The 2 stratetic errors of the Democrats.

[Scouse123]

I have been in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in July and August for different reasons, and here are my findings.

 

Phnom Penh.

 

I went there to obtain a long term visa and I flew into the main airport. A lot of things have changed and there was no onboard form filling, it's all done with QR codes and computers at the airport on arrival. A kind senior officer guided me through this new process and I obtained the E visa, so I could extend to a long term retirement visa.  A T visa cannot be used to change to a long term visa, although you can extend as a tourist once.

 

I booked into the Sun and Moon urban hotel and was extremely pleased with the standard and location of the property.

 

The place around the hotel has many lady bars and was busy to say the least. The bars had a lot of young pretty women and plenty of them, unlike Nana plaza or Soi Cowboy where it is becoming  ' Grab a Granny' in many bars.

 

There was also a large Gay pride event whilst I was there, which I didn't bother with as not my scene. I didn't really bother much with the lady bars either, as my purpose was to get a visa.

 

I found an agent on the riverfront as soon as I arrived and paid the going rate via an agent for the visa, plus I paid the additional $70 for the rapid service.

 

Furthermore, I handed my passport and the following morning it was given to me completed at 10.00 am.

 

Phnom Penh, contrary to some observations here, was busy. Likewise, some have suggested you cannot get VOA at Phnom Penh airport, well, you can.

 

It was a good trip, and I am happy to have done it, just in case I dislike any future Thai government tax issues, when an announcement is made regarding foreigners. This will enable me, if I don't like the regulations, to keep my stay in Thailand to six months.

 

Siem Reap.

 

We went by car to the Chong Chom border, after first staying overnight in Surin at the Hotel Silve. It's about 4.5 hours from our place in Kalasin. I find this more convenient, faster and cheaper than two planes, Roi to Bangkok then Bangkok to Siem Reap and now, an hour's journey to get into town from the new airport.

 

That border has got a great deal busier than it was previously, with a lot of cargo and increased number of people. Of course, there are the casino visitors as well.

 

Similar story, I parked in the military car park and went in a private car at $60 for the two of us to Siem Reap. Siem Reap was busy. We stayed on the edge of pub street at Apsara Centrepole hotel, a modest hotel, but great location for pub street.

 

My term deposit was due for renewal at Canadia bank, where I get 4.75% paid monthly interest, compared with Thailand offering 2%. If you have a long term visa, they tax your given interest at 7%, if you have only tourist visa it is 15%. Yes, you can open a bank account with a tourist visa and obtain a debit card.

 

The return journey, I picked up a 1 litre of Jameson's Irish whisky for $19, and a 1 litre Cabernet Sauvignon, (Chilean), for $12 at the border point.

 

 

Crossing back into Thailand, it is necessary to fill out a landing card, which caught me unaware, but the officer explained it was still policy at land borders.

 

Both cities were busy on my visits.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 12 by Scouse123

[Skeptic7]

Great report. Very informative. 👍

[JimTripper]

Why did you get the long term Cambodian visa now rather then just waiting until you moved?

 

Do you feel like they may change the Cambodian visa requirements in the future?

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Why did you get the long term Cambodian visa now rather then just waiting until you moved?

 

Do you feel like they may change the Cambodian visa requirements in the future?

 

 

Because I am not moving, but if I intend to stay there for three or four months, I've got the visa, and it can easily now be renewed, depending on the outcome of this tax regulation implication in Thailand. The maximum on a tourist visa is 1 month, which you can extend once.

 

Then there's the additional full page visas in your passport etc. filling it up quickly.

 

I am also a frequent visitor to Cambodia and I bank there, if I am a long term visa holder, interest is taxed at 7%, if on a tourist visa it is 15%.

 

 I don't want the faff of applying for a visa every time I take a trip there, so this way makes sense to me.

 

Not only that, but I am far too happy with my life, my partner and our houses in Thailand.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 13 by Scouse123