Is it Practical to Drive to Poipet?

[ftpjtm]

I am wondering if it is practical and safe to drive to Poipet from Thailand (Pattaya area). The idea would be to stay overnight at a casino. 

 

Is it possible to cross the border in a Thai licensed car?

 

Does border control routinely allow Thai cars through without extreme scrutiny/formalities? 

 

Is it safe to park overnight at a major casino car park? 

 

Any idea if typical Thai car insurance policies cover losses/damage in Cambodia? 

 

I know there are lots of mini vans providing transportation to the area, but prefer to self drive if it's possible, practical and there is a good chance my car will be intact in the morning. 

[melvinmelvin]

If your goal is the casinos drive to Aran stay in one of many resorts close to the border and walk across the casino of your choice

 

Safe.?

Yes wovld say so

[Maejo Man]

Been a few years since I drove my car into Poipet, but really can't see the point if it's just to visit a casino. If you are going to drive on to Siam Reap, well that's another story.

 Why not stay in Arunyaprataet and walk across, and stay the night if the fancy takes you?

[Spaniel]

You will have two options.     If you are staying at the casino that is located on the border I think you can just drive into their parking lot, then go thru the immigration procedures then on to the hotel.     That way you don't actually drive into Poipet but technically you're in Cambodia.      Or you can do what I did a couple of years ago.     We were on our way to Seam Reap.      About 100 meters before you come to Thai Immigration, on the right side,  there is a large secure parking lot where you can park your car.

We left our car there for 4 days and I think they charged around B80 per day.      Best to check with whatever casino you're staying at ankd ask about parking.      Either way, hotel lot or the private lot both very secure.

[ross163103]

Better to park in the secure parking on the Thai side and walk over the border. As one poster mentioned; unless you're going farther into Cambodia no need to take your car in. I used to do border runs back when it was accepted and never had an issue with walking over; the casinos are actually before the Cambodian immigration office.

[ftpjtm]

3 hours ago, ross163103 said:

Better to park in the secure parking on the Thai side and walk over the border. As one poster mentioned; unless you're going farther into Cambodia no need to take your car in. I used to do border runs back when it was accepted and never had an issue with walking over; the casinos are actually before the Cambodian immigration office.

Sounds like the sensible thing to do. 

 

If I have a 6 month ME visa, will crossing over to the casinos and back count as an exit/re-entry? 

[ftpjtm]

3 hours ago, Spaniel said:

You will have two options.     If you are staying at the casino that is located on the border I think you can just drive into their parking lot, then go thru the immigration procedures then on to the hotel.     

What is the casino name? 

[bangkokairportlink]

Why poipet ? The worst border with cambodia. There are a lot better borders with casino.

 

 

[ftpjtm]

29 minutes ago, bangkokairportlink said:

Why poipet ? The worst border with cambodia. There are a lot better borders with casino.

 

 

Looking for one close to Sattahip/Pattaya area. Is there a better option? 

[bangkokairportlink]

2 hours ago, ftpjtm said:

Looking for one close to Sattahip/Pattaya area. Is there a better option? 

 

Yes

BORDER CHONG CHOM / OSMACH CAMBODIA

https://goo.gl/cLrCZi

 

BORDER HAD LEK / CHAM YEAM CAMBODIA

https://goo.gl/XMwVVX

 

BORDER BAN LAEM/DAUNG - Ban Laem/Daun Lem

https://goo.gl/wB9bjq

 

BORDER BAN PAKARD/PHSAR PRUM - Ban Pakkard Ban Phak Kat/Phrom

https://goo.gl/dcxkV2

 

 

All with 24 hours safe car park to park your car, 24 hours security, 80 thb a day.

 

You can cross with your car at 2 of these 4 borders.

BORDER CHONG CHOM / OSMACH CAMBODIA

BORDER HAD LEK / CHAM YEAM CAMBODIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[craigt3365]

7 hours ago, ftpjtm said:

Looking for one close to Sattahip/Pattaya area. Is there a better option? 

What's the purpose of your trip?  Doing a border run or just visiting a casino?

[ftpjtm]

6 hours ago, bangkokairportlink said:

 

Yes

BORDER CHONG CHOM / OSMACH CAMBODIA

https://goo.gl/cLrCZi

 

BORDER HAD LEK / CHAM YEAM CAMBODIA

https://goo.gl/XMwVVX

 

BORDER BAN LAEM/DAUNG - Ban Laem/Daun Lem

https://goo.gl/wB9bjq

 

BORDER BAN PAKARD/PHSAR PRUM - Ban Pakkard Ban Phak Kat/Phrom

https://goo.gl/dcxkV2

 

 

All with 24 hours safe car park to park your car, 24 hours security, 80 thb a day.

 

You can cross with your car at 2 of these 4 borders.

BORDER CHONG CHOM / OSMACH CAMBODIA

BORDER HAD LEK / CHAM YEAM CAMBODIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are there casinos at all of those border crossings? 

[ftpjtm]

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

What's the purpose of your trip?  Doing a border run or just visiting a casino?

Main purpose is to visit a casino, would be interested in visiting the nicest casino with best accommodation, food etc. 

 

But if a border run @ 60 days on a 6 month ME visa could be accomplished simultaneously, that would be a plus. 

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, ftpjtm said:

Main purpose is to visit a casino, would be interested in visiting the nicest casino with best accommodation, food etc. 

 

But if a border run @ 60 days on a 6 month ME visa could be accomplished simultaneously, that would be a plus. 

I do believe there is a casino across from Mukdahan also.  You can fly there and cross the border easily.  Personally, I find the drive to Poipet boring with some pretty crazy drivers.  Last trip, we were literally run off the road by an oncoming bus.  If you do go, don't drive at night!

 

Cheap flights to Macau also!  Lovely place to visit. 

 

Seems there is a casino at Koh Kong.  I went there last year.  Relatively easy drive, nice roads, easy parking at the border, easy crossing (relatively), and Koh Kong seemed like an OK small town.  We continued on, so didn't spend the night there.  It's a fairly quiet border crossing.

 

https://www.casinosavenue.com/en/maps/globalSearch/?country=cambodia&idCountry=22&page=1

 

https://www.casinosavenue.com/en/casino/koh-kong-resort-casino/6531

 

[Keesters]

Driven it many times during the UNTAC years. Can't be any worse than it was then surely.