Cambodia Visa Run Scam

[arcyboy]

Hi

My first post here, but having read other posts which proved to be helpful i thought i would help others too.

I have just been to the overland Thai/Cambodian border Aranyaprathet/Poi Pet to renew my visa.

I have a Thai non-immigrant visa (multiple entry 90 days) and wanted to do the visa run so I can stay a further 2 months.

I read somewhere that Cambodia is the place to do a visa run cheap and easy. As you can gather its my first time for a visa run. I went to border with some Thai friends who wanted to do some shopping and visit the casinos.

Althouigh they have now stoped the visa on arrival at border passport control its still very easy to get a Cambodian visa. The Cambodian Consulate in Aranyaprathet is only 2 mins down the road away from the border (sign-posted on the right hand side as you approach the border Thai side). Its a small place and can easily be mistaken for a private house but does have a big sign on the outside

Because this was my first time here we parked up nearer the border and some guy pounced on me claiming to be able to get me a Cambodian visa for 1500 baht, but as I read before that it only costs 1000 baht i knew not to take his offer.

Unfortunatly he had other plans for me later. He followed us to the consulate. I got the visa without a problem paying the 1000 baht and filling in the visa application form and giving one passport photo over (took about 5 mins)

We again parked up and started walking to the passport control thai side and he followed me.

Once through this with no problem I was stopped by a policeman. He asked if i was doing a visa run and said that i needed to pay 400 baht to get my passport stamped in/out Cambodian side of the border. sounded dodgy but he was a cop so i paid. He took me to the Cambodian passport control 200 yards down the road and went into the both and got my passport stamped and then went accross the road and got my exit stamp from Cambodia.

My Thai freinds said that they had seen the original guy (visa for 1500 baht) follow me through the border and point me out to the policeman (probably saying something like 'here is another stupid ferang who has never done a visa run before).

Not much I could have done because my Thai friends said if i would have refused to pay then they could have caused trouble for me (not worth it for 400 baht).

The best way to stop this kind of scam if you travel on your own is to attatch yourself to a group of ferangs as you leave the Thai passport control.

I will know for next time but still is annoying

Arcyboy

Edited April 5, 2007 by arcyboy

[kriswillems]

They also scammed me that way. If you want to get a cambodian exit stamp they ask between 200 to 500 baht. If you don't give it, they just don't give you the exit stamp (I tried to refuse, they just laughed at me). I asked for a receipt. They wouldn't give it.

I complained at the cambodian embassy in BKK about it, also wrote letter, it all didn't help.

Corruption is widely accepted in South-East Asia as being normal and there's nothing you can do about it. We've to learn to live with it. Write a letter, file a complaint, maybe some day there will be one honest politician that actually cares. Until then don't get upset about it.

[colino]

hi thats why i just go with one of the many companys from bangkok 2000baht includes everything its only every 90 days and get to watch some good movies foods crap though and the cigs are cheap

[junkofdavid2]

thanks for the info, interesting to note and a lot of help.

incidentally, how did you refuse the "pouncing" guy when he offered his "services"?

was it in a "frank" way which may have caused him to "lose face"?

let us know...

cheers.

[jasreeve17]

They also scammed me that way. If you want to get a cambodian exit stamp they ask between 200 to 500 baht. If you don't give it, they just don't give you the exit stamp (I tried to refuse, they just laughed at me). I asked for a receipt. They wouldn't give it.

I complained at the cambodian embassy in BKK about it, also wrote letter, it all didn't help.

Corruption is widely accepted in South-East Asia as being normal and there's nothing you can do about it. We've to learn to live with it. Write a letter, file a complaint, maybe some day there will be one honest politician that actually cares. Until then don't get upset about it.

Corruption. Cheating. etc are not norms. Don't accept it!

I did a couple of those runs a long time ago.

I got the phone number of a senior official in the capital from a website (the koh kong website, if I remember correctly) and when I was asked for extra money, I said no. They picked up a large pair of scissors and said they'd cut my passport up, and smiled. I smiled too. I looked at their id number on their uniform, wrote it down, very slowly and obviously, then I picked up my mobile phone and started to dial the number (showing them the piece of paper with the name on.)

- I didn't actually have a signal, but...

They stamped my passport and I was on my way.

