Day or 2 in poipet casino/hotel area

[atyclb]

If one has a non o 1 year mult entry visa and just wants to visit the hotel/casino area but not for visa run purposes is it possible?

[phuketrichard]

of course;

they will stamp u out of thailand, u pay for a visa for cambodia ( $20)

than come back an enter thailand on a new 90 days

With a mutli entry visa u can come and go in and out of thailand as many times as u wish within the time frame and even if u leave a day before it expires u get an additional 90 days so ur 1 year visa is almost 15 months!!

[atyclb]

thais get whats called a border pass for the stay there i believe without needing to get a visa. the hotel area is sort of a grey zone as they are supposedly not allowed to exit the hotel area further into cambodia

[phuketrichard]

thai's get 15 day visa exempt for free for Cambodia,

the border pass is only for those without a passport

Casinos are PAST immigration

[bender92]

thai's get 15 day visa exempt for free for Cambodia,

the border pass is only for those without a passport

Casinos are PAST immigration

The casinos are before the Cambodian immigration, so no Camb. visa is needed. I don't know if Thailand will stamp you out if you tell them you are just going to the casinos. I have not been that way yet.

When I came from Cambodian side, they did not stamp we out, so I could go back and forth to Cambodia if I wanted. I ended up staying in the zone, the Diamond Casino has a nice restaurant Chillax, good western food, see some reviews of hotels on tripadvisor.

Blackjack is only 100 baht/hand. Thais mostly play Baccarat and fan tan. Everything is in Baht.

[phuketrichard]

as i recall exiting cambodia at Poi pet

Leaving Cambodia

Cambodian immigration is on the right hand side you clear and walk across the street and enter the buliding for thai immigration. IF ur driving a car ( as i usally am) u leave ur car in the center of the road an after u clear thai immigration you need go back to no mans land and get ur car to drive it to Thai cusotms ( also in the center of the road)

Exiitng at Pailn the Casinos are on the riight hand side than immigration, on the left hand side, Walk across the bridge an thai immitgarion is on the right hand side

[tony5150]

I remember getting caught in a huge rain storm coming from Cambodia to Thailand. I ducked into the casino to get out of the rain. When I left o was 63, 000 baht richer.I took a cab back to Bangkok instead of the train. And boy did I splurge the next couple weeks. Lots of booze and women.

[bender92]

as i recall exiting cambodia at Poi pet

Leaving Cambodia

Cambodian immigration is on the right hand side you clear and walk across the street and enter the buliding for thai immigration. IF ur driving a car ( as i usally am) u leave ur car in the center of the road an after u clear thai immigration you need go back to no mans land and get ur car to drive it to Thai cusotms ( also in the center of the road)

Exiitng at Pailn the Casinos are on the riight hand side than immigration, on the left hand side, Walk across the bridge an thai immitgarion is on the right hand side

Nope. I was there this month, the immigration posts are a long block apart, the casinos are in no-mans-land. This photo is looking towards Thailand from the strip.

[phuketrichard]

my mistake than, thought they were a lot closer, last time i was there was july 2012,

i prefer to exit at Pailin.

[mrdome]

And tony5150, how did you achieve this magical turn of events - do tell

[Gentmartin]

hi, this is my border of choice for visa runs so the info is current and precise.

You cannot get to the casinos without exiting thailand through immigration. In theory, you would not need to get a Cambo visa on arrival as you never get to the Cambo immigration point at the end of the no mans land strip, visa on arrival place is at the start of the no mans land strip on the right just after the bridge you cross when youve exited Thai immigration. But heres the problem. The Thais under no circumstances (and Ive tried it on many times !!) will not let you back in without a Cambo immigration stamp so youll have to get a visa on arrival anyway sadly. BEfore you buy one, there are two or three cambo police sat under a gazebo, just after the visa on arrival place also on the right. I suggest you talk to them, they are really great and do express fee ( they jump on their motorbike and stamp you in and out in 5 mins so you dont need to queue for just 200B) they might also be able to give you help and advice getting back into thailand without the cambo stamp. I would suggest you do go into Poipet though, its a nice friendly little town with a couple of nightclubs, few quiet bars and street food....no 7/11s sorry !! But im always made welcome and in 3 years Ive been going there havent been diddled or had to pay over the odds...nice people, and most speak English.

