The boot's on the other foot for Thai tourists - Cambodians want 7,000 baht for an ATK test

[webfact]

Picture: 77kaoded

 

After the best part of a year charging foreign tourists for Covid tests the boot is now on the other foot for Thai tourists.

 

Authorities in Cambodia are charging 7,000 baht for an ATK test that can be bought in Thailand at a 7-Eleven for a fraction of that.

 

77kaoded were at the Klong Luk border crossing in Aranyaprathet - gateway to Poi Pet.

 

It was the first day of the reopening of Thailand, May 1st.

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

About 30 Cambodians were coming across an hour.

 

But few Thais were bothering to go to Cambodia because there were so many restrictions on coming back!

 

They would have to get a Thailand Pass and that would take 2-3 days so day tripping was out.

 

Those few souls crossing were going to see relatives or going for work. A few tourists were going but they would be staying a while.

 

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Then the media spoke to one person who was coming back after an aborted trip to the Cambodian side.

 

They had been told that because they had had only one jab they would have to take an ATK test.

 

And the Cambodians wanted $200 dollars or around 7,000 baht for that.

 

They didn't have the cash.

 

They asked if they could get the test from a Thai convenience store for 50-100 baht.

 

They were told that was not possible - they had to pay or go back to Thailand. 

 

They went back. 

 

Thirty one border crossings in 17 provinces were finally reopened yesterday after being shut for 2 years because of the pandemic. 

 

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[mahtin]

Something fishy there.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, mahtin said:

Something fishy there.

Quite, the whole article stinks. The author is implying only Thais have to pay this inflated price. What about other nationalities, do they not have to take the test?

[stat]

5 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Quite, the whole article stinks. The author is implying only Thais have to pay this inflated price. What about other nationalities, do they not have to take the test?

Prople from other nations are usually fully vacinated with 2 shots, otherwise unlikely they entered TH.

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, sandyf said:

1 hour ago, mahtin said:

Something fishy there.

Quite, the whole article stinks. The author is implying only Thais have to pay this inflated price. What about other nationalities, do they not have to take the test?

I read it a different way....  

 

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated is being ripped off... 

 

This is just local immigration guys in a highly corrupt country trying to profit. 

Land boarders do not attract the same spotlight as airports - thus corruption is carried out in a more brazen manner. 

 

 

 

 

[stat]

I like Thailand and the Thai people. However "good" so see them learn how it feels being ripped off as falangs in other countries for a change.

[jacko45k]

Sounds like a smuggling opportunity!

[thecyclist]

It's just another scam by the extremely corrupt Cambodian land border immigration. They have been at ever since land border opened 25 years ago.. Only accept 1000 Thai Baht for the 20 $ VOA, when the Baht was at 40 to the dollar at Poipet. At Had Lek they started out with 1200 Baht and worked their way up to 1600 Baht (if they thought you looked dumb enough to pay that much). Then they had the 'doctor' charging you another 100 Baht for some Malaria pills and a clean bill of health. 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities in Cambodia are charging 7,000 baht for an ATK test that can be bought in Thailand at a 7-Eleven for a fraction of that.

Best news I've heard all day... hope all the "attraction entrance fees" are bumped-up considerably too.

[vandeventer]

2 hours ago, mahtin said:

Something fishy there.

Maybe we should charge Cambodians 14000 baht for the same 50 baht test kit. I guess this is just another way of making money with low tourism here.

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

They had been told that because they had had only one jab they would have to take an ATK test.

Absolutely correct! 

If you are FULLY vaccinated (minimum 2 injections) then entry to Cambodia is hassle free if you can show the appropriate proof.

If you are not fully vaccinated then you must take an ATK test at Cambodian price! 

 

"Travellers who are fully vaccinated and carrying a passport or a letter of permission will be allowed to use the border crossing."

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501066518/poipet-border-to-open-for-travellers-from-sunday/

 

Cambodians scamming Thais??? I like it!!!

Edited May 2, 2022 by Burma Bill
additional information

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

They didn't have the cash.

There is no reason a Thai is not double vaxed as they were in front of the queue well before Falangs were allowed, outside of BKK, and yet they have money for a trip to Cambodia 

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, stat said:

I like Thailand and the Thai people. However "good" so see them learn how it feels being ripped off as falangs in other countries for a change.

At least they are not carted off to overpriced hospitals, Hospitels, or hotels, and being charged questionable prices and fees. As the Cambodian ATK test fee is fixed, at least people arriving know how much to pay.

[Emdog]

4 hours ago, stat said:

Prople from other nations are usually fully vacinated with 2 shots, otherwise unlikely they entered TH.

and the expats on retirement visas who swear they'll never get a vax.