I hate corruption, and anybody abusing a position of power (hence I regularly argue with the mods [they don't abuse their power often, I just go "Winston" too easily!]...), so I won't accept that <deleted> ever. Full stop.

However, you'd probably be better to pay the money and forget about it.

(400??? It used to be a 100 baht scam...)

Accept it and move on.

Or.

Fight the bastardos's (trying to stay alive in the process), then get older, loose your energy, become apathetic as you get closer to death, and then accept it. I'm just about young (and stupid, and naive) enough to fight the mudder farkers. - The country is in a <deleted> state, they are in a position of authority and priviledge, thus they should be helping their fellow countrymen, not helping themselves!

(No it's not human nature. I'd rather give up a little, and help others. I do regularly. These bastardos's should too.)

Rant over.

(6 Chang tonight already. )

[kriswillems]

I got the phone number of a senior official in the capital from a website (the koh kong website, if I remember correctly) and when I was asked for extra money, I said no.

I also had a phone number of an important cambodian official with me. I downloaded the namecard from the internet, probably we both had the same namecard. I said I would call this person, the border officer called his collegues and they came all together to stand in front of the window and they laughed at me. They were totally not impressed. I still didn't want to pay and I was at the point where I wanted to copy their names. The father of my wife (a Thai person) got scared and he paid the 500 Baht for me! I really didn't appreciate that.

As you said, now I am older (34) and now I accept corruption in Thailand and Cambodia. I always complain, write a letter, or whatever, but I just pay. It's not worth the trouble.

[jasreeve17]

I got the phone number of a senior official in the capital from a website (the koh kong website, if I remember correctly) and when I was asked for extra money, I said no.

I also had a phone number of an important cambodian official with me. I downloaded the namecard from the internet, probably we both had the same namecard. I said I would call this person, the border officer called his collegues and they came all together to stand in front of the window and they laughed at me. They were totally not impressed. I still didn't want to pay and I was at the point where I wanted to copy their names. The father of my wife (a Thai person) got scared and he paid the 500 Baht for me! I really didn't appreciate that.

As you said, now I am older (34) and now I accept corruption in Thailand and Cambodia. I always complain, write a letter, or whatever, but I just pay. It's not worth the trouble.

I can well imagine your situation. It's not easy, and often easier (better?) to just pay up. If a few tourists have been taken out the back and shot dead over the past few years, in the same situation, I wouldn't be surprised. - "Missing in SE Asia, John, 31, last seen in Angkor..."

They are empowered and it's nerve racking when they twiddle with their guns, over a few hundred baht...

I hate them, and their ilk.

[aussiestyle1983]

I never pay them when I go alone. If one or afew cops give me trouble, I always have a pen and paper with me and I write down their names and say "I will pay you the money if you show me the law that say I have to pay for entering and exiting the same day" I also say "I will report you to a higher ranking oficial in Bangkok" Usually they smile, laugh, say something rude in Thai and let me go, occasionally they give me a death stare, which I reply to with a big cheesy grin. Honeslty, they wont shoot you and as long as you aren't breaking the law, you will be fine. If you pay and encourage these scum, they will continue to rip of more farangs, especially the gulliable ones who pay. So yeah, dont pay them, stop the corruption and then less foreigners will be treated in the way that you were treated. As for that scum who pointed you out, nothing you can do about people like him, but by not paying the cops, im sure he will not have to many cop friends left................

Edited April 5, 2007 by aussiestyle1983

[jing jing]

The alternative is to negotiate -- if they ask for 400 say you only have 200. In my experience they're happy with that. Sure you're still being ripped off, you know it, and that's a lousy feeling but at least it lessens the blow somewhat.

[qualtrough]

Many years ago I used the 'take names' approach when a pair of Thai immigration officials at the Malaysian border tried to scam me out of some money for a tax statement that was not required at that time. When I refused to pay they told me tough titties, I could go back to Bangkok. I then took out a pen, looked at their badges, and started to write their names down in Thai. They exchanged nervous glances, asked to see my passport again, and found that they had indeed made a mistake. That was very a very special moment for me, one that I have cherished through the years.. .

