Border crossing Chong Chom to O Smach-advice please!

[Scouse123]

 

I know this is premature and the borders are not yet open.

 

I had some terrible experiences with Poipet and swore I would never use that crossing again and I haven't since, choosing to fly instead.Is this crossing a less tedious border than Poipet?

 

I do not like the Immigration on both sides of the border at Poipet. I have heard Chong Chom is better, and it is actually preferable for me to get home and a shorter distance. I never knew before.

 

I moved some USD in my Cambodian bank last time I was there into a THB account held there at the same branch. Now I wish to change it back, but of course, the rate they are offering to buy back is dreadful as they are asking 33 baht for $1. I will lose about $15,000 on exchange rate at current rates.

 

I am wanting to bring through a substantial amount in THB through the Chong Chom border ( 7 million baht ) into Thailand. I will have receipts from my bank in my name and my bank book withdrawals as proof it has been withdrawn from my own account. All funds are traceable and legal.

 

I then want to put it in my bank in Thailand and show proof of funds and where they came from.

 

Can anybody who uses the Chong Chom border, or who has ever done anything like this please advise on any pitfalls?

 

I would not do this at Poipet due to lack of trust in them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Scouse123

[HashBrownHarry]

7MB Thai baht in cash?

 

That's a lot to travel with, many things can happen....

 

Proceed with caution.

[Scouse123]

3 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

7MB Thai baht in cash?

 

That's a lot to travel with, many things can happen....

 

Proceed with caution.

 

 

For sure, it is not my ideal method.

[Matzzon]

I can only talk about the border. That one has by my experiences never given me any problem with what visa what so ever.

Regarding the money. If you have proof that it has been withdrawn from a bank account in your name, then it should be ok. Never heard of a country that says no to people bringing in money the legal way. However, this is Thailand and everything can happen.

[Scouse123]

36 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

I can only talk about the border. That one has by my experiences never given me any problem with what visa what so ever.

Regarding the money. If you have proof that it has been withdrawn from a bank account in your name, then it should be ok. Never heard of a country that says no to people bringing in money the legal way. However, this is Thailand and everything can happen.

 

Thanks,

 

I was thinking the same as well, especially if they have a paper trail.

 

I am also going to let Krung Thai know my intentions and get their view.

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Scouse123

[Mahseer]

Is there not a limit of 500,000baht that you can bring in?

[Matzzon]

6 minutes ago, Mahseer said:

Is there not a limit of 500,000baht that you can bring in?

Yes there is a limit of 500k baht without declaring the money. He wish to declare and go by the book. In that case there is no limit as long as the origin of the money can be proven to satisfaction. As we all know, proven to satisfaction is at discretion of every single border entry and immigration office.

[Matzzon]

48 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Thanks,

 

I was thinking the same as well, especially if they have a paper trail.

 

I am also going to let Krung Thai know my intentions and get their view.

 

 

 

Actually I read that the law states you can bring up to maximum of 5 million usd per individual or juristic person. If that only regards secure transfers is to me unknown, though.

Not remember where I read it either. Sorry for that. Sure I´ve read it though.

However, carrying 7 million baht. That´s outright crazy, man! ???? 

I was thinking another thing. You have Kasikorn, KBank, Krung Thai Bank as well as Bangkok Bank offices available in Cambodia. They must be able to help you with this.

I truly believe that must be the way to go. To me you should be able to go into one of those offices and deposit your money in your thai bank account.

Edited June 23, 2020 by Matzzon

[spiekerjozef]

Did you rob a bank?

[blanes2007]

3 hours ago, Matzzon said:

If you have proof that it has been withdrawn from a bank account in your name, then it should be ok. Never heard of a country that says no to people bringing in money the legal way. However, this is Thailand and everything can happen.

Not really true. You might have a problems on Cambodian side while leaving the country and being requested by the customs the proof of origin of this money -  were they legally brought into the country (and declared) some time ago or legally earned in Cambodia (and all taxes are paid)? The bill from your Cambodian bank will be irrelevant.

