Travelling to Cambodia via land border - advice needed

[momtaz]

Hello guys,

my friend planning to go for renew his visa to Cambodia,

he never been there before,

would to ask, how to go to there? have direct buses? or van?

Have direct van to the capital pnom penh? or just at the border?

How about the visa?

Any interesting places to visit in the capital city or nearby areas?

The type of places such as public parks, museums, beaches, historic places,

he is not interested in bars, life night or gambling etc,

Any replies to the above will be highly appreciated with many thanks in advance!

Kind regards

[Asiantravel]

Details: Bangkok to the Had Lek / KOH KONG crossing
1a. From Bangkok: A/c bus to Trat. ~200 baht, 5-6 hours.
1b. From Koh Chang: Boat from Koh Chang to Leam Ngop. Share taxi to Trat. Moto to bus station.
2. Take a van from Trat market to the Thai border town of Had Lek. Vans depart every 30 minutes or so and take about 1h30m to the border.
3. Stamp out of Thailand. Walk to the Cambodian immigration station to buy a visa and stamp in. Drivers will approach you as soon as you come out of the immigration station. Prices into Koh Kong City 8 km away run about 100B for moto, $7-$8 for a tuk-tuk and $10 for private taxi into town
4. Travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by regularly scheduled daily bus or taxi. The road is paved and in fair condition. 4-5 hours.

PHNOM PENH to/from KOH KONG
Taxi Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.

Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c buses. $12-13/person. About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart around 7:45AM and another at midday.

http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/ppintro.htm

[ubonjoe]

Visa are not renewed. What new visa will he be applying for?

There are better choices to get a visa than Phnom Penh.

There are direct buses from Bangkok to PP. It is number 13 on this list: http://home.transport.co.th/index.php/th/2014-12-16-07-24-56/%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96/item/443-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A8-international-route.html

[yimlitnoy]

My son is 18 with double nationality, Canadian and Thai. Last year he went by van from Trat to Siem Reap and they got rip off just before the border, the Thai driver stopped and asked for more money from all of them in the van.

They told him that they did not know that he was Thai, they said that their business was to make money with falangs and if they had known that he was Thai they would not have taken him. It was you pay or you stay here on the highway.

May I suggest that you fly instead or take the visa run bus from Bangkok.

[HarrySeaman]

Details: Bangkok to the Had Lek / KOH KONG crossing

First, go on line and get a Cambodian e-visa to save you money and hassle. It will cost $40 vs the $30 you are supposed to be charged at the border. Of course the Cambodian Immigration officers will tell you that they don't accept US currency (a lie) and that the cost is 1500-2000 Bt ($41-$55). Be sure to order the e-visa a week in advance, print out two actual sized copies, cut them out, and staple them inside your passport.

Cambodia E Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

Fill out the Thai departure card before your trip.

1a. From Bangkok: A/c bus to Trat. ~200+ baht, 5-6 hours.

1b. From Koh Chang: Boat from Koh Chang to Leam Ngop. Share taxi to Trat. Moto to bus station.

2. Take a van from Trat market to the Thai border town of Had Lek. Vans depart every 30 minutes or so and take about 1h30m to the border.

2. Take the van from the Trat bus station to Hat Lek, the Thai side of the border crossing. Vans leave every hour and the trip takes about 1 hour.

Be sure you have a ball point pen in your pocket for filling out arrival and departure cards.

3. Stamp out of Thailand. Walk to the Cambodian immigration station. to buy a visa and stamp in Get a Cambodian arrival/departure card and fill it out. They will try to tell you that you have to get your temperature taken and pay for a health certificate - it's a scam so ignore them or wave a sheet of yellow paper with some printing on it and tell them it is a health certificate. Put the "health certificate" away then present your arrival card and passport to the incoming Immigration window. Your e-visa gets you taken care of easily and quickly - ignore the touts trying to do it all for you because you will wind up spending money without any reason.

