Cambodia Hat Lek parking my car.

[Linden]

Can anybody tell me if there are car ppark facilities in no mans land at

Ban laem or

hat Lek Cambodia border crossings

There is at Poipet and I have parked there when Cambodian border has not allowed me to drive into Cambodia.Just wondering if I fail is there a car park there I have not yet been across any of these borders.

Is there any casinos in no mans land as they would have a car park

Thanks in advance

[Sheryl]

Moving this to the Cambodia forum.

There are no Casinos at Ban Laem but there are at nearby Ban Pakkard crossing (which is also a nicer crossing).

If your desire is to drive into Cambodia, several TV members have done so at both Hat Lek and Ban Pakkard crossings, see these threads:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873367-thai-dlt-gave-me-a-car-passport-for-cambodia-travel/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846291-what-is-the-latest-info-regarding-taking-a-thai-car-across-to-cambodia-via-chong-chomosmach/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820211-driving-into-cambodia-official-transit-which-travel-agency-to-contact-regarding-permits/?hl=%2Bban+%2Bpakkard

I plan to drive through Ban Pakkard myself next month.

[phuketrichard]

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

[Sheryl]

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

Da_n, just went and got the purple "passport" too...

I thought you have posted in the past of crossing several times there?

This is a big problem as I can't go through either O'smach or Hat Lek. Ban Pakkard or Ban Laem are the only crossings remotely near my destination in Camb.

Any idea re Ban Laem?

[phuketrichard]

purple car passport is ONLY for Laos.

I have never said u can enter at Ban Packard as u cant,

u can EXIT there

ONLY can enter with Thai car O'smach or Hat Lek

[Tomtomtom69]

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

Well that must be new because as of March 2014, I spotted dozens upon dozens of Thai registered cars all over Pailin, from the casino area at the border all the way to Ban Laem.

Ban Laem does not let in Thai or Cambodian cars at all (except cars driven by border officials), so any Thai cars on the Cambo side of the border came from Ban Pakkard, around 25 odd km away.

Although it's a bit pricey but another option is to get a travel agency to apply for your permits to enter Cambodia at either crossing. When I went a few months back, took only a matter of days to get the permission, definitely not 3 months. I also only applied about a week before crossing. The only thing the travel agency told me was no Poipet entry. Because they will want a carnet or US$10,000 deposit in lieu of a carnet.

One would think that with AEC starting tomorrow, Thai cars should be given free reign to enter Cambodia everywhere starting either tomorrow or on Jan 1. Same for Cambo cars heading in the other direction. However, that may just be wishful thinking.

Edited December 30, 2015 by Tomtomtom69

[Tomtomtom69]

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

Da_n, just went and got the purple "passport" too...

I thought you have posted in the past of crossing several times there?

This is a big problem as I can't go through either O'smach or Hat Lek. Ban Pakkard or Ban Laem are the only crossings remotely near my destination in Camb.

Any idea re Ban Laem?

As I said in my other reply, as of last year Ban Pakkard was letting in plenty of Thai cars. Ban Laem however wasn't letting in anyone. Sounds like Phuketrichard has been there more recently, given how sure he seems that they won't let you in there now.

I would second his opinion that Had Lek and Chong Chom are the places to enter, BUT you could always try Ban Pakkard just in case. Especially if you are only going to Pailin. If you do manage to enter, make sure you tell them you will not leave Pailin and come back the same way. I guess even if you don't, it doesn't matter, but you need to tell them what they want to hear.

[Tomtomtom69]

Anyway to answer the OPs question -

YES there is parking at both borders.

At Ban Laem, it was free when I went. I only parked for a few hours, but I'm sure there's no difference if you stay a few days unless the system has since changed.

At Ban Hat Lek, parking costs 200 Baht/day right next to the border on the outbound side. I did not identify any other places to park, but perhaps you might find something a little cheaper slightly further away from the crossing. The car park at Ban Hat Lek identifies itself as the "casino car park" although in reality, the casino is on the Cambodian side a couple of hundred meters away and you would need permission from the Thai authorities to take your car over there (but apparently no permission from the Cambodians to enter). In effect, your car would be in no man's land but technically inside Cambodia.

