Border crossing into cambodia

[califdann]

Thinking about taking the Southern Route into Cambodia after 1st stopping off in Pattaya.  Anyone got any experience in the route, costs, pitfalls?  I have done the Poi Pet crossing a couple of times, and can share info on that area going into Siem Reap.  This time, I what to go south.  Anything???

[Rinrada]

Some of the latest info....up to you..Chok dee na krup

Hope it helps...

Hat Lek, Thailand / Koh Kong, Cambodia  

Visas available on arrival at the border in both directions

Border Hours: 7:00AM - 5:00PM.

Visas: Both Cambodian and Thai visas are available at the border. Cambodian visas cost 1000 baht, for a 30 day tourist visa. Dollars and riel are not accepted. Be prepared for some minor scams.

NEWS!! Road travel from Koh Kong to Route #4 and Sihanoukville is now possible. See below for more information.

Bangkok to Had Lek / Koh Kong border crossing:

Some operators on Khao San Rd. are offering direct to the border vans. Some vans leave Khao San at 1AM so that they arrive in Had Lek at 6AM, just before the border opens and two hours before the ferry to Sihanoukville leaves at 8:00AM.

1. Bus from Bangkok to Trat (~170 baht)

2. Van from Trat to the Thai border town of Had Lek (100 baht). Departs every 30 minutes.

3. Buy your visa and walk into Cambodia.

4. Until recently, you would take a short taxi ride to the river (40B). But a new bridge over the river has just been opened. In theory, this mean the boat ride is no longer necessary. Take a motodup.

Koh Kong to/from Sihanoukville by road:

For years there was no road connection from Koh Kong to interior Cambodia. Road #48, the new road from Koh Kong to Route #4 and Sihanoukville, is now passable, though not quite complete. Taxis now ply the road in both directions. The only hold up is six bridges that have not been completed, where cars and motorcycles are ferried across small rivers. The trip takes about 5½ - 7 hours, depending on the ferries. Faster on a motorcycle. Guesthouses and restaurants in Sihanoukville are just beginning to offer regular taxis and vans to Koh Kong. Contact Fisherman’s Den in town, and Mealy Chenda Guesthouse on Weather Station Hill for regular taxi to Koh Kong.

Koh Kong to/from Sihanoukville by ferry:

From Koh Kong: There is a speedboat from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville departs at 8:00am every morning (3 1/2 - 4 hours, US$15 for foreigners, 40,000 riel for Cambodians).

To Koh Kong: The speedboat from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong departs at 12:00noon everyday. The ferry dock is near the Port of Sihanoukville, just off Hun Sen Beach Dr. about 700m from Phe Rd. Tell your motodup driver ‘Koh Kong’.

When ferrying from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong, the boat makes three stops. Get off at the second stop (Rak Long). The ferry arrives in Koh Kong at 4:00PM and the border closes at 5PM so do not dawdle.

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[califdann]

Thank You very much.  I will give a field report upon my return.