Northwestern Cambodia - Cambodia - page 485

GETTING TO THAILAND: POIPET TO ARANYA PRATHET
Getting to the border The original land Poipet/Aranya Prathet border crossing ( 7am-8pm)
between Cambodia and Thailand is by far the busiest and the one most people take when travelling
between Bangkok and Siem Reap. It has earned itself a bad reputation over the years, with scams
galore to help tourists part with their money, especially coming in from Thailand.
Frequent buses and share taxis run from Siem Reap and Battambang to Poipet. Don't get off the bus
until you reach the big roundabout adjacent to the border post. Buying a ticket all the way to Bangkok
(usually involving a change of buses at the border) can expedite things and save you the hassle of
finding onward transport on the Thai side. The most convenient option is to take the 8am through bus
to Mo Chit bus station in Bangkok run by Nattakan in Siem Reap. This costs an inflated US$28, but
it's the only bus service that allows you to continue to Bangkok on the same bus you board in Siem
Reap.
At the border Be prepared to wait in sweltering immigration lines on both sides - waits of two or
more hours are not uncommon, especially in the high season. Show up early in the morning to avoid
the crowds. You can pay a special 'VIP fee' (aka a bribe) of 200B on either side to skip the lines.
There is no departure tax to leave Cambodia despite what Cambodian border officials might tell you.
Entering Thailand, most nationalities are issued 15-day visa waivers free of charge.
Coming in from Thailand, under no circumstances should you deal with any 'Cambodian' immigra-
tion officials who might approach you on the Thai side - this a pure scam. Entering Cambodia you
should not have to pay more than the US$20 visa fee, but again they will likely try to charge you at
least 100B extra as a 'stamp' or 'overtime' fee. You should refuse to pay this, although if you do they
make you wait awhile before they stamp your passport.
Moving on Minibuses wait just over the border on the Thai side to whisk you to Bangkok (300B, four
hours, every 30 minutes). Or make your way 7km to Aranya Prathet by tuk-tuk (80B) or sŏrngtăaou
(15B), from where there are regular buses to Bangkok's Mo Chit station between 4am and 6pm (223B,
five to six hours). Make sure your tuk-tuk driver takes you to the main bus station in Aranya Prathet
for your 80B, not to the smaller station about 1km from the border (a common scam). The 1.55pm
train is another option to Bangkok.
Getting Around
Moto drivers wait at the big roundabout to whisk you around the town proper - pay 2000r
for a short ride.
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