 

As for Thailand's customs... just declare your funds (fill the form and then show the cash to an officer)... a formal procedure which takes 3-5 min... nobody cares

[blanes2007]

the reason of requesting foreigners to proof an origin of their money is that the Cambodian government is tightening it's "anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing" laws (Google) - under the pressure of EU, International financial institutions and China.

 

the bulk of those who were caugh trying to export or import large quantities of cash through Cambodian border were the Chinese though. They launder money in Cambodian casinos and real property business.

 

TS, are you the Chinese? Then you under the special suspition. 

 

[Matzzon]

1 hour ago, blanes2007 said:

Not really true. You might have a problems on Cambodian side while leaving the country and being requested by the customs the proof of origin of this money -  were they legally brought into the country (and declared) some time ago or legally earned in Cambodia (and all taxes are paid)? The bill from your Cambodian bank will be irrelevant.

 

As for Thailand's customs... just declare your funds (fill the form and then show the cash to an officer)... a formal procedure which takes 3-5 min... nobody cares

Sure, you are right. I just assume that the OP have everything in order as he wishes to declare the money he´s bringing in to Thailand. Because of that I assume he can, or already have been, show the origin of the money in Cambodia or paid tax on it if necessary.

If not, the right way to go would be about 14 non-expensive trips to Cambodia and bring 500k over each time.

[blanes2007]

 

 

19 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

I just assume that the OP have everything in order as he wishes to declare the money he´s bringing in to Thailand. Because of that I assume he can, or already have been, show the origin of the money in Cambodia or paid tax on it if necessary.

As I know Cambodian realities, this does not guarantee avoidance of the problems with Cambodian border officials. They could just get his documents (or even all money) out, leave him waiting for hours in their office without responce and hinting at some $$$% of that cash.

 

If I were him I would go by Giant Ibis bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. That bus is the most expensive (usd 15 + 5 "visa service" vs normal 10-12...) but well known by it's simplified approach to border formalities on Scambodia's side. The passengers just give their passports to sexy bus attendant, wait 15-20 min in the cafe and then walk to Vietnam to their bus where they are given the passports back. At this point I would remember that I have a bulk of money that I should declare in Vietnam as I'am transiting it to Thailand... the next day... from Ho Chi Minh to Bkk by air...

[Matzzon]

11 minutes ago, blanes2007 said:

 

 

As I know Cambodian realities, this does not guarantee avoidance of the problems with Cambodian border officials. They could just get his documents (or even all money) out, leave him waiting for hours in their office without responce and hinting at some $$$% of that cash.

 

If I were him I would go by Giant Ibis bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh. That bus is the most expensive (usd 15 + 5 "visa service" vs normal 10-12...) but well known by it's simplified approach to border formalities on Scambodia's side. The passengers just give their passports to sexy bus attendant, wait 15-20 min in the cafe and then walk to Vietnam to their bus where they are given the passports back. At this point I would remember that I have a bulk of money that I should declare in Vietnam as I'am transiting it to Thailand... the next day... from Ho Chi Minh to Bkk by air...

And in thta case you can read my advice regarding Thai bank branches in Cambodia. I have covered all the possibilities already.

[Dumbastheycome]

So what is the question?  That border crossing is  not yet open to anyones knowledge. Only the  Market on the Thai side .

[Scouse123]

6 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Actually I read that the law states you can bring up to maximum of 5 million usd per individual or juristic person. If that only regards secure transfers is to me unknown, though.

Not remember where I read it either. Sorry for that. Sure I´ve read it though.

However, carrying 7 million baht. That´s outright crazy, man! ???? 

I was thinking another thing. You have Kasikorn, KBank, Krung Thai Bank as well as Bangkok Bank offices available in Cambodia. They must be able to help you with this.

