Latest scam at Cambodian immigration - Koh Kong

[tlcwaterfall]

I guess I should clarify. I was risking nothing. They weren't going to do anything to me. They were trying to look intimidating and failing at it. I know this because 1: I was there, and 2: I went on my merry way without any problems. Not paying the $7 meant an extra 9 or 10 minutes. And yeah, I do feel much better walking away knowing they can't pull one over on me. It's not a matter of me not wanting to part with that money, it's about not wanting it feeding the kleptocracy. If you would rather pay that money, that's totally fine. Not sure though why people are confused about why someone would want to stand on principle. Oh, and if you would have paid because you're afraid of what they might do to you, I suggest you grow a pair.

I spent four years in Cambodia, haven't been back in a while, and won't for a long time - in four years, I lost five friends to the Cambo Police, or Military - Cambodia is a place ou can disappear easily or be killed at the blink of an eye..............in the back of every Cambodian's brain is a Pol Pot just looking for an excuse to come out, maybe not today, maybe tomorrow or next year, but come out it will. You have been warned, no one loses face like a Cambodian with badge.

... and these guys are talking about taking the risk over $7.... then state confidently there is no risk and preach about right and wrong in a country which exterminated millions of their own people not too many years ago.

Perhaps people should be warned about taking the OP's (and others) advice to stand your ground and argue with border officials over $7.

Simple answer is if you are concerned about the $7 or the scam stay in Thailand. No doubt Cambodia is a nice place to visit but with the hassles at the border I prefer to stay in Thailand the majority of the time.

I have been through the border several times at Chong Chom and they always try it on. Considering the fun I have in Cambodia and the money I save there compared to Thailand the $7 is irrelevant to me.

[ravip]

There is some info here about visas >>>

http://www.embassyofcambodia.org/visa.html

http://www.howtogotocambodia.com/visa-for-cambodia/

[Cheap Backpacker]

For me the payment comes down to $$$. I bet the people who don't care have plenty of money and a retirement income.

Others here on a more limited budget don't want to hand over $7.00 if they don't have to. To me $7.00 can buy you a lot in South East Asia, try 7 meals. So for me $7.00 is nothing to just throw away.

Last time I went I didn't want to pay the 100 baht at Poipet. I believe it is only 100 baht they charge over the $30 dollars at Poipet, not sure where $7.00 is coming from

I decided to just conveniently have only 30 baht and I said this is all I had and they quickly took it. I admit I was a bit scared to push it for nothing, although when I said I didn't have any baht I think they were simply going to let me go until I said "oh I have 30 baht".

The other issue I see here is that just like in business everything is built into the price. These bribes are probably part of everybody's pay so the salaries are a low lower for everybody. This means they charge less for the Visa.

So in a way if they didn't take bribes we may simply be paying $37 for the Visa without the extortion, this is simply because the salaries for everybody would be higher.

Something else interesting, I heard to get on the police in Cambodia you have to pay $7,000 dollars bribe. You see this makes perfect sense because police make most of their salary by keeping fines. Like the time they got $1.00 from me when they stopped me on my scooter driving without a Cambodian License.

Everything is built into the price, so in a way we are really not getting totally ripped off. I'm just cheap and if I can avoid not paying I'll try it.

[ravip]

To me $7.00 can buy you a lot in South East Asia, try 7 meals.

Well... yes.

But...

[rtr4]

was crossing trough Poipet about Month ago. There was like 100 baht processing fee. I did my homework before so knew that is a scam. I had exact 30$ in my wallet and just 40 baht. I was asked for the hundred i said i do not have. Then i was asked for 3$ and i replied i do not have. That clearly confused the guy. I was with a Bkk-siem reap bus which was waiting otherwise i wouldnt give them a single baht. I told the guy i have 40 baht. He swiftly grabbed them and i waited like couple min on visa and thats it.

Otw back from PhnomPhen just s mal scam for Vip treatment where most Cambodian paid which consist that bus boy took the passport to Cambodian custom to stamp them and that was it.

