An incident that has left travelers and officials alike upset
Poipet, Cambodia — A German citizen caused considerable unrest at the Thai-Cambodian border last week after he was refused entry into Thailand.
The incident occurred at the border crossing at Poipet, a busy point for travelers carrying out so-called visa runs.
The Thai border police explain to the German that he has already left Thailand three times within a short period of time and is only allowed to enter one more time with a “visa on arrival”.
In order to re-enter the country, the officials say, he now needs a regular tourist visa.
However, the German showed no understanding and reacted increasingly aggressively. Angry tirades in German and English escalated the situation, in which he accused the officials of only being interested in bribes and loudly demanded to know how much money he had to pay in order to be allowed to cross the border.
The rowdy behavior caused a long line of waiting travelers to form behind him.
Two Thai officials finally intervene and carefully but firmly lead the German back to the Cambodian border police to clarify the situation.
In a discussion between officials from both countries that was incomprehensible to the German, he was ultimately refused entry to Thailand again.
What followed was another outburst of anger from the German, now towards the Cambodian officials.
He is demanding the immediate return of his passport with plans to travel to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh to apply for a regular visa.
However, Cambodian officials made it clear that leaving Cambodia was only possible on the condition that he applied for a new visa in his home country. How the situation ended for the German affected remains uncertain. It is clear that aggressive and angry behavior at border crossings not only endangers your own journey, but can also cause unnecessary difficulties for all border staff and other travelers. This incident underlines the importance of carefully informing yourself about current visa requirements and regulations before traveling and respecting them in order to avoid such escalating situations.
https://www.wochenblitz.com/news/deutscher-beim-visa-run-nach-kambodscha-von-thailaendischen-grenzpolizisten-zurueckgewiesen