Drivers will approach you as soon as you come out of up to the immigration station. Prices into Koh Kong City 8 km away run about 100B for moto, $7-$8 for a tuk-tuk and $10 for private taxi into town

Along the river are the Asian and Koh Kong City hotels that offer AC & hot water shower rooms for $15-$35/night. Otto's is a good place for dinner and only a couple of blocks from the hotels- a nice walk.

Do NOT take a taxi or bus from Koh Kong unless you can get to your destination before nightfall. Cambodian roads are death traps during the day but 10 times worse after dark.

4. Travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by regularly scheduled daily bus or taxi. The road is paved and in fair condition. 4-5 hours with a rest/bathroom break.

PHNOM PENH to/from KOH KONG

Taxi Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.

You might get a car for $60 and a SUV for $75 but I guarantee they will try to cram in as many people as possible. Count heads to figure out what to pay.

Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c buses. $12-13 ($15/person last time I checked). About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart around 7:45AM and another at midday.

You can buy your bus ticket from the hotel clerk and they will arrange for a tuk tuk to pick you up in the morning and take you to the bus. Expect to pay $3-$5 for this service.

http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/ppintro.htm

Coming back go ahead and buy a bus ticket to the border then take the van to the Trat bus station. You should be able to get a full sized AC bus from the bus station to BKK.

There are no longer full sized buses from the Trat Bus station to Pattaya so just find the mini-bus/van from Hat Lek to Pattaya - be sure to wear the seat belt and be prepared for 2-3 hours of terror from the time the minibus/van approaches Rayong until you get out in Pattaya.

[fey]

Details: Bangkok to the Had Lek / KOH KONG crossing

1a. From Bangkok: A/c bus to Trat. ~200 baht, 5-6 hours.

1b. From Koh Chang: Boat from Koh Chang to Leam Ngop. Share taxi to Trat. Moto to bus station.

2. Take a van from Trat market to the Thai border town of Had Lek. Vans depart every 30 minutes or so and take about 1h30m to the border.

3. Stamp out of Thailand. Walk to the Cambodian immigration station to buy a visa and stamp in. Drivers will approach you as soon as you come out of the immigration station. Prices into Koh Kong City 8 km away run about 100B for moto, $7-$8 for a tuk-tuk and $10 for private taxi into town

4. Travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by regularly scheduled daily bus or taxi. The road is paved and in fair condition. 4-5 hours.

PHNOM PENH to/from KOH KONG

Taxi Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.

Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c buses. $12-13/person. About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart around 7:45AM and another at midday.

http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/ppintro.htm

save yourself the hassle and just fly, esp if you have valuables, laptop, etc. there is a thai embassy in pp.

bkk to pp or sr about $60 usd.

[Coyoti]

I have crossed the border at Hat Lek dozens of times to visit family in Koh Kong. What Asiantravel said on Dec. 19, is true with a couple of clarifications. The van from the bus station in Trat is 120 Baht to Hat Lek. It leaves when they have a full load of people (usually 11). That's more or less every hour, but I've had to wait much more than that. Once you've cleared Thai Immigration and walked to the Cambodia side they'll want to take your temperature (20 Baht cost). "Visa touts" will approach you to fill out the visa application. They used to want 100 Baht, but lately have been asking for more. They try to gouge you on the cost of the visa too. E-visa is the way to go if you can, but not totally necessary. I don't recommend trying to fill out the visa application yourself. I've done that thinking I'd save some, but in the end it took much longer as the touts seem to have direct access to the IO. It's easy to get from the border to Koh Kong where you can catch a bus. You can also get a ticket all the way to PP, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville at POP Resort near the market in downtown Trat (and elsewhere).

I find the trip from Koh Kong to either Penom Penh or Sihanoukville is always enjoyable and worth doing.

[thailanddogerator]

Is it easy to cross by car there ? Thanks.

[Coyoti]

Is it easy to cross by car there ? Thanks.

