Driving From Los To Cambodia

[Pandemonium]

I would like to hire a car in Bangkok and instead of exploring only Thailand as I normally do, I would also like to cross over into Cambodia and visit Siem Reap and on to Phnom Penh. Are you allowed to drive in Cambodia or is it like Viet Nam?

Is it possible to drive from Phnom Penh west to the Thai Border near Trat and Koh Chaing.

Any information would be great.

Pandemonium

[montrii]

I went four years ago, bus to Aranyaprathet (border), then taxi to Siem Reap. My honey wanted to fly, but I wanted to see what things were like on the ground. I don't know if things have gotten better, but the way they were then, and maybe driving your own rig would work better, but I'd NEVER do it again by taxi, anyhow. The roads were all dirt, dry and throwing up so much dust you could sometimes not see ten feet in front of the car, which, of course was traveling at breakneck speed over the ruts and potholes, jarring the old teeth. There were construction zones that popped up with no warning, in the middle of the dust, where it turned to one lane, and there were farm vehicles and construction vehicles crawling along, with taxis racing and jockeying for advantage even though blinded by the dust. By and large the countryside was monotonous and depressing, compared to the rich green fields of Thailand, even Northeast Thailand.

Don't know anything about the road the rest of the way to Pnom Penh, but am glad I didn't go that far. Went back the same way and felt fortunate to have made it back alive and uninjured, plus don't feel as though I saw a lot. OK, anybody have a more positive experience?

[TerraPosse]

The roads are all fixed and sealed now. Did they PP trip on a bus 2 months ago. The driving in Cambodia is as dodgy and nerve shattering as it is in Thailand. In towns and cities though it's all at a way slower speed.

I did ride a bike around Cambodia a few years ago and was a great way to travel around the country. If you want to come back via Ko Kong and Trat then that road too has been sealed now (thanks to Thai investment) and all the ferries have been replaced by bridges. Haven't gone that way yet myself but heard from friends it's a nice trip to do.

So in short, go for it and enjoy it.

[David Barker]

I went four years ago, bus to Aranyaprathet (border), then taxi to Siem Reap. My honey wanted to fly, but I wanted to see what things were like on the ground. I don't know if things have gotten better, but the way they were then, and maybe driving your own rig would work better, but I'd NEVER do it again by taxi, anyhow. The roads were all dirt, dry and throwing up so much dust you could sometimes not see ten feet in front of the car, which, of course was traveling at breakneck speed over the ruts and potholes, jarring the old teeth. There were construction zones that popped up with no warning, in the middle of the dust, where it turned to one lane, and there were farm vehicles and construction vehicles crawling along, with taxis racing and jockeying for advantage even though blinded by the dust. By and large the countryside was monotonous and depressing, compared to the rich green fields of Thailand, even Northeast Thailand.

Don't know anything about the road the rest of the way to Pnom Penh, but am glad I didn't go that far. Went back the same way and felt fortunate to have made it back alive and uninjured, plus don't feel as though I saw a lot. OK, anybody have a more positive experience?

A couple of months agoI contacted Thai Rent A Car about doing the samebut was told its not pssible due to insurance problems. Shortly after I saw a page on Thai Visa saying that Asean had decided the insurance in any member country would cover all countries.

I have not been able to refind the article but Thai Rent A Car now say they know this change is coming but they have no further information.

[jombom]

As far as I know, it is still not possible to drive a rented car into Cambodia from Thailand. I have enquired many times.

There are only a few good roads in Cambodia. The one to Koh Kong (towards Trat) is excellent, with lovely scenery. Try to avoid travelling at night.

It is not easy to hire a car in Cambodia yet. Better to get a car with driver imho.

Enjoy your visit.

[ericthai]

You need to be the owner of the car to take it out of Thailand. So renting a car and taking out of th Thailand is not possible.

Maybe try and find someone that owns a van and who drives you and ask them if possible. I did know one guy that owned a van and rented it out with him driving, but sorry lost his number along time ago when I bought a car.

Other option as stated is take a bus.

Hope you have a good trip!!

[Forkinhades]

If you do find someone to lend you the car, you will have to get a visa for the car. Not many cars come back from Cambodia,

[Pandemonium]

Thank you all for the info provided. I picked this link up http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Driving-Angk...ia-t208547.html after I had placed the topic on the forum, would probably not have posted if I had read it first.

Now I am wondering if the roads are sealed, maby they have a few petrol stations along the main routes, as the thought of haggeling for petrol out of jerry-cans and the possibility of no petrol is scary.