I truly believe that must be the way to go. To me you should be able to go into one of those offices and deposit your money in your thai bank account.

That is a good idea which i will check out thoroughly. I never thought of that and surely one would think that would be an option  

 

The CANADIA bank allow me to keep a THB account and I can withdraw THB. However, to send abroad it must be converted back to USD. It is a regional bank, one of the biggest 2, but not an international bank.

 

If they had told me this in the first place, i would not have put it in a THB account in March.

 

To answer other posters, the money was transferred in legally bank to bank. It was not earned in Cambodia. So no taxes due.

 

Taxes on interest are deducted at source in the bank. So nothing due there either.

 

That is two reasons i now have to visit Krung Thai tomorrow. I feel sure there must be a sensible way to transfer the money via a Thai bank in Siem Reap back to Thailand.

Edited June 23, 2020 by Scouse123

[drbeach]

3 hours ago, blanes2007 said:

Not really true. You might have a problems on Cambodian side while leaving the country and being requested by the customs the proof of origin of this money -  were they legally brought into the country (and declared) some time ago or legally earned in Cambodia (and all taxes are paid)? The bill from your Cambodian bank will be irrelevant.

 

As for Thailand's customs... just declare your funds (fill the form and then show the cash to an officer)... a formal procedure which takes 3-5 min... nobody cares

They won't check. It's Cambodia. Officials are lazy and unmotivated. Besides, there's no checkpoint at that border. I have traveled into and out of Cambodia dozens of times, mostly in my own car in recent years. Not once has a Cambodian border guard ever inspected my vehicle, or any other vehicle in front of me, whether Thai or Cambodian registered. The Thai side might make a cursory glance inside a vehicle, but it's quick. They're not going to open your glove box, look underneath your seat or disassemble your spare tire. That's what the American border guards do, but that doesn't happen in this part of the world. Same thing with police chases - in America they use helicopters, here you're lucky a police vehicle chases you if you do a runner (not saying that's a good idea!) But you get the drift.

 

The risk of having the cash discovered is actually very minimal (far greater chance at the airport). That being said, there is always a risk, however small. I feel the risk of robbery is much greater though. I have experience carrying large sums of cash across regional borders, but "only" like 300,000 Baht, not millions like the OP.

 

The OP doesn't say what kind of vehicle he intends to use to cross the border. If changing vehicles at the border, it's just a little riskier, because it would involve having to get out to the vehicle, walk across the border and change to another one. That's where things could go wrong...but if the cash is hidden inside a suitcase no one would know.

 

Still, I can imagine it should be straightforward to wire the funds from Cambodia to Thailand, which brings peace of mind. Unless Cambodian banks make life difficult for foreigners or want to see a work permit or raise some other obstacle. In which case, a local's name should be used for the transfer, or Western Union might work. Anyway, when there is a will, there is a way.

[yuyiinthesky]

6 hours ago, Matzzon said:

I was thinking another thing. You have Kasikorn, KBank, Krung Thai Bank as well as Bangkok Bank offices available in Cambodia. They must be able to help you with this.

I truly believe that must be the way to go. To me you should be able to go into one of those offices and deposit your money in your thai bank account.

Some time ago, in the good old days long before Corona, I went to 2 branches of these Thai banks in Cambodia with my Thai bank books. They said they cannot use them, not at all, they would be on the Cambodian system, unable to access Thai accounts, despite being the same bank.

Nevertheless there might be a way they can accept Thai baht and transfer as Thai baht without converting to USD first. Possibly you need to open a THB account there. I would go there and ask.

If you travel with the cash anyway, avoid Poi Pet. I would not be surprised if you had an accident there, if someone sees you have that much cash with you. 

O'Smach or Koh Kong are safer, smaller, less vultures, more friendly. 
See you there, when they open again.