[Linden]

Tomtomtom69

Thank you for the info my next trip out will be via Hat Lek If any problem after checking out of Thailand eg. a refusal of entry into Cambodia for my car. It can be parked in no mans land kind off. It will be out of Thailand and so will I.

On return after my PP. Visa trip I can pay the 200 baht / day car park fee and then check into thailand

I have done this at Poipet as I said before but never seen any other border crossings I was unaware of the parking situation.Didnt want the "Big Problem" stuff trying to come back into Thailand to park the car inside Thailand if I was unsuccessful to enter Cambodia.

Aware of the required paperwork aware of the legalities of going into Cambodia yes I am.

The mood of the person that has the yes or no decision at any border I am aware it can change so very aware even paranoid.

[phuketrichard]

When u enter Cambodia you will be asked to pay 100 baht for every day ur going to keep the car in Cambodia,

they will also take ur Thai temp export papers an issue u a red plastic Khmer tag.

Once they take ur temp export paper u are in Cambodia, there is NO NO MANS land there TOMTOM

I just entered there last month and drove to Shv an Kep

You will NOT be turned away.

do not drive down Ekareach street in shv u will be stopped and fined, the rest of the country they don't care

[Tomtomtom69]

When u enter Cambodia you will be asked to pay 100 baht for every day ur going to keep the car in Cambodia,

they will also take ur Thai temp export papers an issue u a red plastic Khmer tag.

Once they take ur temp export paper u are in Cambodia, there is NO NO MANS land there TOMTOM

I just entered there last month and drove to Shv an Kep

You will NOT be turned away.

do not drive down Ekareach street in shv u will be stopped and fined, the rest of the country they don't care

At Koh Kong there is technically 100m or so of no man's land. There is also a way of accessing the casino by taking the right fork and avoiding immigration. I've never been in there but I know for a fact that Thai registered casino vehicles head in there all the time and they don't do any paperwork, neither for the car nor for the drivers of said vehicles.

I would NOT however recommend parking there if you're not going to be bringing your car further inside Cambodia. Since you will need to do the export paperwork anyway, it seems pointless to do all that only to drive 200m inside Cambodia to park your car. Also, I am not sure about the security of keeping a car parked in a random place in Cambodia, I don't think it would be safe.

If the OP does want to drive into Cambodia, as you have correctly stated, at Koh Kong he will be allowed entry and will need to pay the fees as you have mentioned. However, if for whatever reason he still prefers to park his vehicle at the border, the 200 B/day "casino" car park next to Thai immigration is his best option and very safe.

[Sheryl]

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

Da_n, just went and got the purple "passport" too...

I thought you have posted in the past of crossing several times there?

This is a big problem as I can't go through either O'smach or Hat Lek. Ban Pakkard or Ban Laem are the only crossings remotely near my destination in Camb.

Any idea re Ban Laem?

As I said in my other reply, as of last year Ban Pakkard was letting in plenty of Thai cars. Ban Laem however wasn't letting in anyone. Sounds like Phuketrichard has been there more recently, given how sure he seems that they won't let you in there now.

I would second his opinion that Had Lek and Chong Chom are the places to enter, BUT you could always try Ban Pakkard just in case. Especially if you are only going to Pailin. If you do manage to enter, make sure you tell them you will not leave Pailin and come back the same way. I guess even if you don't, it doesn't matter, but you need to tell them what they want to hear.

I'm not sure his experience is more recent, but I don't want to risk it especially since we don't know the circumstances around those cars that you've seen getting in. (though I am indeed going just a little further than Pailin).

A hassle, but I guess I'll just have to cross on foot at Poipet and get a taxi from there. Means at least an hour more traveling time and of course not as convenient as taking my own car.

[Tomtomtom69]

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

Da_n, just went and got the purple "passport" too...

I thought you have posted in the past of crossing several times there?

This is a big problem as I can't go through either O'smach or Hat Lek. Ban Pakkard or Ban Laem are the only crossings remotely near my destination in Camb.