Yes, easy for Thai people. Not so sure about farang. You can get the authorization at the border. It's my understanding you need to be the owner of the car, have the ownership documents and Thai Drivers License. I think, but not sure, it costs 300 Baht. I was told the permit was good for a week, but don't quote me on that. I've been in a car crossing the border (but not as the driver). The IO made me get out and walk to the Cambodia side. Sorry about so many "not sures" here. Perhaps someone else has updated info?

[Asiantravel]

Details: Bangkok to the Had Lek / KOH KONG crossing

First, go on line and get a Cambodian e-visa to save you money and hassle. It will cost $40 vs the $30 you are supposed to be charged at the border. Of course the Cambodian Immigration officers will tell you that they don't accept US currency (a lie) and that the cost is 1500-2000 Bt ($41-$55). Be sure to order the e-visa a week in advance, print out two actual sized copies, cut them out, and staple them inside your passport.

Cambodia E Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

Fill out the Thai departure card before your trip.

1a. From Bangkok: A/c bus to Trat. ~200+ baht, 5-6 hours.

1b. From Koh Chang: Boat from Koh Chang to Leam Ngop. Share taxi to Trat. Moto to bus station.

2. Take a van from Trat market to the Thai border town of Had Lek. Vans depart every 30 minutes or so and take about 1h30m to the border.

2. Take the van from the Trat bus station to Hat Lek, the Thai side of the border crossing. Vans leave every hour and the trip takes about 1 hour.

Be sure you have a ball point pen in your pocket for filling out arrival and departure cards.

3. Stamp out of Thailand. Walk to the Cambodian immigration station. to buy a visa and stamp in Get a Cambodian arrival/departure card and fill it out. They will try to tell you that you have to get your temperature taken and pay for a health certificate - it's a scam so ignore them or wave a sheet of yellow paper with some printing on it and tell them it is a health certificate. Put the "health certificate" away then present your arrival card and passport to the incoming Immigration window. Your e-visa gets you taken care of easily and quickly - ignore the touts trying to do it all for you because you will wind up spending money without any reason.

Drivers will approach you as soon as you come out of up to the immigration station. Prices into Koh Kong City 8 km away run about 100B for moto, $7-$8 for a tuk-tuk and $10 for private taxi into town

Along the river are the Asian and Koh Kong City hotels that offer AC & hot water shower rooms for $15-$35/night. Otto's is a good place for dinner and only a couple of blocks from the hotels- a nice walk.

Do NOT take a taxi or bus from Koh Kong unless you can get to your destination before nightfall. Cambodian roads are death traps during the day but 10 times worse after dark.

4. Travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by regularly scheduled daily bus or taxi. The road is paved and in fair condition. 4-5 hours with a rest/bathroom break.

PHNOM PENH to/from KOH KONG

Taxi Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.

You might get a car for $60 and a SUV for $75 but I guarantee they will try to cram in as many people as possible. Count heads to figure out what to pay.

Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c buses. $12-13 ($15/person last time I checked). About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart around 7:45AM and another at midday.

You can buy your bus ticket from the hotel clerk and they will arrange for a tuk tuk to pick you up in the morning and take you to the bus. Expect to pay $3-$5 for this service.

http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/ppintro.htm

Coming back go ahead and buy a bus ticket to the border then take the van to the Trat bus station. You should be able to get a full sized AC bus from the bus station to BKK.

There are no longer full sized buses from the Trat Bus station to Pattaya so just find the mini-bus/van from Hat Lek to Pattaya - be sure to wear the seat belt and be prepared for 2-3 hours of terror from the time the minibus/van approaches Rayong until you get out in Pattaya.

" There are no longer full sized buses from the Trat Bus station to Pattaya "

incorrect ! There is still one (known as 99 bus and it's grey and orange colour) which departs Trat at 1 PM. I know because I came on it just a few weeks ago.

[Asiantravel]

My son is 18 with double nationality, Canadian and Thai. Last year he went by van from Trat to Siem Reap and they got rip off just before the border, the Thai driver stopped and asked for more money from all of them in the van.