Even i did nota pay he walk with me to the custom to show me where do i have to get the exit stamp. Like free Vip :-).

Otherwise no problems i just pass the sars or whatever vaccination stand was it n nobody stop me .

I u derstand most of people whompay because the pressure can be intimidating.

Unless there is international pressure i doubt something will chamge.

Btw ive never seen so many luxury car at one place then in PP.

One might ask where the money come from.

[angsta]

The 'just pay more and don't worry' rubbish line encourages these morons to continue the scam and increase the bribe. If everyone said no then what would they do. Fair play to the OP. Stay strong!

This border is infamous for this rubbish. 12 years ago they were running the 1500 baht a visa scam. Jokers.

[tropo]

The 'just pay more and don't worry' rubbish line encourages these morons to continue the scam and increase the bribe. If everyone said no then what would they do. Fair play to the OP. Stay strong!

This border is infamous for this rubbish. 12 years ago they were running the 1500 baht a visa scam. Jokers.

Yet another anti-corruption campaigner pontificating on the "wrongness" of paying an extra $7 to avoid hassles...

Why don't you stand at the border and hand out flyers or at least do something useful instead of whinging on here about how many of us don't mind paying the asking price.

You should also consider that most people are unaware they're being scammed and just pay what they're asked to pay by men in uniform ... which means a flyer handout explaining the real cost could be helpful to your campaign...

We all know you'd be wasting your time though....

As you clearly stated, this "infamous rubbish" was going on 12 years ago and it will go on for many more. Most people don't mind paying an extra $7 (assuming they've read this forum and know it's an extra cost) to avoid inconvenience and write it into the cost of doing visa runs and then get on with their leisurely life in Thailand until the next border run.

[OJAS]

Hmm, sounds like Cambodia would be best avoided for border/visa runs then. Laos sounds like a better destination since I can't recall from reports on here of similar scams going on there.

Yea. Spend 48 hours, 1500 baht (average) for Lao visa and 2000 baht for transportation when the Cambodia scam may of cost you another 150 baht. Make all the sense in the world to me. NOT.

And the typical transportation cost to Cambodia if you don't live anywhere near the border - which you conveniently omit to mention - is...???

And why have you chosen to quote the cost of a Lao visa in THB when it's the official charge in USD which counts? A $35 hassle-free charge for a Lao visa (depending on your nationality) compares favourably to a hassle-laden total $37 charge for its Cambodian counterpart if you ask me! $2 + an untold amount of stress less!!

[buythisdashcam]

The only reason why having to apply for a visa at this border seems to be that you need an ordinary visa (ex business visa).

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/907941-cambodian-businessordinary-visa-extension-of-stay/

If you want a tourist visa just get it online and stop whining like a little girl for $7 !

[BritTim]

Do most of you know why the Cambodian officials tend to sneer at you (except when pocketing a little extra they thought they were not going to get)? They think you are probably rich and stupid like most of the foreigners they see. Now. how on earth did they get that impression?

[buythisdashcam]

With the kind of retarded that they might meet at the border I can understand them :-)

Do most of you know why the Cambodian officials tend to sneer at you (except when pocketing a little extra they thought they were not going to get)? They think you are probably rich and stupid like most of the foreigners they see. Now. how on earth did they get that impression?

[dbrenn]

Doesn't Cambo offer e-visas now? A friend of mine got one recently, in advance and avoided all this visa on arrival queuing and dealing with corrupt border officials. Can't they be used at Koh Kong?

Call me old fashioned, but $7 for a very unpleasant confrontation, then getting subjected to additional humiliation by being made to hang around in the stinking heat for hours, while others are invited to jump the queue in front of the OP - It hardly sounds worth it to me.

[taotoo]

Doesn't Cambo offer e-visas now?

Yes - hence the scam.

[khwaibah]

Doesn't Cambo offer e-visas now? A friend of mine got one recently, in advance and avoided all this visa on arrival queuing and dealing with corrupt border officials. Can't they be used at Koh Kong?