[zzzzz]

9 hours ago, drbeach said:

They won't check. It's Cambodia. Officials are lazy and unmotivated. Besides, there's no checkpoint at that border. I have traveled into and out of Cambodia dozens of times, mostly in my own car in recent years. Not once has a Cambodian border guard ever inspected my vehicle, or any other vehicle in front of me, whether Thai or Cambodian registered. The Thai side might make a cursory glance inside a vehicle, but it's quick. They're not going to open your glove box, look underneath your seat or disassemble your spare tire. That's what the American border guards do, but that doesn't happen in this part of the world. Same thing with police chases - in America they use helicopters, here you're lucky a police vehicle chases you if you do a runner (not saying that's a good idea!) But you get the drift.

 

The risk of having the cash discovered is actually very minimal (far greater chance at the airport). That being said, there is always a risk, however small. I feel the risk of robbery is much greater though. I have experience carrying large sums of cash across regional borders, but "only" like 300,000 Baht, not millions like the OP.

 

The OP doesn't say what kind of vehicle he intends to use to cross the border. If changing vehicles at the border, it's just a little riskier, because it would involve having to get out to the vehicle, walk across the border and change to another one. That's where things could go wrong...but if the cash is hidden inside a suitcase no one would know.

 

Still, I can imagine it should be straightforward to wire the funds from Cambodia to Thailand, which brings peace of mind. Unless Cambodian banks make life difficult for foreigners or want to see a work permit or raise some other obstacle. In which case, a local's name should be used for the transfer, or Western Union might work. Anyway, when there is a will, there is a way.

As have i, since 2006 been driving in and out and never once, on either side, was my car looked at or into> That goes for all the thai/Cambodian crossings. My usual routes are enter as Osmach, exit at Koh Kong
BUT i would not be willing to take the chance that this is the time they want check>

Make sure you have all docs showing the money into the Cambodian bank, out of the Cambodian bank and your going to be at the thai customs awhile as they try and figure out how they can get part of your cash  

 

Point is moot for now, as the border is closed to everyone but returning migrants.

Edited June 24, 2020 by zzzzz

[Scouse123]

Guys,

 

This was received from Krung Thai bank in Siem Reap this morning.

 

So they are saying Yes, they can do it, buy no they can't as they have yoo much Thai baht in their bank. However, this Krung Thai bank is a small sub branch!

 

Maybe a larger branch of a different Thai bank in Siem Reap can do it, such as SCB?

 

 

 

Thank you for your email, We would like to inform you that KTB Siem Reap can transfer money to Thailand with Thai baht currency. But now our cash Thai Baht in hand is nearly full limit that can be kept in the bank, and The National Bank of Cambodia does not accept deposit in Thai baht currency . That's why we can not accept thai baht currency. BTW if you can change back to USD and transfer we can offer a special exchange rate to you.

 

Thank you.

 

Best Regards,

 

 

 

[Scouse123]

11 hours ago, drbeach said:

 

 

The OP doesn't say what kind of vehicle he intends to use to cross the border. If changing vehicles at the border, it's just a little riskier, because it would involve having to get out to the vehicle, walk across the border and change to another one. That's where things could go wrong...but if the cash is hidden inside a suitcase no one would know.

 

Still, I can imagine it should be straightforward to wire the funds from Cambodia to Thailand, which brings peace of mind. Unless Cambodian banks make life difficult for foreigners or want to see a work permit or raise some other obstacle. In which case, a local's name should be used for the transfer, or Western Union might work. Anyway, when there is a will, there is a way.

If needs must I was going to do the suitcase method.

 

A private taxi as in a  4 x 4 from Siem Reap to Chong Chom then cross border and into my own car which I would leave parked on the Thai side of the border in the car park for a couple of days.

 

The reason I was looking at this method was because I changed from USD into a THB account. They DID NOT TELL ME that I could not send the money out in THB and it would have to be changed back to USD.

 

If I do it that way, I lose about $12-15,000 USD changing it back from THB to USD with the damn bank.

