included in the price(I didn't realise this was an option previously)

Your G/F should apply for a "Family visit visa" as #5 says,using either your relationship with her as a basis for this-if you qualify (2 years out of the last 3) and/OR her relationship with your son.It doesn't matter that (as #3 and #4 say-both incorrectly)-your son is traveling with you and isn't a permanent resident in the UK.The relationship is such (mother/son) that it qualifies her to apply for a FVV The fact that your son (and yourself,if you qualify) are traveling with her and aren't resident in the UK is irrelevant .I would think it would be better to wait until your sons passport arrives,so you can put the details on the application.We were in a very similar position to yourself ,and our sons passport only took about 2 weeks to arrive

You say in your post "unmarried partner" but didn't say how long you have been in a relationship.If you have (I think this is the correct wording) "Lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for a period of two years in the three years immediately preceding the date of application" You can apply for a different class of visitor visa-a family visit visa.The criteria for issuing a visa are the same.ie. proof of relationship, availability of funds and reason to return-but,if refused there is a right of appeal.If you do fit into this category maybe you should consider applying for this.

OK thanks for the replies.Re #2 I tried reseting the modem/router-no change I then tried disabling AVG-again no change.Re #4-I think there is only one,but I'll check and see if there is an alternative provider.Re #6-both desktops that I tried have AVG on them.Re #7 using IE or Firefox-the result is the same-just tried Google Chrome-exactly the same result.Re the immunize function in Spybot-yes I did use it,but I just undid it and tried again to open Hotmail-still the same problem.

I have been having a problem with my desktop for a few days now.Some sites(but not all) will either not load at all,take ages to load,or load with errors.The most important is hotmail,which will load,after a delay of a couple of minutes,but the pages are displayed in a different format,with some buttons superimposed on others,and if I try to open the inbox,either it won't open,or takes ages if I go to it via my profile page.Some other sites, such as Thorntree(lonely planet) simply won't open at all or load in just a typeface format with no pictures.Whereas other sites,like Thai Visa or Tripadvisor open perfectly,and as quickly as normal. Other sites such as my UK online bank operate completely normally,as do all the Pattaya,Thai or Khmer forums that I post on.I haven't changed anything on my computer,to which no one else has access,I've run Spybot and AVG,with no results,defragmented the hard drive,run CCleaner and Window washer,and it doesn't make any difference I even plugged another computer in to the line,and it's exactly the same on that computer as well.Anyone got any ideas?? Cheers