What is current aran-poipet sitn?

[peterdw]

Has anyone done a visa run at Aran-Poipet in past few days? After Thailand closed the border last week because of the embassy attack, are only Thais and Cambodians barred from crossing? Are people of other nationalities able to still do the visa run as usual? Is the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok operating normally in issuing visas to cross into Poipet?

Thank you for your help,

Peter

[jayenram]

A friend of mine (Australian) did a visa run on Monday crossing at Chong Chom. He didn't have any problems (other than the usual hassle).

[george]

The official news is that the border will open Saturday morning, but I have been unable to confirm that. Called the border several times, but it's busy...

The Nation TV news says that Cambodians can enter Thailand, but Thai's can not enter Cambodia. Not a word what a simple farang can do or not

My believe is that it will open early Saturday morning. Will keep you posted here.

[jayenram]

I spoke to Kap Chung Immigration yesterday and they confirmed that the Chong Chom border is open for Farrangs to renew their visas. I have no knowledge of the Aranyapratet border situation.

[fester]

Reports from Aranyaprathet border:

My friend did a successfulvisa run there this morning (Sunday) and it worked out fine.

A lot of queuing though... Mai mee bpan haa!

[george]

The border is now closed again, for Thais and Khmers, but the media does not say if Farangs can cross or not?

Anyone who can confirm the current situation for for visa runs? Thanks in advance!

[donatella-t]

Has anyone done a visa run to Aranyaprathet in the last few days? How long does it take to go out and back in again if I already have a Cambodian visa? Are there any extra fees to pay on the border?

About how long does it take to drive there from Bangkok? (I like to drive fast)

Thanks!

[donatella-t]

I went to Aranyaprathet last week. It was very, very quiet. I had gotten a Cambodian visa in Bangkok, and was in and out in about 20 minutes. There were SARS checkpoints, but nobody asked me or stopped me when I walked by.

Returning to Thailand, the guy at Cambodian immigration wanted 100 Baht "because I leave the same day". I read somewhere to say the magic phrase "I am going to the casino". That worked. He asked no further questions and I saved a 100 Baht. I applied the savings to buying a bottle of Black label in the tax free shop in no-man's land.

My question. Do the Thai immigration people check that someone actually went into Cambodia? Between the Thai immigration post and the Cambodian one, there's quite a stretch of no man's land. There's a casino and a tax free shop. Could I not just while away some time in the casino and the tax free shop and then return to Thailand without all the hassle of actually going into Cambodia? It would save time and money.

[johng]

Please excuse my ignorance

Where is Chong Chom border crosing ?  

[lopburi3]

Do the Thai immigration people check that someone actually went into Cambodia?

 Yes.  They look for the Cambodia exit stamp.

[croftrobin]

Chong Chom Border crossing is in The Surin District - about 60 Km due south of Surin.

I was there yesterday and crossed over no problems - I forgot my photograph but an extra 100 baht smoothed that over.

Very quiet - stocked up on some J Walker and cartons of ciggies at 210 Baht each - LM's

Only about 3 beggars to be seen.

Casino gaming floor was busy!

Thai immigration were very helpfull advising me to apply for the one year extension

[johng]

Ahhh thank you croftrobin, Surin would be a bit out of the way for me in Chonburi.

Still might be worth the extra distance to avoid the beggars and touts at Aranyaprathet.