They told him that they did not know that he was Thai, they said that their business was to make money with falangs and if they had known that he was Thai they would not have taken him. It was you pay or you stay here on the highway.

May I suggest that you fly instead or take the visa run bus from Bangkok.

what about if you want to stop off and spend a week in Koh Chang on the way back? I always do this but I would never even consider flying to Bangkok and then coming all the way back down to Trat to visit KC.

[Fairynuff]

Used to do the Poipet crossing quite often until the scams and the long queues got too much hassle. Used to be an enjoyable trip. Poipet is a horrible place. Now that airasia fly it's faster and much easier and often cheaper than doing it by taxi. No brainier IMO

[HarrySeaman]

Details: Bangkok to the Had Lek / KOH KONG crossing

First, go on line and get a Cambodian e-visa to save you money and hassle. It will cost $40 vs the $30 you are supposed to be charged at the border. Of course the Cambodian Immigration officers will tell you that they don't accept US currency (a lie) and that the cost is 1500-2000 Bt ($41-$55). Be sure to order the e-visa a week in advance, print out two actual sized copies, cut them out, and staple them inside your passport.

Cambodia E Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

Fill out the Thai departure card before your trip.

1a. From Bangkok: A/c bus to Trat. ~200+ baht, 5-6 hours.

1b. From Koh Chang: Boat from Koh Chang to Leam Ngop. Share taxi to Trat. Moto to bus station.

2. Take a van from Trat market to the Thai border town of Had Lek. Vans depart every 30 minutes or so and take about 1h30m to the border.

2. Take the van from the Trat bus station to Hat Lek, the Thai side of the border crossing. Vans leave every hour and the trip takes about 1 hour.

Be sure you have a ball point pen in your pocket for filling out arrival and departure cards.

3. Stamp out of Thailand. Walk to the Cambodian immigration station. to buy a visa and stamp in Get a Cambodian arrival/departure card and fill it out. They will try to tell you that you have to get your temperature taken and pay for a health certificate - it's a scam so ignore them or wave a sheet of yellow paper with some printing on it and tell them it is a health certificate. Put the "health certificate" away then present your arrival card and passport to the incoming Immigration window. Your e-visa gets you taken care of easily and quickly - ignore the touts trying to do it all for you because you will wind up spending money without any reason.

Drivers will approach you as soon as you come out of up to the immigration station. Prices into Koh Kong City 8 km away run about 100B for moto, $7-$8 for a tuk-tuk and $10 for private taxi into town

Along the river are the Asian and Koh Kong City hotels that offer AC & hot water shower rooms for $15-$35/night. Otto's is a good place for dinner and only a couple of blocks from the hotels- a nice walk.

Do NOT take a taxi or bus from Koh Kong unless you can get to your destination before nightfall. Cambodian roads are death traps during the day but 10 times worse after dark.

4. Travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by regularly scheduled daily bus or taxi. The road is paved and in fair condition. 4-5 hours with a rest/bathroom break.

PHNOM PENH to/from KOH KONG

Taxi Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.

You might get a car for $60 and a SUV for $75 but I guarantee they will try to cram in as many people as possible. Count heads to figure out what to pay.

Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c buses. $12-13 ($15/person last time I checked). About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart around 7:45AM and another at midday.

You can buy your bus ticket from the hotel clerk and they will arrange for a tuk tuk to pick you up in the morning and take you to the bus. Expect to pay $3-$5 for this service.

http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/ppintro.htm

Coming back go ahead and buy a bus ticket to the border then take the van to the Trat bus station. You should be able to get a full sized AC bus from the bus station to BKK.

There are no longer full sized buses from the Trat Bus station to Pattaya so just find the mini-bus/van from Hat Lek to Pattaya - be sure to wear the seat belt and be prepared for 2-3 hours of terror from the time the minibus/van approaches Rayong until you get out in Pattaya.

