Cambodia (Osmach) entry report

[moana]

Thai side:

- Stamped out.

- Got the form from the vehicle pass window.

- On to the customs window, they only agreed to issue 15 days temporary export permit, because the car is registered to my Thai wife and "she can only get 15 days visa anyway" (which is BS). Once issued they refused to listen any further and would not issue 30 days. Stuck with a 15 days permit. I read on here that "losing" your permit is a viable option and that the 1000/day fee can be avoided. Is that still true? Any recent experiences?

 

Cambodian side:

- Needed visa on arrival. There were two men in the booth, one spoke to me immediately, gave me the form, etc. After filling it out, I handed my US$30, photo, and the form. The man talking to me the whole time then said it's 1300 baht or $35. After a short argument, where I mentioned I'd be happy to show him the fee table on the Cambodian immigration website, he gave up and left the booth, and the second man took my $30 and issued the visa silently. No surprises.

- Stamped in.

- On to Cambodian customs. They now keep the car blue book, no ifs or buts. There is no way around this that I could figure out. Not even a bribe. When I contested, he opened his drawer and showed me two huge stacks of blue books. Thai people before and after me in line were ready with their blue books and handed them in. You get a receipt to pick it up when you come back. So we now must exit through Osmach :(. They claim too many people were selling their car in Cambodia. I doubt it.

[jimster]

Great report. Disappointed to hear that O'Smach now insists on keeping the blue book. I have entered there twice but never exited there. I will be making a trip there very soon, will see what happens. It won't be a big deal if they insist on keeping it as they did in your case, except that coming back through O'Smach is a long way from where I live. Having said that I will try the new border (Ban Khao Din) south of Aranyaprathet to see whether they will let me through there or not. As it's a new border it's untested as yet with no reports either in English or Thai or taking a car across there. If they do let me across but insist on keeping the blue book no problem as I intend to cross back that way anyway (I'm heading to Siem Reap from Bangkok).

 

My car is in my name now (transferred from my wife's name because the DLT didn't allow joint ownership) but all I have ever gotten at Chong Chom is 14 days but then again that's all I've ever needed, as I usually only go to Cambodia for an average of 2-7 days. However, I would try to get 30 days if needed because that's what you're supposed to get and it's automatic at Hat Lek for example.