If you need any more advice feel free to email me :-)

[Ajaan]

thai's get 15 day visa exempt for free for Cambodia,

the border pass is only for those without a passport

Casinos are PAST immigration

The casinos are before the Cambodian immigration, so no Camb. visa is needed. I don't know if Thailand will stamp you out if you tell them you are just going to the casinos. I have not been that way yet.

When I came from Cambodian side, they did not stamp we out, so I could go back and forth to Cambodia if I wanted. I ended up staying in the zone, the Diamond Casino has a nice restaurant Chillax, good western food, see some reviews of hotels on tripadvisor.

Blackjack is only 100 baht/hand. Thais mostly play Baccarat and fan tan. Everything is in Baht.

Nope, you are quite wrong; phuketrichard is correct. The casinos are past Cambodian immigration; they are fully inside Cambodia. Trust me, I spent a week in Poipet facilitating a workshop for casino workers.

[Gentmartin]

thai's get 15 day visa exempt for free for Cambodia,

the border pass is only for those without a passport

Casinos are PAST immigration

The casinos are before the Cambodian immigration, so no Camb. visa is needed. I don't know if Thailand will stamp you out if you tell them you are just going to the casinos. I have not been that way yet.

When I came from Cambodian side, they did not stamp we out, so I could go back and forth to Cambodia if I wanted. I ended up staying in the zone, the Diamond Casino has a nice restaurant Chillax, good western food, see some reviews of hotels on tripadvisor.

Blackjack is only 100 baht/hand. Thais mostly play Baccarat and fan tan. Everything is in Baht.

Nope, you are quite wrong; phuketrichard is correct. The casinos are past Cambodian immigration; they are fully inside Cambodia. Trust me, I spent a week in Poipet facilitating a workshop for casino workers.

Sorry mate, you are totally wrong ! You buy the visa on arrival BEFORE the casinos then stamp into cambodia after the casinos, was there last thursday and have been through there 27 times in the last 3 years. but if you dont buy the visa on arrival you are free to wander down the strip at will till the end where the immigration stamp in booths are. the order is.....Thai immigration, bridge, visa on arrival office on the right , casinos on no mans land strip left and right, then immigration booth at the end, also on the right.....

[phuketrichard]

hi, this is my border of choice for visa runs so the info is current and precise.

You cannot get to the casinos without exiting thailand through immigration. In theory, you would not need to get a Cambo visa on arrival as you never get to the Cambo immigration point at the end of the no mans land strip, visa on arrival place is at the start of the no mans land strip on the right just after the bridge you cross when youve exited Thai immigration. But heres the problem. The Thais under no circumstances (and Ive tried it on many times !!) will not let you back in without a Cambo immigration stamp so youll have to get a visa on arrival anyway sadly. BEfore you buy one, there are two or three cambo police sat under a gazebo, just after the visa on arrival place also on the right. I suggest you talk to them, they are really great and do express fee ( they jump on their motorbike and stamp you in and out in 5 mins so you dont need to queue for just 200B) they might also be able to give you help and advice getting back into thailand without the cambo stamp. I would suggest you do go into Poipet though, its a nice friendly little town with a couple of nightclubs, few quiet bars and street food....no 7/11s sorry !! But im always made welcome and in 3 years Ive been going there havent been diddled or had to pay over the odds...nice people, and most speak English.

If you need any more advice feel free to email me :-)

as i said i much prefer Pailin.

Last time i drove out, went past immigration ( they just raised the gate and drove into thailand), When we got to the market area i realized i was in Thailand and had to drive back to immigration than i parked the car and walked down to Cabodian immigration and got stamped out an walked back toThailand where i had left my car, They though i was Leaving thailand as my car was pointed to Cambodia :-)

When i left via Poi pet u got thru thai immigration in the building on the left facing Thailand) BUT ur car is ls left in no mans land, had to jump the fence to go back and get it:-)

I thought i was right about the casino inside Cambodia. I have always brought my visa an that is where i am stamped into Cambodia at Poi Pet, Palin an Osmach

Same goes for the casino after u enter Cambodia at Osmach its on the left after immigration

Customs for Poi Pet an Osmach is AFTER the casinos

[edwardandtubs]

It's possible to wonder straight past Thai immigration at certain times of the day and no one will stop you. This has always struck me as loophole that could be abused by unscrupulous gamblers.