" There are no longer full sized buses from the Trat Bus station to Pattaya "

incorrect ! There is still one (known as 99 bus and it's grey and orange colour) which departs Trat at 1 PM. I know because I came on it just a few weeks ago.

I made the trip from Sihanoukville to Pattaya last week, Tues Dec. 8th.

It is roughly a 5 hour trip from Sihanoukville (or Phnom Penh) to the border by taxi. I left by taxi at 7 am and arrived at the border at about noon with a single bathroom stop along the way. Crossing the border and getting to Trat by minibus/van takes about 1.5-2 hours. This puts you at the Trat bus station after 1 pm unless you leave very early in the morning.

I asked at the bus station where they sell tickets to Pattaya and was told that there are no longer any full sized buses to Pattaya, only minibuses/vans. Of course there is no way to tell if they lied to me since it was about 1:30 at that time.

I took the next minibus/van, which left sometime around 2 or 2:30. The trip was fine until we got close to Rayong and got into traffic, then the driver became a typical insane Thai driver with no regard for life or limb. His only goal seemed to be to get ahead of anyone ahead of him by any means possible. I gave more than a few thanks to Buddha when we safely reached Pattaya.

[sammycic]

Fly to PP. quicker and cheaper in the long run.

and safer.

[sandyf]

Visa are not renewed.

In the UK if something expires and you buy a new one it is known as renewing.

People have to renew their TV licences every year.

[ubonjoe]

Visa are not renewed.

In the UK if something expires and you buy a new one it is known as renewing.

People have to renew their TV licences every year.

Not to me or even by definition. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/renew

[phuketrichard]

Is it easy to cross by car there ? Thanks.

Yes, easy for Thai people. Not so sure about farang. You can get the authorization at the border. It's my understanding you need to be the owner of the car, have the ownership documents and Thai Drivers License. I think, but not sure, it costs 300 Baht. I was told the permit was good for a week, but don't quote me on that. I've been in a car crossing the border (but not as the driver). The IO made me get out and walk to the Cambodia side. Sorry about so many "not sures" here. Perhaps someone else has updated info?

easy for Farang, did it last month; Car MUST be in ur name

never asked to show a drivers license-- no idea what your referring to the 300 baht??

u are asked to pay 100 baht /day to the Cambodian customs for every day u will keep the car in Cambodia,

Note DO NOT drive down Ekareach street in shv, u will be stopped and fined

[HarrySeaman]

Any Asian member driver's license is supposed to be valid in any other Asian country.

It is a long standing scam in Sihanoukville to stop barangs (foreign devils) on motorcycles (motos in Cambodia) and ask for either a Cambodian or International Driver's License. If you have an International Driver's License you are OK, if not you are fined even if you have a valid Thai driver's license.

If stopped don't argue, smile a lot and be jolly. Have a couple of one dollar bills all by themselves in one pocket. Take one dollar out and offer it. They will probably tell you the fine is more. Smile, offer them the second dollar, and ask for a selfie with the cop (hold up your Thai driver's license for the photo). Once they take the $2 tell any cop that stops you again that you have already paid, show them the selfie, and tell them to get the money from the cop who fined you before.

If they ask for more than $2 tell them you know your Thai (Asian) driver's license is valid so they should give you the ticket and you will talk to their boss at the police station. You can throw away the ticket or go argue with the police - up to you.

One perpetual stopping point is at the 2 Golden Lions Traffic Circle at the corner of Kakda Street. It is easy to avoid if you just avoid Kakda St. and stay on the inside of the traffic circle.

One is a couple of hundred meters from the 2 Golden Lions Traffic Circle on Ekareach St 100 toward downtown. Fortunately there is a turnoff to the left before the police check point. If you look at a map you will see where the turnoff is and how to take it to reach and return from the downtown area.