Any idea re Ban Laem?

As I said in my other reply, as of last year Ban Pakkard was letting in plenty of Thai cars. Ban Laem however wasn't letting in anyone. Sounds like Phuketrichard has been there more recently, given how sure he seems that they won't let you in there now.

I would second his opinion that Had Lek and Chong Chom are the places to enter, BUT you could always try Ban Pakkard just in case. Especially if you are only going to Pailin. If you do manage to enter, make sure you tell them you will not leave Pailin and come back the same way. I guess even if you don't, it doesn't matter, but you need to tell them what they want to hear.

I'm not sure his experience is more recent, but I don't want to risk it especially since we don't know the circumstances around those cars that you've seen getting in. (though I am indeed going just a little further than Pailin).

A hassle, but I guess I'll just have to cross on foot at Poipet and get a taxi from there. Means at least an hour more traveling time and of course not as convenient as taking my own car.

I'm 100% certain they came in via Ban Pakkard. Both Thai and Cambo immigration/customs at Ban Laem confirmed this when I asked. Since none of them were leaving Pailin, there was no problem with them entering.

EDIT. I wonder why you don't just go to Ban Pakkard, seeing that you are heading to somewhere a little further than Pailin, see if you will be allowed entry with your car and if not, then you park at Ban Pakkard and take a taxi to your destination? Wouldn't that be more efficient? Since the distance from the border to Pailin is a mere 25km and from there to wherever you're going doesn't sound like it's much further away, you will be able to answer the question of whether your car can enter at Ban Pakkard/Prom these days and if not, you'll still not be too far from your destination. I know that's what I'd do if I was you.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Tomtomtom69

[Sheryl]

I am considering this. Main concern is that my car is old and battery will die if not started up regularly. Not a problem if I drive in but an issue if I end up parking there.

One sees Thai cars entering at Poipet too but if u try it is a resounding "no"...rules get waived for some people and not for others and might be same at Ban Pakkard. We don't know who these people are and why/how they were allowed in but fact that some are doesn't mean I necessarily will be.

Main worry is the battery issue though.

[phuketrichard]

disconnect it

[Sheryl]

Why didn't I think of that?

[Tomtomtom69]

I am considering this. Main concern is that my car is old and battery will die if not started up regularly. Not a problem if I drive in but an issue if I end up parking there.

One sees Thai cars entering at Poipet too but if u try it is a resounding "no"...rules get waived for some people and not for others and might be same at Ban Pakkard. We don't know who these people are and why/how they were allowed in but fact that some are doesn't mean I necessarily will be.

Main worry is the battery issue though.

The only way you'll know is if you go there and find out...

At Poipet, the only Thai cars that enter (and there are very, very few that do) tend to be associated with the casinos and/or belong to immigration/customs officials. There is no problem entering the casino zone no man's land with a Thai car, but whether or not you will be allowed beyond that is a different story. In general, you don't see Thai cars beyond the no man's land - last time I was there I saw one Chonburi registered pickup but it was heading back towards Thailand as I was. Only trucks and buses go beyond there, but they are allowed to enter as part of an official bilateral agreement.

At Ban Pakkard, I would be surprised if all the cars I saw all the way up to Pailin would have been associated with Thai immigration/customs. Very, very unlikely as I saw I dunno, 30 Thai cars all the way from Prom to Pailin and even Ban Laem. I have a keen eye for these things and know what I saw. They were private vehicles, many of them from neighboring Chantaburi province.

They were allowed in, with the proviso that they don't leave Pailin. Maybe that has changed now, maybe. But as of 2014 that's the way it was.

On a related note, today is supposed to be the start of AEC.

However, I have not heard anything to suggest that will mean open borders for vehicles. Most likely nothing will change.

On the battery issue, just disconnect it as Phuketrichard has said.

[Sheryl]

Are the Casinos in Ban Pakkard located before Cambodian customs? (so that i can park there if they refuse to let the car through)?

And a safe bet for long term parking? Old though my car is I do need it to be there when I return and i will be away some 8-9 days.