[Dork]

It's possible to wonder straight past Thai immigration at certain times of the day and no one will stop you. This has always struck me as loophole that could be abused by unscrupulous gamblers.

Yes it doesn't seem very secure at the actual Thai/Cambodian gate. But I believe that the border area around there is quite porous anyway. People in the gambling business there tell me that they can pass from one side to the other 24 hours a day.

[BigSkip]

thai's get 15 day visa exempt for free for Cambodia,

the border pass is only for those without a passport

Casinos are PAST immigration

The casinos are before the Cambodian immigration, so no Camb. visa is needed. I don't know if Thailand will stamp you out if you tell them you are just going to the casinos. I have not been that way yet.

When I came from Cambodian side, they did not stamp we out, so I could go back and forth to Cambodia if I wanted. I ended up staying in the zone, the Diamond Casino has a nice restaurant Chillax, good western food, see some reviews of hotels on tripadvisor.

Blackjack is only 100 baht/hand. Thais mostly play Baccarat and fan tan. Everything is in Baht.

Nope, you are quite wrong; phuketrichard is correct. The casinos are past Cambodian immigration; they are fully inside Cambodia. Trust me, I spent a week in Poipet facilitating a workshop for casino workers.

NO AJAAN, You are wrong, casinos ARE in the middle, the immigrations are on either end, straight shot to Cambodia border from Thailand, the middle is casinos (NO MANS LAND). I was there in Dec 2013,

[jobsworth]

it's a bit of a grey area and hence your question.

you might be able to sneak through.

i would just play it by ear.

good luck and may you prosper.

some years ago i stayed in Poipet Cambodia and took a motodop to the casino area

to eat some Thai food since Cambodia food in Poipet was not very good.

then when i took another motodop back to my hotel in Poipet Cambodia i was stopped by the Cambodian immigration and had to show my Cambodia visa.

i don't think Thai immigration will stop you.

you cannot go to the roundabout which is definitely in Cambodia.

i know that i was going the other way but i hope that this helps.

[iancnx]

Is there a hotel at the casino? What's the deal there?

[jacko45k]

I remember getting caught in a huge rain storm coming from Cambodia to Thailand. I ducked into the casino to get out of the rain. When I left o was 63, 000 baht richer.I took a cab back to Bangkok instead of the train. And boy did I splurge the next couple weeks. Lots of booze and women.

And then you woke up on a bench in Poipet....

[fifthcolumn]

hi, this is my border of choice for visa runs so the info is current and precise.

You cannot get to the casinos without exiting thailand through immigration. In theory, you would not need to get a Cambo visa on arrival as you never get to the Cambo immigration point at the end of the no mans land strip, visa on arrival place is at the start of the no mans land strip on the right just after the bridge you cross when youve exited Thai immigration. But heres the problem. The Thais under no circumstances (and Ive tried it on many times !!) will not let you back in without a Cambo immigration stamp so youll have to get a visa on arrival anyway sadly. BEfore you buy one, there are two or three cambo police sat under a gazebo, just after the visa on arrival place also on the right. I suggest you talk to them, they are really great and do express fee ( they jump on their motorbike and stamp you in and out in 5 mins so you dont need to queue for just 200B) they might also be able to give you help and advice getting back into thailand without the cambo stamp. I would suggest you do go into Poipet though, its a nice friendly little town with a couple of nightclubs, few quiet bars and street food....no 7/11s sorry !! But im always made welcome and in 3 years Ive been going there havent been diddled or had to pay over the odds...nice people, and most speak English.

If you need any more advice feel free to email me :-)

There has not been a queue in the last two years of doing this for me. Visa in given in less than ten (5min) for us20. Rubbish.

Stay clear of all cops, especially ones lazing about under a gazebo, what awful advice.

