Thailand - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 771

INTO CAMBODIA: ARANYAPRATHET
The most commonly used overland crossing into Cambodia from Thailand is at Poipet ,
which lies just across the border from the Thai town of Aranyaprathet , 210km due east of
Bangkok. It's best to arm yourself in advance with an e-visa for Cambodia (see p.67) and to
make the journey to Aranyaprathet by regular public transport, but it's also possible to buy a
ticket all the way through to Siem Reap and to get a thirty-day visa on arrival at the border,
though both of the latter options are more likely to open you up to the many scams on
this route , including a fake “Cambodian Consulate/Immigration” in Aranyaprathet and
rip-off currency exchange (it's not compulsory to buy riel before entering Cambodia, despite
what some touts may say).
Once you've walked across the border and entered Cambodia, it's about two hours in a taxi
or bus to Siem Reap, 150km away. If you have the deep misfortune of getting stuck in dusty,
dirty Aranyaprathet, where local transport comes in the form of tuk-tuks, try the comfortable
fan and a/c rooms at Inter Hotel at 108/7 Th Chatasingh ( T 037 231291, W ourweb.info
/interhotel; B300).
From Bangkok , you can travel to Aranyaprathet Station, 4km from the border post, by train
(2 daily; at least 6hr); you'll need to catch the 5.55am if you want to get across the border the
same day. Alternatively, take a bus from Bangkok's Northern (Mo Chit) Bus Terminal to
Aranyaprathet (at least hourly; 4hr 30min), or a faster, more expensive a/c minibus from Victory
Monument. There is now also a regular public bus from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal
through to Siem Reap (1 daily; 7hr).
To reach Aranyaprathet from east-coast towns, the easiest route is to take a bus from
Chanthaburi to the town of Sa Kaew , 130km to the northeast, and then change to one of
the frequent buses for the 55km ride east to Aranyaprathet.

10

way north - where it's possible to cross
overland into Cambodia (see box, p.778).

the main village of Na Dan and
half-a-dozen other stands around the
island. You'll generally be charged for
chartering the whole vehicle (around
B350, say, to go from Na Dan pier to Ao
Sang hian). Only if there's a large group
of people travelling, for example when
boats dock at Na Dan, will you get the
“shared” rates (B20-40/person).

KO SAMET
Pretty little Ko Samet attracts big crowds
these days, drawn mostly from Bangkok's
middle classes and expats, especially at
weekends and on national holidays.
Despite being declared a national park in
1981 (B200; payable at the checkpoint
near Hat Sai Kaew or at Ao Wong Duan
pier), a building ban has had little effect
and the island is now weighed down
with more than fifty sprawling, albeit
low-rise, resorts. he shady beaches,
however, are still blessed with squeaky
white sand, and there's plentiful plant
and animal life.
At just 6km long, the island's size means
you can easily walk to most destinations,
along the mostly well-marked paths that
link the east-coast beaches. here are also
motorbikes and quad bikes for rent on
every beach, though be warned that the
dirt road down the spine of the island,
joined by tracks to the beaches, is very
rough in places. Fleets of green
songthaews wait for fares at the pier in

The beaches
Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach), so called
after its beautiful long stretch of luxuriant
sand, lies on the south side of Na Dan
village, ten minutes' walk down the
village high street from the main pier. It's
the busiest beach on Samet, packed with
resorts and restaurants.
Separated from Hat Sai Kaew by a low
promontory, Ao Hin Kok has equally fine
sand. It's much smaller than its neighbour
and has more of a travellers' vibe, with
some backpacker-oriented budget choices
for accommodation.
Past the next rocky divide is Ao Phai ,
one of the livelier places to stay on the
island. By day, a relaxed beach-life
atmosphere pervades, but by night sleep
in the central part of the strand is elusive