[Tomtomtom69]

Are the Casinos in Ban Pakkard located before Cambodian customs? (so that i can park there if they refuse to let the car through)?

And a safe bet for long term parking? Old though my car is I do need it to be there when I return and i will be away some 8-9 days.

Unfortunately, just afterwards, but within walking distance of the Cambodian checkpoint.

Long term parking should be easy to find near immigration on the Thai side of the border.

​If you do get refused, I would imagine it would be very easy to go back to the Thai side, park your car and then walk back to the Cambo side, get your passport stamped and proceed from there. Taxis should be available just after immigration/customs.

[Sheryl]

I've been there twice recently, and did not see any parking near the Thai immigration area.

Much as I'd like to contribute info on the actual situation re cars in Ban Pakkard this is not a trip where I want to risk problems, and going via Poipet will add less than an hour to the trip, so that's what I have decided on.

(Sampov Luon crossing would be the quickest but AFAIK foreigners are nto allowed to cross there.)

[Tomtomtom69]

I've been there twice recently, and did not see any parking near the Thai immigration area.

Much as I'd like to contribute info on the actual situation re cars in Ban Pakkard this is not a trip where I want to risk problems, and going via Poipet will add less than an hour to the trip, so that's what I have decided on.

(Sampov Luon crossing would be the quickest but AFAIK foreigners are nto allowed to cross there.)

Well that doesn't help us now then. So we're back to square one. No concrete answers.

Doesn't matter. I'll do a search in Thai and I'm sure I can find out something perhaps on Pantip or something. At least I can read and write Thai, unlike 99.9% of Thai visa users.

BTW within weeks 4-6 new Thai-Cambo border crossings are said to open. At least one of them is also in Aranyaprathet district.

[amjamj]

On 12/29/2015 at 7:25 PM, Sheryl said:

Moving this to the Cambodia forum.

There are no Casinos at Ban Laem but there are at nearby Ban Pakkard crossing (which is also a nicer crossing).

If your desire is to drive into Cambodia, several TV members have done so at both Hat Lek and Ban Pakkard crossings, see these threads:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873367-thai-dlt-gave-me-a-car-passport-for-cambodia-travel/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846291-what-is-the-latest-info-regarding-taking-a-thai-car-across-to-cambodia-via-chong-chomosmach/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820211-driving-into-cambodia-official-transit-which-travel-agency-to-contact-regarding-permits/?hl=%2Bban+%2Bpakkard

I plan to drive through Ban Pakkard myself next month.

 

 

BAN PAKARD nicer crossing ?

It looks like we are in the middle of nowhere and when it's raining it looks like a rice field !

 

BAN LAEM is just very nice, clean, with nice people and no problem at all.

 

But do you know where Thai can cross with only an ID card ? Not at BAN LAEM and BAN PAKARD for sure !

 

Thanks.

 

Laurent cafe at Koh kong is not French and there is no French involved.

 

Anybody knows where a Thai can cross into Cambodia with only an ID card ? Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[amjamj]

On 12/30/2015 at 10:59 AM, phuketrichard said:

Ban Pakard will NOT allow u to drive in unless u apply for and receive permission in advance which takes up to 3 months and not easy to obtain.

ur only allowed in at Hat Lek and Osmach with a thai car

Casino is IN Cambodia at Hat lek not no mans land

 

 

TRUE ! no crossing at BAN PAKARD but ok at BAN LAEM.

 

 

[amjamj]

On 12/30/2015 at 3:59 PM, Tomtomtom69 said:

Well that must be new because as of March 2014, I spotted dozens upon dozens of Thai registered cars all over Pailin, from the casino area at the border all the way to Ban Laem.

Ban Laem does not let in Thai or Cambodian cars at all (except cars driven by border officials), so any Thai cars on the Cambo side of the border came from Ban Pakkard, around 25 odd km away.

Although it's a bit pricey but another option is to get a travel agency to apply for your permits to enter Cambodia at either crossing. When I went a few months back, took only a matter of days to get the permission, definitely not 3 months. I also only applied about a week before crossing. The only thing the travel agency told me was no Poipet entry. Because they will want a carnet or US$10,000 deposit in lieu of a carnet.