 

That is why I don't want to wire it over.

Edited June 24, 2020 by Scouse123

[drbeach]

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

If needs must I was going to do the suitcase method.

 

A private taxi as in a  4 x 4 from Siem Reap to Chong Chom then cross border and into my own car which I would leave parked on the Thai side of the border in the car park for a couple of days.

 

The reason I was looking at this method was because I changed from USD into a THB account. They DID NOT TELL ME that I could not send the money out in THB and it would have to be changed back to USD.

 

If I do it that way, I lose about $12-15,000 USD changing it back from THB to USD with the damn bank.

 

That is why I don't want to wire it over.

Ouch! I guess you made a bit of an error in judgement there. Well, look I think you should be OK although if I were you, I would do it like this:

 

1) best method is to make your way to Thailand without the cash, pick up your car and drive it to Siem Reap. Put the money in your suitcase and then drive back across the border. With that much money at stake, you don't want to take any chances and the cost of getting yourself to the border to pick up your car is minimal for the peace of mind it brings.

 

2) a second option that will involve less wasted time, but would still be a little riskier is, hire a Cambodia guy to drive you to the Thai side of the border. Cambodian vehicles can usually cross into Thailand, so that shouldn't be an issue. Offer to pay the small extra charges like the 200 Baht temporary import paper fee. Then you move your suitcase from his car to your car directly.

 

[drbeach]

5 hours ago, zzzzz said:

As have i, since 2006 been driving in and out and never once, on either side, was my car looked at or into> That goes for all the thai/Cambodian crossings. My usual routes are enter as Osmach, exit at Koh Kong
BUT i would not be willing to take the chance that this is the time they want check>

Make sure you have all docs showing the money into the Cambodian bank, out of the Cambodian bank and your going to be at the thai customs awhile as they try and figure out how they can get part of your cash  

 

Point is moot for now, as the border is closed to everyone but returning migrants.

Yeah as I said, there's always that small risk and corona is definitely a game changer in terms of justifying changes to the way things are done. That being said, I highly doubt customs officials are going to suddenly start checking vehicles crossing the border once they re-open. It doesn't fit the agenda and no extra funds have been devoted to upgrading facilities or providing the extra resources necessary to carry this out. It also has nothing to do with a virus. In fact, if anything it would expose officials to the possibility of contracting something, because they would be touching all sorts of things.

 

Much more likely is that they will devote more attention to the health of passengers and let vehicles freely cross as normal. Or they might re-introduce that annoying disinfectant spray when you drive across the borderline and charge you for it (that's what they've been doing for years in Laos).

 

I've crossed nearly all Thai-Cambodian borders; by car entering via O'Smach and also Koh Kong, and leaving via Koh Kong, Poipet and Prom (Ban Pakkard). Never left through O'Smach, but looking across to the other side of the road, there's no gate, you can freely exit to the Thai side. I've also driven across most Thai-Lao crossings, Mae Sot-Myawaddy (been across the other 3, but not in my own vehicle) and some of the Thai-Malay crossings too. In short, none of them do a very thorough inspection, if at all. In my experience, the Lao side is more likely to conduct an inspection than the Thai side. Malay crossings, as easy going as the Thai side. Nothing ever happens on the Myanmar side.

 

For Thai crossings, the most obvious one is Phu Nam Ron, where soldiers may or may not do a quick inspection, particularly outgoing, but never to the point of opening a suitcase unless they suspect drugs, which is unlikely unless you look like a drug trafficker.

 

Anyway, if I were the OP I never would have come up with the idea of trying to move 7 million Baht in cash across a border, but now he seems to be stuck with it, unless he's willing to lose several thousands of dollars to change the money back and transfer it electronically.

 

[drbeach]

3 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

If needs must I was going to do the suitcase method.

 

A private taxi as in a  4 x 4 from Siem Reap to Chong Chom then cross border and into my own car which I would leave parked on the Thai side of the border in the car park for a couple of days.

