Cambodian Visa Run At Aranyaprathet

[nong38]

I did this run for my 90 day extension last October, was charged 800 bts for the visa+ 200bts "help to fill in the visa" 2 officers at 100 bts each and 200 bts for a "fast track" turnaround at the Cambodian end. Thought when I went yesterday it would be pretty much the same, but no. Cleared Thailand in 9 minutes but when I left I was approached by a young man who was clealy under the direction of the Cambodian Immigration/Tourist Police. He asked for 20$ or 1000bts for the visa, he would deal with this for me apparently. I told him it is 20$ or 800 bts my Embassy told me but he was sticking to his 1000bts so same as last time then. After about 2 minutes he came out of the Police Office and asked for a further 500 bts. when I asked what for he told me it was for the Immigration Police, fast track? I informed him I paid 200 bts last time but he was sticking to his 500 bts. This is nothing short of extortion. I guess in this part of the world it goes along with the way of the world, its not what we in the west are used too. I will not be using this crossing again, had no choice this time but it will be Tak or Mae Sai next time a much more straight forward and pleasant experience.

How can they get away with making up the rules as they go along?

The Immigration officers got a rue awakening yesterday and the 500 bts was cancelled.

Now is it worth complaining to the British Embassy in Bangkok?

When I re entered Thailand with my multi 'O' the oficer only wanted to give me 2 months until I insiisted on 90 days.

A hard day!

Edited March 20, 2011 by nong38

[seekingfriends]

hi .it cost me 20 bath at sadow to get the visa filled out by a very charming young lady . james hat yai

[gotlost]

It won't be Tak as Mae Sot is still closed. You could add Chong Chom boarder crossing out of Surin. Thats the way it is..

[steven100]

Welcome to thailand and cambodia ...... unfortunately , that's the way it is and if you feel you have been overcharged or whatever you want to call it then leave. That is the way thai immigration and cambodia immigration and the thai people think.

You mentioned that you are not used to this sort of thing in the west, I'm not so sure on that.

Maybe it's not as pronounced but prices do go up ... prices increase for all types of items as well as any immigration requirements. It just that you see it here as a sort of extortion, but it's the same as a price increase.

Is it worth complaining to the British embassy in Bangkok ? No .. they have no juristiction or power when it comes to the Cambodian immigration.

You would be wasting your time.

Change your border run location.

JMHO.

:jap:

Edited March 21, 2011 by steven100

[lopburi3]

These were not price increases in any legal definition and reporting to Embassy will get it talked about and may in fact lead to more open and legal crossings in the future. No you are not going to get refunds but talking about it will help remove corruption in the long run.

[apetley]

It won't be Tak as Mae Sot is still closed. You could add Chong Chom boarder crossing out of Surin. Thats the way it is..

Chong Chom is alot more relaxed than the crossings closer to BKK.

Cambo visa is usually 1100 bht there plus 100 bht for the Cambo entry and exit stamps although officers try it on for 300. I always say '100 bht last time' as I hand them the 100 bht note and it's always been accepted.

[nong38]

I have no intention of leaving Thailand and no intention fo forking out more money to Cambodian Officials either. If others want to keep giving it will go up and up until the golden goose is dead. I will go to Mae Sai next time and turn it into a break. In the meantime I will be in touch with the Embassy and if enough others do the same thn maybe we will have some effect, I like to be positive, for sure if we do nothing nothing will change so as they say here "up to you".

It is also worth pointing out to the Thai authorities that the more money we use over there the less we can use over here(Thailand) so whose economy would you like to benefit?

I am not at all surprised by the problems at the tmple after last saturdays episode.

[mxyzptlk]

If using the Aranyaprathet / Poipet crossing, get an eVisa in advance of travel. It costs a little more than the standard visa, but does not use a full page in your passport and avoids any contact with the visa on arrival "police". Ignore any touts who approach you and if any "police" stop you, say that you are visitng the casinos and not returning the same day or they will require a "fee" as well. That should cater for any extra "fees" demanded.

I've only been twice but had no problem so far...

Edited March 22, 2011 by mxyzptlk

[nong38]

If using the Aranyaprathet / Poipet crossing, get an eVisa in advance of travel. It costs a little more than the standard visa, but does not use a full page in your passport and avoids any contact with the visa on arrival "police". Ignore any touts who approach you and if any "police" stop you, say that you are visitng the casinos and not returning the same day or they will require a "fee" as well. That should cater for any extra "fees" demanded.

I've only been twice but had no problem so far...

DID NOT KNOW OF AN EVISA what is that and how do you get it? Then you head straight for the Cambodian customs, paas through, walk around for 5 mins and turn round and come back through? How much was that visa?

Thanks, still looking at Mae Sai though and miss the other downsides.

[Tod Daniels]

Here's the link for the E-Visa for Cambodia and which border crossings accept them.

Cambodian E-Visa

FWIW: Aranyaprathet / Poi Pet even has a special line for e-visa holders.

Going off the info on that link it would seem the visa itself is $20US and there's a $5US processing fee, so $25US in all. At 30baht to the dollar that's 750baht. Some friends did it last year when they toured Cambodia, and it didn't cause 'em any grief at all.

Edited March 22, 2011 by tod-daniels

[mxyzptlk]

If using the Aranyaprathet / Poipet crossing, get an eVisa in advance of travel. It costs a little more than the standard visa, but does not use a full page in your passport and avoids any contact with the visa on arrival "police". Ignore any touts who approach you and if any "police" stop you, say that you are visitng the casinos and not returning the same day or they will require a "fee" as well. That should cater for any extra "fees" demanded.

I've only been twice but had no problem so far...

DID NOT KNOW OF AN EVISA what is that and how do you get it? Then you head straight for the Cambodian customs, paas through, walk around for 5 mins and turn round and come back through? How much was that visa?

Thanks, still looking at Mae Sai though and miss the other downsides.

Yes, that's exactly what you do. See Tod's post above for eVisa link

[nong38]

Thanks for all that useful information, one more question........... when I first used this crossing as I left Thailand departures I turned right and crossed the road to immigration, is that where you still go or do you go straight ahead about 50m to the Cambodian border building(Sorry never got that far).