If you want to bring back any booze from Cambodia you can save a lot of money. I bought Grand Marnier for $18 a bottle vs 1890 Bt ($52) in Thailand. A one liter bottle of Bacardi White Rum was $11. If you like wine drink to your heart's content in Cambodia - it is cheap even compared to the US or Australia. If you can't find a very drinkable bottle of wine at the Savann Phnom Drink Shop or a supermarket for less than $5 you are too picky.

A good place to buy booze in Sihanoukville is the Savann Phnom Drink Shop, just a few doors East of the corner of Ekareach 100 and Street No. 107 (where the Caltex Station is located). Start with Google Maps to find the Caltex Station then go to Google Earth View at the corner then view the South side of the street as you move East a few shops on Ekareach 100 toward the 2 Lions Traffic Circle and you will see the shop.

You are legally able to bring back one bottle from Cambodia to Thailand but I have never been stopped by Customs when walking across the border at Hat Lek. Your experience may be different.

For lower cost drugs shop at the Pharmacie Kampongson Thmey. If you travel from Ekareach 100 on 7 Makara St (the corner with the Total gas station) it is on your right just before you reach the open air market. I saved $47 on just under 4 months of one med. and $10 on 40 x 100 mg Plasir brand Viagra tablets from India vs what I pay in Thailand for Indian Kamagra.

[BritTim]

Visa are not renewed. What new visa will he be applying for?

There are better choices to get a visa than Phnom Penh.

There are direct buses from Bangkok to PP. It is number 13 on this list: http://home.transport.co.th/index.php/th/2014-12-16-07-24-56/%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96/item/443-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A8-international-route.html

@ubonjoe - quick question: are tickets for these international buses (and trains for that matter) generally accepted by consulates wanting to see "confirmed flights" out of Thailand?

[ubonjoe]

Visa are not renewed. What new visa will he be applying for?

There are better choices to get a visa than Phnom Penh.

There are direct buses from Bangkok to PP. It is number 13 on this list: http://home.transport.co.th/index.php/th/2014-12-16-07-24-56/%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96/item/443-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A8-international-route.html

@ubonjoe - quick question: are tickets for these international buses (and trains for that matter) generally accepted by consulates wanting to see "confirmed flights" out of Thailand?

Normally they are not accepted.

[gk10002000]

Assuming you need a day or two for processing, I would suggest Bangkokbuddy travel. Fantastic lady Tanya. They have daily runs and I am sure they can arrange to let you go one day, but come back one or two days later. I know they have a standard 3 day later pickup for people that want a few days for casino or sight seeing.

[momtaz]

My son is 18 with double nationality, Canadian and Thai. Last year he went by van from Trat to Siem Reap and they got rip off just before the border, the Thai driver stopped and asked for more money from all of them in the van.

They told him that they did not know that he was Thai, they said that their business was to make money with falangs and if they had known that he was Thai they would not have taken him. It was you pay or you stay here on the highway.

May I suggest that you fly instead or take the visa run bus from Bangkok.

Thanks, I would advice my friend to take flight instead taking road vans,

[momtaz]

Details: Bangkok to the Had Lek / KOH KONG crossing

First, go on line and get a Cambodian e-visa to save you money and hassle. It will cost $40 vs the $30 you are supposed to be charged at the border. Of course the Cambodian Immigration officers will tell you that they don't accept US currency (a lie) and that the cost is 1500-2000 Bt ($41-$55). Be sure to order the e-visa a week in advance, print out two actual sized copies, cut them out, and staple them inside your passport.

Cambodia E Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

Fill out the Thai departure card before your trip.

1a. From Bangkok: A/c bus to Trat. ~200+ baht, 5-6 hours.

1b. From Koh Chang: Boat from Koh Chang to Leam Ngop. Share taxi to Trat. Moto to bus station.

2. Take a van from Trat market to the Thai border town of Had Lek. Vans depart every 30 minutes or so and take about 1h30m to the border.

2. Take the van from the Trat bus station to Hat Lek, the Thai side of the border crossing. Vans leave every hour and the trip takes about 1 hour.

Be sure you have a ball point pen in your pocket for filling out arrival and departure cards.