Call me old fashioned, but $7 for a very unpleasant confrontation, then getting subjected to additional humiliation by being made to hang around in the stinking heat for hours, while others are invited to jump the queue in front of the OP - It hardly sounds worth it to me.

The e-Visa can be used on arrival at:

• Phnom Penh International Airport
• Siem Reap International Airport
• Cham Yeam (Koh Kong)
• Poi Pet (Banteay Meanchey)
• Bavet (Svay Rieng)
• And at exit at any major border crossing.

[phuketrichard]

and its $40

[buythisdashcam]

Hello, can you confirm that we can have an ordinary visa at any border ? (but not online) Just need to ask for it ? Thank you.

[johnatong]

Hello, can you confirm that we can have an ordinary visa at any border ? (but not online) Just need to ask for it ? Thank you.

Look at point 14 in the link .

http://www.embassyofcambodia.org/faq.html

[khwaibah]

Hello, can you confirm that we can have an ordinary visa at any border ? (but not online) Just need to ask for it ? Thank you.

Yes you can. A Cambodian tourist visa is 30 USD. At some crossings the Cambodian immigration will sting you for 1500 baht.

[buythisdashcam]

Hello, have you been there lately or not yet ?

[Fookhaht]

Chong Chom/ O samach border do not accept US dollars.

They are very friendly about it and smile and say "1500 baht please". I asked why and they simply said that borders in most ASEAN countries are charging the same. The offer was there to go somewhere else.

I think you have been had properly. Their attitude changes only when you rise hell, ask for the supervisor, show official printouts etc...

In all other cases they count on the foreigner giving in in 30 seconds, which most do, not knowing better.

No, I have not. That is the price for all. Quite simple " Don't pay No Visa". Seen people try it. No US dollars. Seen people try it.

See the other reports where people paid with dollars.. it's a posture that they keep for as much they can. It changes when you raise hell, start taking pictures, noting names, making calls, etc. They know what they do is wrong. They give in when the bets are off, I have seen it before.

They often do back off.

Lao officials in Suvannaket were extorting a fee to exit Laos several years back. Based on advice from the TV forum, I simply reached over the counter, snatched my passport from the grubby little fingers of the extortionist/immigration clerk, and marched across the border without looking back or heeding the curses being shouted my direction.

I encourage everyone not to support the corruption. Kudos to the OP.

[midas]

I think you have been had properly. Their attitude changes only when you rise hell, ask for the supervisor, show official printouts etc...

In all other cases they count on the foreigner giving in in 30 seconds, which most do, not knowing better.

No, I have not. That is the price for all. Quite simple " Don't pay No Visa". Seen people try it. No US dollars. Seen people try it.

See the other reports where people paid with dollars.. it's a posture that they keep for as much they can. It changes when you raise hell, start taking pictures, noting names, making calls, etc. They know what they do is wrong. They give in when the bets are off, I have seen it before.

They often do back off.

Lao officials in Suvannaket were extorting a fee to exit Laos several years back. Based on advice from the TV forum, I simply reached over the counter, snatched my passport from the grubby little fingers of the extortionist/immigration clerk, and marched across the border without looking back or heeding the curses being shouted my direction.

I encourage everyone not to support the corruption. Kudos to the OP.

What you did in Laos was quite brave

have you ever read or heard of the book “ nightmare in Laos “ by Kay Danes? They are a potentially terrifying communist regime I would never want to upset

http://travelhappy.info/laos/nightmare-in-laos-kay-danes-book-review/

[buythisdashcam]

You're so brave, a real Batman <3

No, I have not. That is the price for all. Quite simple " Don't pay No Visa". Seen people try it. No US dollars. Seen people try it.

See the other reports where people paid with dollars.. it's a posture that they keep for as much they can. It changes when you raise hell, start taking pictures, noting names, making calls, etc. They know what they do is wrong. They give in when the bets are off, I have seen it before.

They often do back off.

