Cambodia - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 474

GETTING TO THAILAND
Samraong to Surin
The O Smach/Chong Chom border crossing connects Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey Province and
Thailand's Surin Province.
Getting to the border Share taxis link Siem Reap with Samraong (30,000r, two hours) via NH68.
From Samraong, take a moto (US$5) or a charter taxi (US$15) for the smooth drive to O Smach
(40km, 30 minutes) and its frontier casino zone. A private taxi from Siem Reap all the way to the bor-
der should cost US$40 to US$50.
At the border The crossing itself is easy.
Moving on On the Thai side walk to the nearby bus stop, where regular buses depart to Surin
throughout the day (60B, 70km, 1½ hours).
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here
Pailin to Chanthaburi
The laid-back Psar Pruhn/Pong Nam Ron border crossing (open 7am to 8pm) is 102km southwest of
Battambang and 18km northwest of Pailin via rapidly improving roads.
Getting to the border From Battambang, the daily Ponleu Angkor Khmer and Rith Mony buses to
Pailin continue on to this border. Alternatively, take a share taxi to Pailin from Psar Leu in Battam-
bang, then continue to the border by moto (US$5) or private taxi (US$10). Patient travellers might get
a share taxi (6000r) to the border from opposite the main market in Pailin, but don't count on it.
At the border You actually pay the true price (US$20) for a Cambodian visa here - rare for a remote
crossing. Formalities are extremely straightfoward and quick on both sides.
Moving on Onward transport on the Thai side dries up mid-morning so cross early. In the morning
you should be able to find a motorcycle taxi (50B) to the nearby sŏrngtǎaou station, where two morn-
ing minibuses head to Chanthaburi (150B, 1½ hours). Otherwise, you're looking at a private taxi from
the border to Chanthaburi bus station (1200B), where you'll find frequent buses to Bangkok.
For more information about crossing this border in the other direction, Click here
Anlong Veng to Chong Sa-Ngam
The remote Choam/Chong Sa-Ngam crossing (open 7am to 8pm) connects Anlong Veng with Thail-
and's Si Saket Province.
Getting to the border A moto from Anlong Veng to the border crossing (16km) costs US$3 or US$4
(more like US$5 in the reverse direction).
At the border Formalities here are straightforward, but note that if you are coming in from Thailand
they charge a premium for Cambodian visas on arrival - US$25 instead of the normal US$20. Try to
talk them down to the normal rate.