[bender92]

Is there a hotel at the casino? What's the deal there?

The casinos are all hotels. Ones I checked like Diamond and Tropicana are 1000 baht/night and you get 500 baht in promo chips (they must be played, can not be cashed out). The Star Vegas is 800 baht with 400 in chips, and hey should have a swimming pool finished next month.

The first 2 mentioned here require you to buy 25,000 baht in promo chips on Friday and Saturday nights, and you get a free room. These chips must be played not cashed in. THe Diamond does have a small hotel next door if you don't want to buy so many chips, called the RCA Inn. It is 500 baht and has TV with 3 movie channels, fridge, hot shower. The room is differnet than the casino in that the walls are bare and the shower has no glass wall. Near this hotel are laundries and internet and fruit and shops.

I did not look for ATMs in the casino strip - are there any there? In Poipet?

[bender92]

hi, this is my border of choice for visa runs so the info is current and precise.

You cannot get to the casinos without exiting thailand through immigration. In theory, you would not need to get a Cambo visa on arrival as you never get to the Cambo immigration point at the end of the no mans land strip, visa on arrival place is at the start of the no mans land strip on the right just after the bridge you cross when youve exited Thai immigration. But heres the problem. The Thais under no circumstances (and Ive tried it on many times !!) will not let you back in without a Cambo immigration stamp so youll have to get a visa on arrival anyway sadly. BEfore you buy one, there are two or three cambo police sat under a gazebo, just after the visa on arrival place also on the right. I suggest you talk to them, they are really great and do express fee ( they jump on their motorbike and stamp you in and out in 5 mins so you dont need to queue for just 200B) they might also be able to give you help and advice getting back into thailand without the cambo stamp. I would suggest you do go into Poipet though, its a nice friendly little town with a couple of nightclubs, few quiet bars and street food....no 7/11s sorry !! But im always made welcome and in 3 years Ive been going there havent been diddled or had to pay over the odds...nice people, and most speak English.

If you need any more advice feel free to email me :-)

What you say about needing a Cambodian visa just for the casinos makes sense. You are physically in Cambodia even tho the gates are past the casinos. I bet the casino hotels require the Cambodian visa in order to check you in, so if you are staying at a casino, do not get stamped out of Cambodia right after you get the Camb. visa. Get stamped out after you check out of the hotel. I have a one-year for Thailand with multiple re-entry, so no problem on that side.

[Dork]

I think there is sometimes confusion because the strip of land containing the casinos is often incorrectly referred to as "no mans land". Actually the bridge immediately after Thai immigration is the demarcation line between Thailand and Cambodia. The casino strip might more accurately be called a special economic zone since not only is a visa not required to stay in that area but it is also a tax free zone. The casinos operate under concessions granted by the Cambodian Government and don't pay profits tax or VAT. The concessions usually include licences to operate one or more duty free shops and the employees working there don't pay income tax.

The Cambodian immigration checkpoint is at the far side of the casino zone and to pass there you do need a Cambodian entry stamp though you can freely come back into the casino zone after obtaining it. Presumably it is setup like this to enable Thai gamblers to come and lose their money as easily as possible since they don't need to be stamped into Cambodia.

The complication for foreigners is that once they have exited Thailand they won't be allowed to re-enter Thailand without having Cambodian entry/exit stamps.

The casinos couldn't care less about your immigration status and as far as I know Cambodia doesn't have any entry requirements for the casino zone. However there is a catch for any foreigner that overnights there in that their Cambodian entry/exit stamps must correspond with the Thai stamps so even if the foreigner has no intention of entering Cambodia proper they must go to the checkpoint to have their passport stamped for entry on the same day they leave Thailand and then return there for their exit stamp on the day they intend entering Thailand. I have heard of Cambodian immigration officers extorting foreigners that haven't realised this and not had their entry stamped on the same day they left Thailand.

The casinos have runners that will arrange the visa and entry/exit stamps without requiring anything from you except your passport and some money. I would imagine if you stump up enough cash for chips that you will almost certainly lose, they would do the visa for you for free.

There is a map showing the area here:http://wikitravel.org/en/Poipet