Lao officials in Suvannaket were extorting a fee to exit Laos several years back. Based on advice from the TV forum, I simply reached over the counter, snatched my passport from the grubby little fingers of the extortionist/immigration clerk, and marched across the border without looking back or heeding the curses being shouted my direction.

I encourage everyone not to support the corruption. Kudos to the OP.

[moe666]

Not a pleasant experience and - before people come on here and say "it was only $7, you should have just paid it and got your visa quickly" - it is quite simply WRONG! Itleaves a bad taste in the mouth and a poor opinion of Cambodia.

Whereas this kind of confrontation leaves you in a happy, care-free mood? I'd have just paid and got on with my life.

people like you are the reason why corruption never stops in countries like Cambodia and Thailand.....

O please with that one it will never stop because they do not want it to stop, it is the government of Cambodia who doesn't want it to stop. A bit of coruption keeps salaries low.

[tropo]

The OP handled it perfectly. Did'nt lose his temper and refused to let them get away with it.. And for those who say 7$ is peanuts ..everyone at once reach in your wallet and fish out 7 bucks.. Send it to me .. just peanuts right.

Been in Cambodia for a year. When I rrived was at SR Airport. The rudest immigration that I 've dealt with since Ecuador. No Cambodians are not warm wonderful people . They smile for money.

I disagree. $7 saving wasn't worth the time it took... it was a waste of time trying to save it. If it's worth saving $7 to argue with the officers in the tropical heat, go for it. I don't need a lecture about how paying it is condoning corruption and suggesting we all try it.

Making government officials lose face is not a smart move and not worth the money saved, even if time wasn't wasted.

[shirtless]

Even with the border scams Cambodia is still much more Farang friendly than Thailand.

[autoc]

On 4/29/2016 at 6:53 AM, shirtless said:

Even with the border scams Cambodia is still much more Farang friendly than Thailand.

 

 

So true ! but so many ridiculous cheap backpackers will never understand anything !

 

 

[tgeezer]

I can't read the whole thread but has it occured to anyone that bribes are shared proportionally up the chain of command? The official fee is properly accounted for I am sure. Maybe the officer can give you a deal but it comes out of his share because who would believe that he didn't collect? If you really want a smooth ride give him some extra which really does go into his pocket.
Where there is a great disparity of wealth as there seems to be between a tourist and national of equal social standing, then service deserves reward. If a the national conceives that he is of higher social standing, then being forced by his job to act as your servant, deserves more reward.


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[JackThompson]

On 12/7/2016 at 9:24 AM, tgeezer said:

I can't read the whole thread but has it occured to anyone that bribes are shared proportionally up the chain of command? The official fee is properly accounted for I am sure. Maybe the officer can give you a deal but it comes out of his share because who would believe that he didn't collect? If you really want a smooth ride give him some extra which really does go into his pocket.
Where there is a great disparity of wealth as there seems to be between a tourist and national of equal social standing, then service deserves reward. If a the national conceives that he is of higher social standing, then being forced by his job to act as your servant, deserves more reward.

An old thread - but an ongoing problem.  It would appear that any bribes "out of the office" must be a lump-sum, given the "flexibility" of the payoff above the "retail price" needed to obtain the VOA service.  My method is:

• Have $USD exact change for the actual visa-on-arrival "sticker price" - $30 'Tourist' or $35 'Ordinary' (the latter extendable in perpetuity in-country, only necessary if planning to stay awhile) to avoid scam-rates of exchange on Baht.  Remind them their national-currency is based on dollars, and the official-fees stated as such, if they argue on this point.
• Include an additional 100 Baht note, or be prepared to wait and argue a long time (will help with the first point).
• If hassled for additional coin, insist you have done this dozens of times and paid this amount all times prior.
• Don't loose your cool at any point - smile, and be somewhat jovial about the whole thing - like a negotiation for an item in a market (which is the culture - magnified by the border-zone scam-factor).

I've never had to wait more than 15 mins using this formula.