Poipet crossing - tea money

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Chrisdoc said:

There is alot of info on wikitravel about the Koh Kong border scams. I went online and printed out a notice from Travel Cambodia about a visa for $30 usd. At the Koh Kong immigration office they asked for 1500b,showed them the notice, they said it was wrong, I said my friend from Tourism Cambodia gave it to me. They asked why do you come here and not fly, I said I love Cambodia and don't like planes. Sat for 5 minutes in silence. I had the 30usd in my hand. Went through it all again. After 15 minutes or so they they gave in and gave me the visa for 30usd. Three weeks later went through again. Same discussion, same wait. If you are polite and patient and persistent they will give it to you. The printout about a visa helped. The e-visa has a hidden credit card charge and if you are on a budget or a regular crosser it can be a pain.

You are correct that it is possible to get the official US$ 30 price for visa on arrival, even at Koh Kong. However, it is way harder than at other border crossings. You need both patience, and friendly insistence. If you get stroppy with them, they can and will give you grief.

[Chrisdoc]

You are correct that it is possible to get the official US$ 30 price for visa on arrival, even at Koh Kong. However, it is way harder than at other border crossings. You need both patience, and friendly insistence. If you get stroppy with them, they can and will give you grief.

Yes patient and polite is important. Especially when dealing with millionaires like those guys in the visa office there. If they can get 1500b that is 48usd for a 30usd visa. A profit of 18usd for each farung they catch. They must be very wealthy -you would think it would make them smile more.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[ExpatOilWorker]

1 hour ago, Chrisdoc said:

Yes patient and polite is important. Especially when dealing with millionaires like those guys in the visa office there. If they can get 1500b that is 48usd for a 30usd visa. A profit of 18usd for each farung they catch. They must be very wealthy -you would think it would make them smile more.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I let the hotel do the visa, so I am sure there are plenty of hands that need a little something along the way. It is a paid service, so 1,500 baht is a fair price, apart for the fact it silly you need a visa for Cambodia, when not actually entering Cambodia, but that a different story.

[Media1]

1 minute ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

I let the hotel do the visa, so I am sure there are plenty of hands that need a little something along the way. It is a paid service, so 1,500 baht is a fair price, apart for the fact it silly you need a visa for Cambodia, when not actually entering Cambodia, but that a different story.

You did enter. You crossed onto there land

[ExpatOilWorker]

5 minutes ago, Media1 said:

You did enter. You crossed onto there land

True, by about 10 meters. 

When I transit in Dubai by Emirates, my feet are also touching UAE soil (sand), but I guess that is different.

 

Has anybody ever figured out why Thai immigration insist visa (border) runners subsidize the Cambodian government?

Is there a hidden logic somewhere?

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Has anybody ever figured out why Thai immigration insist visa (border) runners subsidize the Cambodian government?

Is there a hidden logic somewhere?

Because you would not have proof that you entered another country prior to entering Thailand again.

By air it does not matter since it would be evident you were coming in from another country.

[Chrisdoc]

I let the hotel do the visa, so I am sure there are plenty of hands that need a little something along the way. It is a paid service, so 1,500 baht is a fair price, apart for the fact it silly you need a visa for Cambodia, when not actually entering Cambodia, but that a different story.

I usually stay. Koh Kong is small but a bit of a change from Thailand and the river is quite nice. 18usd is alot of money in Cambodia.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app