3. Stamp out of Thailand. Walk to the Cambodian immigration station. to buy a visa and stamp in Get a Cambodian arrival/departure card and fill it out. They will try to tell you that you have to get your temperature taken and pay for a health certificate - it's a scam so ignore them or wave a sheet of yellow paper with some printing on it and tell them it is a health certificate. Put the "health certificate" away then present your arrival card and passport to the incoming Immigration window. Your e-visa gets you taken care of easily and quickly - ignore the touts trying to do it all for you because you will wind up spending money without any reason.

Drivers will approach you as soon as you come out of up to the immigration station. Prices into Koh Kong City 8 km away run about 100B for moto, $7-$8 for a tuk-tuk and $10 for private taxi into town

Along the river are the Asian and Koh Kong City hotels that offer AC & hot water shower rooms for $15-$35/night. Otto's is a good place for dinner and only a couple of blocks from the hotels- a nice walk.

Do NOT take a taxi or bus from Koh Kong unless you can get to your destination before nightfall. Cambodian roads are death traps during the day but 10 times worse after dark.

4. Travel from Koh Kong to Sihanoukville by regularly scheduled daily bus or taxi. The road is paved and in fair condition. 4-5 hours with a rest/bathroom break.

PHNOM PENH to/from KOH KONG

Taxi Taxi About $75 for a private taxi.

You might get a car for $60 and a SUV for $75 but I guarantee they will try to cram in as many people as possible. Count heads to figure out what to pay.

Bus Several bus companies bus companies offer direct daily bus service between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh using full size a/c buses. $12-13 ($15/person last time I checked). About 5 hours duration. Most buses depart around 7:45AM and another at midday.

You can buy your bus ticket from the hotel clerk and they will arrange for a tuk tuk to pick you up in the morning and take you to the bus. Expect to pay $3-$5 for this service.

http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/ppintro.htm

Coming back go ahead and buy a bus ticket to the border then take the van to the Trat bus station. You should be able to get a full sized AC bus from the bus station to BKK.

There are no longer full sized buses from the Trat Bus station to Pattaya so just find the mini-bus/van from Hat Lek to Pattaya - be sure to wear the seat belt and be prepared for 2-3 hours of terror from the time the minibus/van approaches Rayong until you get out in Pattaya.

Many thanks, will recommend him to get flight better than this unpleasant adventurous trip

[momtaz]

Thanks to all of your replies guys,

traveling to Cambodia by land transportation it seems a hassle, unpleasant adventurous trip,

the main reason for this land trip was about to enjoy the traveling by road, just to enjoy the adventure nothing else,

As long as like this, I will strongly recommend my friend to get flight to avoid all these annoying things, easy an d short cut,

Thanks anyway for the informative replies, appreciated to all of you!

[Tomtomtom69]

Is it easy to cross by car there ? Thanks.

Yes, easy for Thai people. Not so sure about farang. You can get the authorization at the border. It's my understanding you need to be the owner of the car, have the ownership documents and Thai Drivers License. I think, but not sure, it costs 300 Baht. I was told the permit was good for a week, but don't quote me on that. I've been in a car crossing the border (but not as the driver). The IO made me get out and walk to the Cambodia side. Sorry about so many "not sures" here. Perhaps someone else has updated info?

Everything you have stated here is wrong.

It's as easy for "farang" as for Thais to cross in a Thai car. You need to be the owner of the vehicle and hold the original blue book. Local transport drivers sometimes just have a photocopy, but they aren't going far from the border.

The Thais will produce export paperwork allowing your vehicle to stay out of Thailand for 30 days before a fine is levied (1000 Baht per day, up to 10000 Baht max.).

There is no charge for processing these documents on the Thai side, whether on exit nor on re-entry.

The Cambodian side wants 100-150 a day and will tell you that you can't drive outside of Koh Kong province although there is nothing stopping you.