[astral]

Althouigh they have now stoped the visa on arrival at border passport control its still very easy to get a Cambodian visa. The Cambodian Consulate in Aranyaprathet is only 2 mins down the road away from the border (sign-posted on the right hand side as you approach the border Thai side).

Does this rule apply to all Crossings into Cambodia, or just Aran/Poipet?

[Pattayatony]

Althouigh they have now stoped the visa on arrival at border passport control its still very easy to get a Cambodian visa. The Cambodian Consulate in Aranyaprathet is only 2 mins down the road away from the border (sign-posted on the right hand side as you approach the border Thai side).

Does this rule apply to all Crossings into Cambodia, or just Aran/Poipet?

Scams running at the Hatlek crossing also, charging Thais 100Baht to cross over and the Thais charging the Khmers 300Baht to cross into Thailand. For a Visa to Cambodia at the border they are charging between 1,000B and 1500B instead of $20.00 & $25.00. The powers to be in Phnom Penh are not interested in receiving complaints.

Cheers Tony

[aussiestyle1983]

Althouigh they have now stoped the visa on arrival at border passport control its still very easy to get a Cambodian visa. The Cambodian Consulate in Aranyaprathet is only 2 mins down the road away from the border (sign-posted on the right hand side as you approach the border Thai side).

Does this rule apply to all Crossings into Cambodia, or just Aran/Poipet?

Scams running at the Hatlek crossing also, charging Thais 100Baht to cross over and the Thais charging the Khmers 300Baht to cross into Thailand. For a Visa to Cambodia at the border they are charging between 1,000B and 1500B instead of $20.00 & $25.00. The powers to be in Phnom Penh are not interested in receiving complaints.

Cheers Tony

The powers might not be interetsed in complaints, however, the officers still don't want their names noted down and they especially don't want to be threatened with a complaint (some of them don't care, they are the real ass holes, but once you start taking notes, and pics if you have a cell phone, most of the time you will be told to just go through)

[Thaddeus]

Althouigh they have now stoped the visa on arrival at border passport control its still very easy to get a Cambodian visa. The Cambodian Consulate in Aranyaprathet is only 2 mins down the road away from the border (sign-posted on the right hand side as you approach the border Thai side).

Does this rule apply to all Crossings into Cambodia, or just Aran/Poipet?

Situation at Chong Chom, just south of Kap Choeng.

Visa for Cambodia 1,100 Baht (add extra 100 B if you don't have a photo) Exit fee from Cambodia is 300 Baht if you stay for less than three days, stay for more then it is free. If you have ever been there you will know why nobody stays overnight.

[Thaddeus]

[The powers might not be interetsed in complaints, however, the officers still don't want their names noted down and they especially don't want to be threatened with a complaint (some of them don't care, they are the real ass holes, but once you start taking notes, and pics if you have a cell phone, most of the time you will be told to just go through)

Be very very careful, they just may make a note of your name and Passport number and your next trip through may be a bumpy ride

A few hundred Baht is quite cheap for a licence to carry on breathing ...... it's very wrong, but you are a westerner passing between Thailand and Cambodia and back again, at no time do you have the upper hand.

[kevc]

I used to go to Poi Pet myself as I live an hour and a half from the border, they tried to scam me once before for 300 baht I just smile and said no thank you I wasn't in a hurry to get back to my wife who was shopping in the market, took my passport out of his hand and walked away, but as colino said if you are in the position to use a visa run bus do it. I'm now in Bangkok and quite enjoy the hassle free day out they take your passport while you have a free lunch (and it's not that bad) and all you have to do is get it stamped in and out yourself hassle free with no mention of extra money, costs me less than when I used to do it myself especially as the wife doesn't tag along. Worst one I had though was a Cambodian officer in a smart new uniform asking " have you got 20 baht for me".

[sulasno]

Apply for evisa when crossing over to Poipet

Get an entry stamp when there are few people in the queue

get the exit stamp late in the afternoon

if you don't stay overnight, give the guy 100 Baht. if you do, don't pay. it's bad for other travellers

[arcyboy]

thanks for the info, interesting to note and a lot of help.

incidentally, how did you refuse the "pouncing" guy when he offered his "services"?

was it in a "frank" way which may have caused him to "lose face"?

let us know...

cheers.

Hi glad to help.

I wasnt rude or anything to him just said no thankyou.

