Thinking about going to Siem Riep with the Mrs and Our 8 year daughter, I was planning to go via Aranyaprathet  and then grab a taxi and go straight there, is this a safe route to use roads etc, appreciate any advice from anyone who's done it recently.

 

Thanks

If you are not a Penny-Pincher then it should be a safe trip. The road from Poipet to Siem Reap is in a good condition and not that much traffic (though the Khmer driving habits still can be hair-raising). Expect to pay a Premium for the Taxi, as transport on the Cambodian side is controlled by Mafia, but it is still the safest option. Make sure to pay only when you reached your destination (same on the way back in case you take a Taxi from REP back to the border). They may not be happy about that or refuse your business first, but if you just walk away they will most likely miraculously agree on YOUR conditions.

Do not surrender to any Visa scammers on the Thai side, do all immigration procedures without any offered "assistance" (you may still need to pay the 100 Baht bribe per person at the Cambo immi if you insist on the proper Visa fee), after you exit the Cambodian immi, Transport options will find you faster than you will find them....

BTW, there is a decent through-Bus from Morchit to REP nowadays. It cost around 800 THB if they did not raise fares recently. Just in case.....

 

happy travel

Siam2007,

 

Thanks. I live in Rayong so I need to decide if I risk the Thai mini vans to the border and then go on from there, as  they scare the living bits out of Me,  or  dump the car at the border.

Incidentally how long does it take and is 2-3 days enough ? You mentioned not being a penny pincher, are You referring to all things in Cambodia, looking at 3 star hotels as they dont seem too expensive, however of they are awful I will go up a grade ??

28 minutes ago, Nickthegreek said:

Siam2007,

 

Thanks. I live in Rayong so I need to decide if I risk the Thai mini vans to the border and then go on from there, as  they scare the living bits out of Me,  or  dump the car at the border.

Incidentally how long does it take and is 2-3 days enough ? You mentioned not being a penny pincher, are You referring to all things in Cambodia, looking at 3 star hotels as they dont seem too expensive, however of they are awful I will go up a grade ??

 

 

I would say it is a good decision to avoid Minivans by any means. Only a few days ago I was stupid enough to enter such a metal coffin after many years avoiding it, as it was convenient from my location to get back to BKK from PTY.

The driver was a complete madman and must have swallowed tons of YABAA. After 30 seconds into the ride it was already clear that I would have to get off as quickly as possible as I still kinda value my life, and when he made the first stop at Ao Udom I jumped off the van. I then took a slow but safe Bus ride from Ao Udom as luckily the Bus stop was just a few meters away.

 

Back to your Cambo trip, if you leave from Rayong, I believe you could take the yellow Bus (operated by ROONG REUANG) that goes from Pattaya to Mukdahan, which stops at Aranyaprathet, it seems to run three times a day at the moment. probably at the main Bus station from where you can get to the border for around 80-100 Baht by TukTuk (I paid 80 Baht one year ago, but I was traveling alone). Not sure if that yellow Bus actually originates from Rayong but I am sure you could find that out when inquiring at Rayong Bus station or your wife could call Roong Reaung company.

here some info:  http://dpmac.com/angkor/trip-reports/07-07/13-pattaya-aran.html

As the journey is quite tiring (the crossing back into Thailand can be a nuisance with waiting time at Thai immigration easily 2hrs as it happened to me), I think 2-3 days is not enough. I would rather spend 4-5 days, particularly if you haven't seen Angkor Wat yet.

Yes hotels are incredibly cheap in REP during low season, you can get a decent 3-4 star with BF buffet for 25$ a night, though be prepared to encounter rude and uncivilized mainland Chinese tour groups - if you want to avoid that, book a small hotel where you will get a rather modest "set meal" as breakfast.

In general, the hotels in REP are great, the staff very friendly and obliging, and the standards decent. Chances are, you will never want to stay at a Thai hotel again after you have experienced the Khmer hospitality at REP (though PP is another story). Feel free to ask me if you want any recommendations (tell me your budget). I can say a word or two about more than 200 hotels there. Plus I can tell you where in REP to get the best SCHNITZELS of South-East Asia  ;-)

Edited October 7, 20169 yr by siam2007

Hi Siam 2007,

 

Thanks for all Your help and advice, one final question as I have not actually  left Thailand now for ten years !!, just not felt the need , however the Thai immigration issue,  is that due to visa status ? as I am married to a Thai, or purely the amount of people coming through ?

 

All other advice duly noted and I won't take the mini vans after Your further comments.

12 minutes ago, Nickthegreek said:

Hi Siam 2007,

 

Thanks for all Your help and advice, one final question as I have not actually  left Thailand now for ten years !!, just not felt the need , however the Thai immigration issue,  is that due to visa status ? as I am married to a Thai, or purely the amount of people coming through ?

 

All other advice duly noted and I won't take the mini vans after Your further comments.

 

 

the small Thai immigration building is notoriously overcrowded, and as 90% of those entering Thailand are Cambodians, and Thais think they are superior, they do not feel the need to upgrade their facilities. Usually people queue in long lines even outisde the actual building in the sweltering heat, or in the rain (and there is no roof as long as you have to wait outside). I did that 2 times in the past 3 years and it was a nuisance. Second time I left REP in a Taxi very early at 5 am, but that was even too late as scores of people were already mobbing the Thai immi building. The Cambo immigration is little more than a straw hut when leaving Cambo, but I was stamped out in less than 10 minutes. Only to wait 2 hrs on the Thai side.

And don't forget to obtain a re-entry permit from Rayong immi in case you r here based on a 1 year extension of stay

Edited October 7, 20169 yr by siam2007

This sort of worries Me with having My Daughter with Us too, there is another border crossing near Chantaburi not sure if they may be a safer /better option..or if its viable

Edited October 7, 20169 yr by Nickthegreek

Any Advice for going to Siem Reap via Aranyaprathet

 

.

Yes stay away from the girls in Poi Pet....it was number 1 for HIV now downgraded to 2nd in the world, thanks to some little town in Africa. last time I went-it was 7 years ago but I got a great deal from the travel agent on 2nd road opposite top of soi 7......gave us a van to the border, a van with guide to Siem Reap, 3 days including hotel all food at night--and a guide around Siem Reap, which is nice to have someone explaining it all to you, plus a pass to the temples (was $us20 then) there was 4 of us in the van, all friends so we took it over, as we didn't want to see the death camps and big piles of sculls etc from war. Just done more temples.

7,000 baht each-- It was 7 years ago but check the Pattaya Travel agents out they usually do have some good deals, & its great being taken to the place, and driven around as its quite spaced out. Have to look at getting there getting back etc.

.

Some wonderful stuff there----I do wish they would protect it better, people are putting their hands on the carvings (millions of them) with the sweat etc.

Have a look at the pink temple all built by women---and of course everyone wants their photo taken at the Laura Croft (tomb raiders ) temple.  It is quite amazing though---- I wonder what they thought when they started to clear away by that tree, and went down and down until the tree sits on the roof with all the roots running down the walls.

Edited October 7, 20169 yr by sanuk711

MY advice,fly.....u will enjoy joy the trip so much more