Northern Thailand - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 863

GETTING TO CAMBODIA
Surin to Samraong
Getting to the border Because of Cambodia's casinos, there are plenty of minivans (60B, 1½ hours,
frequent) from Surin's bus terminal to the border at Chong Chom.
At the border The border is open from 7am to 8pm. Cambodian officials will try to get you to pay for
your visa in baht - usually 1000B. If you insist on paying in dollars you should be able to pay close to
the real price of US$20.
Moving on Taxis are readily available to take you to Siem Reap (1600B to 2500B, depending on your
negotiation skills, 2½ hours), or take a moto (US$5) to Samraong, where morning share taxis depart to
Siem Reap (US$7.50, two hours).
Chong Sa-Ngam to Anlong Veng
This border crossing in Sri Saket province sees very little traffic, despite the road to Siem Reap being
in excellent shape, because it can't be done by public transport.
Getting to the border Cambodian casinos occasionally run free shuttles to this border from a host of
Thai towns, including Ku Khan (45 minutes), Si Sa Ket (1¼ hours) and Kantharalak (1½ hours), but
schedules are sporadic. Otherwise, make your way by bus to Phusing, which is 30 minutes from the
border by taxi, motorcycle taxi or casino shuttle.
At the border The border is open from 7am to 8pm. Entering Cambodia, note that they charge a
premium for visas on arrival - US$25 instead of the normal US$20. You could try talking them down
to the normal rate.
Moving on Motos are readily available at the border to take you 16km to Anlong Veng (US$5, with
optional stops at the Khmer Rouge sites on the way). In Anlong Veng share taxis do the run to Siem
Reap (20,000r, 1½ hours).
For more information about crossing these borders in the other direction, Click here .
TOP OF CHAPTER
Surin & Around
044 / POP 42,000
A distinct Cambodian influence has long infiltrated the border into Surin, which was once
the western frontier of the Angkor kingdom and later a safe refuge for Cambodians flee-
ing conflict in their homeland. Today the province is known for elephants and silk weav-
ing, and the provincial capital of the same name is a good base for visiting nearby craft
villages and Khmer ruins.