No need to walk to the Cambodian side, my wife got in the car with me and we drove the 100m or so to the Cambodian barrier before getting out. Similar story on the way back.

[BritTim]

I agree flying to Phnom Penh is better than doing it by land, unless you particularly want to stop off somewhere en route.

Note that it is usually cheapest to book a combined flight+hotel deal through Expedia or AirAsiaGO (they seem to use pretty much the same system).

If traveling by land, a casino bus to Rong Klea/Poi Pet (very early in the morning, about 4:30 am) is comfortable, gets you there before most of the scams are in full swing, and avoids the worst of the queues. There are then many reasonably priced morning buses from Poi Pet to Phnom Penh (or other places if you want to stop off on the way). You arrive late afternoon in Phnom Penh.

I detest the Hat Lek/Koh Kong border crossing. Avoiding scams and extra charges means you really are delayed, unlike at Poi Pet where they threaten you with delay but nothing really happens. At best, you still pay exorbitant taxi/moto fares at the border because of the mafia surcharge imposed on the drivers.

[jacksam]

I never understand these threads about using buses/roads to obtain visa. Air travel is so cheap. The other thing common in threads about visas is often seems to be left to last minute. Air is a lot more expensive if left to last minute.

OP if your friend does not like bars etc then better option would have been flight to Siem Reap. Ankor wat is not to be missed. An agent used would take care of visa. Best way in Cambodia.

He could of also flown to udon thani (cheap) and spent some time in loas obtaining setv at vientiane. Often one of the cheapest options airfare wise, is HCMC. Some will suggest Penang but its a straight out hole.

PP has very little. The killing fields are close. You can take tuk tuk.

Buses and land travel is just crazy

[phuketrichard]

getting a thai visa in sr he would need be up there at least 5 days

For many that is overkill

I prefer Penang ANY day to sr ( if sr did not have Angkor)

[buythisdashcam]

Hello,

To get an ordinary visa do you think that it's also better to let the touts fill the form and apply for you ?

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

Thank you.

I have crossed the border at Hat Lek dozens of times to visit family in Koh Kong. What Asiantravel said on Dec. 19, is true with a couple of clarifications. The van from the bus station in Trat is 120 Baht to Hat Lek. It leaves when they have a full load of people (usually 11). That's more or less every hour, but I've had to wait much more than that. Once you've cleared Thai Immigration and walked to the Cambodia side they'll want to take your temperature (20 Baht cost). "Visa touts" will approach you to fill out the visa application. They used to want 100 Baht, but lately have been asking for more. They try to gouge you on the cost of the visa too. E-visa is the way to go if you can, but not totally necessary. I don't recommend trying to fill out the visa application yourself. I've done that thinking I'd save some, but in the end it took much longer as the touts seem to have direct access to the IO. It's easy to get from the border to Koh Kong where you can catch a bus. You can also get a ticket all the way to PP, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville at POP Resort near the market in downtown Trat (and elsewhere).

I find the trip from Koh Kong to either Penom Penh or Sihanoukville is always enjoyable and worth doing.

[buythisdashcam]

Hello,

Is is easy to avoid this road at Sihanouk ? And they will fine you only on this road with Thailand plates ?

Thanks.

Is it easy to cross by car there ? Thanks.

Yes, easy for Thai people. Not so sure about farang. You can get the authorization at the border. It's my understanding you need to be the owner of the car, have the ownership documents and Thai Drivers License. I think, but not sure, it costs 300 Baht. I was told the permit was good for a week, but don't quote me on that. I've been in a car crossing the border (but not as the driver). The IO made me get out and walk to the Cambodia side. Sorry about so many "not sures" here. Perhaps someone else has updated info?

easy for Farang, did it last month; Car MUST be in ur name

never asked to show a drivers license-- no idea what your referring to the 300 baht??

u are asked to pay 100 baht /day to the Cambodian customs for every day u will keep the car in Cambodia,

Note DO NOT drive down Ekareach street in shv, u will be stopped and fined