Non B Multiple Entry Run To Poi Pet

[midasthailand]

Hi, just thought I would post a report of my run to Poi Pet last week. I have a 12 month Non B multiple entry but no work permit as yet so I needed to do a run before April 7. I had heard that there was a casino bus that departed every hour from in front of Big C in Bang Na and despite attempts to find some reference to it on the Net I could not. I bit the bullet and decided to go to Big C at 8 Am and see what happened.

I arrived at Big C at 0750 and there was a double decker bus there, I quickly established that it was off to the casino in Poi Pet and paid the 200 Baht return fare.

On arrival at Aranyaprathet I de-bussed and went through thai immigration to exit Thailand, having established that the bus departed at 6 PM. After an uneventful exit from Thailand I walked into cambodia, a gentleman approached me to offer his services in obtaining an entry Visa to Cambodia and directed me to a room where Cambodian officials appeared to be having lunch. An invitation to come in was accepted and I quickly parted with 1000 Baht for the Visa and 200 Baht for each of the entry and exit stamps after they had established that I was leaving cambodia before 8 PM. Total cost for the visa run: 200 Baht for the return bus trip, 1400 Baht for the visa, entry and exit stamps and 100 Baht tip for the guy that took me to the lunch room = 1,700 Baht.

Once the formalities were over I had 5 hours to kill, so after buying the duty free cigarettes and whiskey I went to the first casino on the right where I sat at the Texas Hold'Em table and whiled away the required 5 hours before the bus was leaving, won 5,000 Baht and left.

A few points to note. Initially I lost a couple of thousand Baht and needed to visit an ATM, I left the casino and went to the closest ATM where my card (from UOB) was rejected as invalid, I returned to the casino and asked the customer service desk where my card would be accepted and was told only in Thailand but no problem we have someone who will got to the ATM for you. After initial misgivings I handed over my card and PIN number and 25 minuters later my card, cash and ATM receipt were delivered to me.

The drinks while playing are free, but waitresses are hard to spot so when I needed another drink I asked the croupier and hey presto I had a fresh drink. The mood at the table was friendly and I had a very nice day.

All in all a pleasant day trip to the border which got me another 90 days and a small profit on the day.

[lopburi3]

fter initial misgivings I handed over my card and PIN number and 25 minuters later my card, cash and ATM receipt were delivered to me.

Are you serious? I hope you have changed your PIN as they not only had your card to make a copy you provided them the PIN to use the copy.

[jamesjdaly]

That is insane. Sit back and think about it!! Giving your PIN and card to a total stranger!!

[PoorSucker]

After initial misgivings I handed over my card and PIN number and 25 minuters later my card, cash and ATM receipt were delivered to me.

:D :D

[torrenova]

I was going to have a quick quip about the visa at Bt1000 and not $20 or buying it online for $25 but then I saw the Bt200 for each of the entry and exit stamps !!!!!! Lunacy.

But, then the <deleted> comment !

Handing your ATM card and it presumably being a debit card as well over to a total stranger at Poipet of all places !

This poster should be locked up and probably send back to where he came from to protect himself from himself.

In all my years I have heard about idiots giving ATM cards over but never in such a stupid place as this.

His name is Midas, the helpful guy no doubt thinks his name is Midas now.

[bapak]

I was going to have a quick quip about the visa at Bt1000 and not $20 or buying it online for $25 but then I saw the Bt200 for each of the entry and exit stamps !!!!!! Lunacy.

Enlighten me about Cambodian visa online for $25

Cheers, Bapak

[jamesjdaly]

http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vindex.aspx

is the offical website. I have used it and my credit card is still ok!!

[torrenova]

I have been to Poipet before when they have ripped a new $20 note (they take it then close the hatch) to try and get you to pay the Bt1000. Now at Bt44 to the USD they rob you of Bt120 but at the current Bt35 or so, they rob you of Bt300.

All this leaving Cambodia baloney is only a scam for a non existent bus ticket but it does not apply when you have a visa, only for the 15 day stamp (previously 30 days).

[Firefan]

Torrenova,

What do you mean "it does not apply when you have a visa"?

Cheers!

I have been to Poipet before when they have ripped a new $20 note (they take it then close the hatch) to try and get you to pay the Bt1000. Now at Bt44 to the USD they rob you of Bt120 but at the current Bt35 or so, they rob you of Bt300.

All this leaving Cambodia baloney is only a scam for a non existent bus ticket but it does not apply when you have a visa, only for the 15 day stamp (previously 30 days).

[MyphuketLife]

fter initial misgivings I handed over my card and PIN number and 25 minuters later my card, cash and ATM receipt were delivered to me.

Are you serious? I hope you have changed your PIN as they not only had your card to make a copy you provided them the PIN to use the copy.

WOW crazy... I can't believe you would give your card and PIN to a total stranger... That is just asking for trouble...

So you gambled your bank account so you could gamble...crazy

[Mario2008]

Torrenova,

What do you mean "it does not apply when you have a visa"?

Cheers!

I have been to Poipet before when they have ripped a new $20 note (they take it then close the hatch) to try and get you to pay the Bt1000. Now at Bt44 to the USD they rob you of Bt120 but at the current Bt35 or so, they rob you of Bt300.

All this leaving Cambodia baloney is only a scam for a non existent bus ticket but it does not apply when you have a visa, only for the 15 day stamp (previously 30 days).

With a propper visa you don't need proof of onward travel, with a visa exempt entry you do need proof of onward travel. To provide that proof you can buy a busticket.