 

The reason I was looking at this method was because I changed from USD into a THB account. They DID NOT TELL ME that I could not send the money out in THB and it would have to be changed back to USD.

 

If I do it that way, I lose about $12-15,000 USD changing it back from THB to USD with the damn bank.

 

That is why I don't want to wire it over.

One more piece of advice: once the borders re-open and you're able to make the trip, don't make a post here telling us when you'll be traveling, otherwise your money may grow legs!

 

By all means make a post after you've successfully crossed the border though. Would be interested in reading it.

 

Sounds like you live in Thailand but are currently stuck in Cambodia. Good luck to you.

[kuma]

On 6/23/2020 at 4:03 PM, Scouse123 said:

 

Thanks,

 

I was thinking the same as well, especially if they have a paper trail.

 

I am also going to let Krung Thai know my intentions and get their view.

 

 

 

If the cash has the pedigree you say, then just do a wire and save all the potential nightmares that can occur trying to cross borders w that amount of cash. On another note, stating your intention and intended crossing point here is already high risk, unless its all a diversion....

Cheers

OK now reading thread I see the complexity with the FX - that is a problem.

Of course you would be at risk from anyone at the bank where you w/d the cash making a call to someone...or anyone else that knows of this plan, so you may be best to hang on a while, wait for better fx - find someone that wants to buy a condo etc in Cambo and look to use the funds there and get THB here, hmmm that could be problematic too but very high risk crossing imo

Edited June 24, 2020 by kuma

[Bigz]

Did I understand correctly? Or did I miss something? You have 7 million baht and to save 15k you are willing to carry all that cash through a border crossing manned by some of the most corrupt officials in the world on both sides and with vultures everywhere trying to get a few crumbs. O'smack crossing  is not too bad (used it quite a few times) but I would never risk the trip anywhere with that amount of cash especially for a tiny 15k saving.

[Scouse123]

22 minutes ago, Bigz said:

Did I understand correctly? Or did I miss something? You have 7 million baht and to save 15k you are willing to carry all that cash through a border crossing manned by some of the most corrupt officials in the world on both sides and with vultures everywhere trying to get a few crumbs. O'smack crossing  is not too bad (used it quite a few times) but I would never risk the trip anywhere with that amount of cash especially for a tiny 15k saving.

 

$15,000 USD not THB

[Bigz]

Oh, ok. Sorry I missed that. That's a different story. Op good luck with the trip.

2 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

$15,000 USD not THB

 

[Scouse123]

Hi,

 

After further research I have had some better news from Siem Reap.

 

Because of the lousy rate the bank is offering to change back from THB to USD, they will give me THB.

 

I can then make an arrangement with the money changing companies outside in the city, ( there are some quite big ones run by Chinese/Cambodians ) then put back in my USD account with the bank, obviously at a far better rate, and send to UK as originally intended for property purchase.

 

The bank say they will accept this option.

[Scouse123]

On 6/25/2020 at 2:45 AM, kuma said:

If the cash has the pedigree you say, then just do a wire and save all the potential nightmares that can occur trying to cross borders w that amount of cash. On another note, stating your intention and intended crossing point here is already high risk, unless its all a diversion....

Cheers

OK now reading thread I see the complexity with the FX - that is a problem.

Of course you would be at risk from anyone at the bank where you w/d the cash making a call to someone...or anyone else that knows of this plan, so you may be best to hang on a while, wait for better fx - find someone that wants to buy a condo etc in Cambo and look to use the funds there and get THB here, hmmm that could be problematic too but very high risk crossing imo

 

I have found a solution now hopefully, if you see my last post. I think this will be the best and safest option without land borders to worry about.

 

However, on another note, your idea would not have worked regards condo purchase in Cambodia as I am holding Thai baht and to purchase a condo in Cambodia, they would want USD. So, I would still have had the exchange problem.