Trip report to Siem Reap via Chong Chom Surin and Osmach border

[Scouse123]

Guys,

 

We are just back from Siem Reap and I took two Thai business people as well as my other half who all have had a wonderful time and now I am getting inundated with phone calls from Thai people wanting me to take them these.

 

Right, Chong Chom is NOT now a quiet border. It was loaded with trucks and cargo heading for Cambodia.

 

Leaving Thailand was straightforward.

 

Also, once we crossed from Thailand after parking on the Thai side things got difficult. I would like you to know, you need a tuk tuk or a form of transport to get from the Thai parking area to the border, its a fair distance!

 

Once over the border, the problems began and were all blamed on elections.

 

The Thais were given stamps immediately.

 

However, myself who required a visa, (as online visas are not available at this crossing), I had to wait 4 hours along with US Cambodian passport holders and Australian Cambodian passport holders. There was no officer to grant visas and we waited for hours.

 

Once down in Siem Reap, things are picking up. Bars are busy, discos open and so are all restaurants, there was  no mask wearing in public spaces, the Cambodians were warm, friendly and wonderful.

 

My friends had a fantastic time. Angkor Wat was very quiet, so easy to navigate and easy to see plenty of this most famous site in Cambodia.

 

I booked a people carrier as opposed to a minivan and the price was $100 each way. I think you can get cheaper but I didn't want to share with others.

 

Hotels are doing bargains down there at 1200 a night for 5 star places.

 

Return was much simpler, except the Thais also wanted copies of vaccine certificate and were not content with just the Thailand Pass.

Edited June 11, 2022 by Scouse123

[JimmyJ]

 

"Leaving Thailand was straightforward.

 

Also, once we crossed from Thailand after parking on the Thai side things got difficult. I would like you to know, you need a tuk tuk or a form of transport to get from the Thai parking area to the border, its a fair distance!"

 

Wot?

[MJCM]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

I would like you to know, you need a tuk tuk or a form of transport to get from the Thai parking area to the border, its a fair distance!

Did they move the parking area then?? It was only a couple 100 meters from the border when coming from the Market /Kap Choeng on the left hand side!!

 

Edit: Love the report thx for that, also love Siem Reap and Pub street!

Edited June 11, 2022 by MJCM

[Scouse123]

47 minutes ago, MJCM said:

Did they move the parking area then?? It was only a couple 100 meters from the border when coming from the Market /Kap Choeng on the left hand side!!

 

Edit: Love the report thx for that, also love Siem Reap and Pub street!

Hi.

 

Sorry can I clarify.

It's a few hundred metres 20 baht each way on a bike but I had no feelings to walk in boiling hot weather with luggage at 25 kilos!

 

Most of that weight was her make up and the kitchen sink I think.

 

I think my stuff was about 5 kilos!

 

 

 

Edited June 11, 2022 by Scouse123

[MJCM]

9 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Most of that weight was her make up and the kitchen sink I think.

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[Rmac442]

3 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

 

"Leaving Thailand was straightforward.

 

Also, once we crossed from Thailand after parking on the Thai side things got difficult. I would like you to know, you need a tuk tuk or a form of transport to get from the Thai parking area to the border, its a fair distance!"

 

Wot?

Walking distance ..