One would think that with AEC starting tomorrow, Thai cars should be given free reign to enter Cambodia everywhere starting either tomorrow or on Jan 1. Same for Cambo cars heading in the other direction. However, that may just be wishful thinking.

 

 

No car crossing at BAN PAKARD.

 

 

[bberrythailand]

On 12/29/2015 at 7:25 PM, Sheryl said:

Moving this to the Cambodia forum.

There are no Casinos at Ban Laem but there are at nearby Ban Pakkard crossing (which is also a nicer crossing).

If your desire is to drive into Cambodia, several TV members have done so at both Hat Lek and Ban Pakkard crossings, see these threads:

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/873367-thai-dlt-gave-me-a-car-passport-for-cambodia-travel/

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846291-what-is-the-latest-info-regarding-taking-a-thai-car-across-to-cambodia-via-chong-chomosmach/

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/820211-driving-into-cambodia-official-transit-which-travel-agency-to-contact-regarding-permits/?hl=%2Bban+%2Bpakkard

I plan to drive through Ban Pakkard myself next month.

 

Hi,

 

I think both Ban laem and pakard have casino now ?

 

Do you know how long someone can stay in Cambodia with a Thai car  before having to cross the border again ?

 

Actually can you live almost full time in Cambodia is you cross regularly ?

 

Thank you.

[Sheryl]

1. When I was last there (a year and a half ago now) I did not see any casino at Ban Laem,  but possible one opened since, don't know.

 

2. I don't know if there is a maximum time period or not, wait for others to respond. . But I think you have to pay per day.

 

3. I don't understand the question. You can live long term in Cambodia if you get annual one year visas. If living in Cambodia, you would do well to buy a car there, used cars are much less expensive in Camb than in Thailand plus will have the wheel on the correct side. You would not want to be living in Cambodia near these border crossings, there's nothing there.

[phuketrichard]

THE biggest problem with living in Cambodia if u like visiting thailand is ur ONLY allowed 2 land border visa exempt crossings/year!!

 

Koh Kong is building and not bad with some nice islands off shore and it would be nice to live there, IF you could do monthly trips to Trat for shopping.:

 

IF ur going to live in Cambodia buy a LHD car with Khmer tags and u can get insurance ( need Cambodian license as well)

i lived in Cambodia for 6 months one year with my Thai car, passing was a a pain  LOL

Legally a thai car can only stay outside thailand for 30 days but they really don't care.

 

There is NO 1 YEAR VISA,  there is a one year EXTENSION.

[bberrythailand]

Hello,

 

With an Elite visa in Thailand and an extended ordinary visa in Cambodia it's very easy to live on both side and cross as often as I want.

 

I guess that if I start a new business in Cambodia I will cross to Thailand often, but just in case the car stays in Cambodia for months, you confirm that they don't care.

 

Yes I agree that Koh kong is nice and not far from Sihanoukville for some adventure.

 

And no, I do not think that German cars are cheaper in Cambodia side than Thai side, so I will keep mine :-)

 

So the biggest and only real problem seems to be that Thai car cannot get insurance in Cambodia.

 

Thank you.

Edited August 9, 2017 by bberrythailand

[bberrythailand]

I do not think that Cambodian casino are located on no mans land, they are in Cambodia, after nomansland.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2017 by bberrythailand

[phuketrichard]

u paid 500,000baht to live in thailand 5 years??

I prefer to pay only 1,900/year for my 1 year extension       LOL

yep if u have that kind of cash get a 1 year Cambodian extension for $280-290
 

Quote

but just in case the car stays in Cambodia for months, you confirm that they don't care.

 

BUT if u enter at KK u pay 100 baht/day ur car is in Cambodia

and IF ur in a accident  ur royally  F#@ked

IF u get a upset thai customs official they can fine  you, if u rr car is out more than 30days, I have been lucky the 3 times i was way over 30 days but wont say u will be as lucky

 

Do NOT drive ur thai tagged car on Ekareach street in SHV, u WILL be stopped an fined ( rest of the country no problem)