I managed not to pay him because i already new that it should only cost 1000 baht. and my Thai friends were there to back me up. At the start I was going to accept his offer but again my Thai friends said not to as well. I think he maybe get a cut from the police man and maybe also even if i take his offer he would have done the same thing with the cop.

Also note that he was the only cop around and not possitioned in the Cambodian stamp offices, just on the street.

I also tryed the 'I have not heard of this fee and want a receipt' thing but he said no. I was also thining of going back to the Thai passort control and asking the head guy there but again possibility of him giving me trouble so not bothered.

Like many people have said better to just accept it even if you dont like it as they could try something nasty like planting drugs in your baggage and informing the thai passport control on your way back into Thailand.

Arcyboy

[deejah]

(please pardon spelling and grammar)

i have done many of these trips and almost every time there is some bullshit to deal with

the worst was when i gave ONLY the required 20 dollars and they refused my visa due to not enough pages in passport (total BS) i read about another person in the same boat on this forum

these guys are MEAN unless you give them the 1000 baht and smile (geting cambodian visa at poi pet border) even giving 900 baht did not bode me well

i have learned for me its better to pay the little extra with out the hassles (of waiting while they eat their lunch) but i have not paid any one else to enter or leave cambodia (for many runs)

my latest technique is look to see if people are sitting waiting for their visas and ask what they paid

if they all pretty much paid the 20 bucks and not 1000 baht then i just pay 20 (there is a currency exchange booth right next to the visa location) and wait with them

if you have any questions about visa runs to poi pet i know it pretty well

the visa runner companies from khaosan road are notoriuosly schumks and care not at all for the poor uniformed backpackers

yes it can often pay to use some other companies for 2000 baht, i used one company many times leaving very early near asoke and getting back to bkk by 1 pm or so (super fast and comforatble) for 2200 baht but i have not seen their add in the newspapar for a long time and found the trip to penang for a TV well worth it

i need to go back to penagn the end of the month and hope there is no back to back visa problems as i will not risk the hassle of refusal at poi pet entry, too much time and trouble

any input most desired

[jinjok]

i used to run to aran/poipet. always have exactly us 20. but i stopped a year ago as the traffic was bad and bus so slow. one time 6 hrs from pattaya!

ive never been asked to pay xtra b100 as i have heard

never asked to pay for exit stamps

the big scam at this border is getting unwitting farang to fork b1000 instead of us20. also extra cash for not having pp photo although your app is tossed in the trash and they have numerous video cameras.

penang - its all straight forward but the run is 3 nights and b5000.

i have a secret weapon and can speak a bit of khmer... my scam seems to have worked thus far although when i x'd at the pailin border it was close and the guys were expecting a bit of a spiff even if they did not outright scam me.

NOTE: in their defense (which i am loathe to do). they guys must pay for their jobs often pay monthly. at the bottom, they are not making much. THATS how corrupt cambodia is. i left it for just that reason. i just blew my stack one day over the laziness and corruption and the lack of addressing poverty.

Edited April 8, 2007 by jinjok

[brahmburgers]

Shame! shame! shame! on the director of Thai Immigration for allowing such a bunch of dregs take over that border crossing. He should clear out every last imm worker at Poipet, including the street scammers, and install all new people - with the stipulation: "stick by the rules or you're out on your buns!" ....no 'transfer to an inactive post' for the rip-off artists - simply boot 'em out the back door.

[lopburi3]

Shame! shame! shame! on the director of Thai Immigration for allowing such a bunch of dregs take over that border crossing. He should clear out every last imm worker at Poipet, including the street scammers, and install all new people - with the stipulation: "stick by the rules or you're out on your buns!" ....no 'transfer to an inactive post' for the rip-off artists - simply boot 'em out the back door.

Thai Immigration has control over the Cambodian side of the border?

[torrenova]

Visa is $20, no other figure is valid. They will tear your $20 note (have another one) as they try to get Bt1000.

I'm sorry but I do not understand how you guys are "ripped off". Do you pay me more for beer in my bars than I ask you to ? Same same.

[Maigo6]

Last month I was there, I paid 20 USD and slipped 100 Baht in the Passport too, that was it, no extras after the 100.

In and out in no time.

Edited April 9, 2007 by Maigo6