South Coast - Cambodia - page 322

GETTING TO THAILAND: KOH KONG CITY TO TRAT

Getting to the border The Cham Yeam/Hat Lek border crossing , between Cambodia's Koh Kong
and Trat in Thailand, is popular with travellers linking the beaches of Cambodia and Thailand. It of-
fers connections from Bangkok, Ko Samet and Ko Chang to the Cardamom Mountains, Sihanoukville
and Phnom Penh. Leaving Cambodia, take a taxi (US$10 plus toll) or moto (US$3 plus toll) from Koh
Kong across the toll bridge to the border. Once in Thailand, catch a minibus to Trat, from where there
are regular buses to Bangkok.
At the border Departing Cambodia via the Hat Lek border is actually pretty straightforward, as there
are no visa scams for immigration to benefit from. Coming in the other direction and arriving in Cam-
bodia via Hat Lek is a bit of a nightmare, as visa overcharging is common - up to 1000B or more than
US$30. Avoid this problem by arranging an online e-visa in advance of travel.
Moving on From the Hat Lek border, take a minibus straight to Trat (120B). From here there are regu-
lar buses to Bangkok (from 225B, five to six hours) heading to the Thai capital's Eastern or North and
Northeastern bus stations. Buses depart regularly from 6am until 11.30pm. Anyone heading to the
nearby island of Koh Chang can arrange onward transport in Trat.

Information

MEDICAL SERVICES
In a medical emergency, evacuation to Thailand via the Cham Yeam/Hat Lek border
crossing is possible 24 hours a day. In Thailand there's a hospital in Trat, 92km from the
border.

24hr) Has doctors who Sen Sok Clinic ( 012 555060; [e-mail]; St 3, cnr St 5;

speak English and French.

MONEY
Thai baht are widely used so there's no urgent need to change baht into dollars or riel. To
do so, use one of the many mobile-phone shops around Psar Leu.

8am-3.30pm Mon-Fri, to 11.30am Sat) ATM accepts Visa cards. Acleda Bank (cnr Sts 3 & 5;

Canadia Bank (St 1; 8am-3.30pm Mon-Fri, to 11.30am Sat) The ATM here accepts most inter-
national plastic and there's no local charge for withdrawals.

TOURIST INFORMATION
Guesthouses, hotels and pubs are the best places to get the local low-down. You can also
look for the free Koh Kong Visitors Guide ( www.koh-kong.com ) , which is mostly advert-
isements.