Another update. Visited Chong Chom crossing this afternoon. Just before the Chong Chom market only 1 lane and army check point. Market was 50% open. The customs house had 10 lorries waiting to cross. About 500 meters from the crossing is a very major army check point the army will not let you pass unless you have a passport. Casinos vans are parked just to the left, about 80 vans were counted, no tourist buses. Casino customers can cross but only if they have a passport. Crossing is open for border hops. Only valid passport holders are allowed. No day passes. No ID cards allowed. NO private vehicles of any kind allowed to cross. NO parking on the road must use the parking lot. Cambodian taxis to Siem Reap are still available. I have seen today at least 12 Kap Choeng Immigration paddy wagons with at least 150 Cambodians being transported back to the crossing. I also saw another 24 waiting at Kap Choeng Police check point in Kap Choeng for transportation,this was just a few minutes ago.

Thanks for the update, keep them coming. It is still sad to hear that vehicles aren't being allowed to cross. That just doesn't make sense. I wonder why that is? Keep the updates coming though, they have been very useful so far.

Thanks!!!

Do they cheak every luggage ? Even if you have some wine inside ? :-)

Kwaibah you say the crossing is open for border hops.

Does that mean you can exit and re-enter Thailand and get a 30 day stamp?

Do they cheak every luggage ? Even if you have some wine inside ? :-)

Only bring in what is allowed by Thai law. 1 liter of any alcohol and 200 cigarettes. There is a duty declaration area just past arrival and you have to pass it.

Kwaibah you say the crossing is open for border hops.

Does that mean you can exit and re-enter Thailand and get a 30 day stamp?

If you qualify and have not abused the system. This crossing is under the new visa regulation and are enforced.

Do they cheak every luggage ? Even if you have some wine inside ? :-)

Only bring in what is allowed by Thai law. 1 liter of any alcohol and 200 cigarettes. There is a duty declaration area just past arrival and you have to pass it.

It is random.

At Songkran they had 4 customs officers sitting at the table. Thoroughly searched my bag, weren't bothered about the 2 bottles of liquor ......... cigarettes would have been a different matter.

Kwaibah you say the crossing is open for border hops.

Does that mean you can exit and re-enter Thailand and get a 30 day stamp?

If you qualify and have not abused the system. This crossing is under the new visa regulation and are enforced.

He is American..............................I think he means "yes".

Kwaibah you say the crossing is open for border hops.

Does that mean you can exit and re-enter Thailand and get a 30 day stamp?

If you qualify and have not abused the system. This crossing is under the new visa regulation and are enforced.

Thanks for the clarification khwaibah.

I just came back from Koh Kong. Normal procedures are in place there, vehicles can travel in and out no problems. Koh Kong customs may tell you that you can only travel in Koh Kong province if you bring in a Thai or other foreign registered vehicle, but Thai vehicles are always traveling to/from Sre Ambel on a daily basis and possibly further. So all you need to do is agree with them but then you are free to drive your Thai car/motorcycle to wherever you want.

BTW there are now 5 checkpoints between Chantaburi and the Thai border town of Hat Lek. The first checkpoint is at the Trat provincial border. Then on the road to Hat Lek, 4 checkpoints are in place, when normally there would only be one, which is located a little more than half way to Hat Lek. The other three locations are about 20-25km from the Hat Lek turn-off, somewhere near Khlong Yai and the final checkpoint is at the start of Hat Lek town, little more than a km from the border crossing. The army are manning all the checkpoints now (although the permanent army checkpoint just over half way down the road has always been there) and might want to ask for permission to search your vehicle or ask you where you are coming from or headed to. They were very polite and courteous, out of the 5 checkpoints, 2 of them waived all vehicles through, one made a cursory inspection and the other two, closest to the border wanted to do a quick search that took less than 30 seconds each. You are more likely to be search coming back from Cambodia, than heading in the direction of Cambodia.

Why Chong Chom is refusing vehicles is puzzling. Would like to hear more updates about this.

Edited June 12, 201412 yr by Tomtomtom69

Probably because it is up here in Isaan.