Perhaps the high prices are there to discourage non vaxed from going to Cambodia, ya think?

It's not like they are requiring the spendy test of everyone....

so good for them.

[Jaxxper]

I guess they thought it was their turn to get some of the testing revenue !!

[Andrew65]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Sounds like a smuggling opportunity!

Marlboro Lights £0.70 a pack

"So cheap it doesn't make sense not to smoke!"????

[2009]

4 hours ago, stat said:

I like Thailand and the Thai people. However "good" so see them learn how it feels being ripped off as falangs in other countries for a change.

I think they call that "Som nam na"

[Dialemco]

Poetic justice.

[RyanWalker]

Anyone who go to Cambodia for any reason has to check his mind. Craphole

[josephbloggs]

2 hours ago, brianthainess said:

There is no reason a Thai is not double vaxed as they were in front of the queue well before Falangs were allowed, outside of BKK, and yet they have money for a trip to Cambodia 

Jeez.  You do realise this is a land border crossing where most people going across the border are small time traders, people trying to earn a living, and usually coming back the same day.  They are not jetting off from Bangkok and staying in 5-star hotels so of course they don't have 7,000 baht for an ATK test!

Your lack of compassion is astounding, but not surprising given the rest of your post.  

[Andrew65]

Booze and smokes are way cheaper in Cambodia, must be big "cross-border trade". I believe a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red in Thailand now costs about the same as in the UK. (taxes)

[Andrew65]

2 hours ago, RyanWalker said:

Anyone who go to Cambodia for any reason has to check his mind. Craphole

Not a problem for a 'seasoned traveller'????

[BumGun]

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

Jeez.  You do realise this is a land border crossing where most people going across the border are small time traders, people trying to earn a living, and usually coming back the same day.  They are not jetting off from Bangkok and staying in 5-star hotels so of course they don't have 7,000 baht for an ATK test!

Your lack of compassion is astounding, but not surprising given the rest of your post.  

I think the entire point is to force people to get vacced BEFORE they come to Cambodia by making the cost of being unvacced prohibitive, not that there is some grand conspiracy to fleece the poor.    I think that's actually an excellent idea.  They could force people to quarantine and take multiple tests like other countries do if they are unvaccinated but this seems a quicker easier thing to do.

[geisha]

Even tho Omicron is  being dismissed as a mild Covid/cold , many people still have to be hospitalized and there are also very vulnerable people who have not been correctly vaccinated ( country folk) .

So , why put people at risk, who wants to sit next to an un vaxed person on a flight for example , a bit of thought for others wouldn’t go amiss.  I still believe travelers should be obliged to be vaccinated and tested,  and not allowed to board flights, or enter foreign countries without. ( except of course people with valid medical condition with proof). 

[uksmdh]

16 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

At least they are not carted off to overpriced hospitals, Hospitels, or hotels, and being charged questionable prices and fees. As the Cambodian ATK test fee is fixed, at least people arriving know how much to pay.

What happens if you fail the ATK test.  Are you not "carted off" then?

[bangkokairportlink]

I will refund with their wives and daughters !

 

[bangkokairportlink]

6 hours ago, geisha said:

Even tho Omicron is  being dismissed as a mild Covid/cold , many people still have to be hospitalized and there are also very vulnerable people who have not been correctly vaccinated ( country folk) .

So , why put people at risk, who wants to sit next to an un vaxed person on a flight for example , a bit of thought for others wouldn’t go amiss.  I still believe travelers should be obliged to be vaccinated and tested,  and not allowed to board flights, or enter foreign countries without. ( except of course people with valid medical condition with proof). 

Any idea that you are saying BS and that we are all made to die soon, especially the weak and old ?

If my Mom dies, it's just logic, but you do not seem to understand.

 

[Neeranam]

20 hours ago, stat said:

Prople from other nations are usually fully vacinated with 2 shots, otherwise unlikely they entered TH.

Thais are much more likely to be vaccinated than other nationalities. 

[mikerwriter]

It’s profoundly unprofessional to report this as “Cambodians,” and not “Cambodia,” the country. When you write about Thai policy, do you use “the Thais?” When you write about any country, it’s always more accurate to name the country, not the generalized term for its people. Depersonalization is used for a very good reason. It avoids offending people who can differentiate themselves from the state or whatever institution you are referring to. Some may think I’m splitting hairs, but in a world on the brink of WWIII, it’s better to avoid offending anyone you haven’t thought of yet.

[Kwaibill]

On 5/2/2022 at 12:35 PM, mahtin said:

Something fishy there.

And it ain't nam prik pla!