We want to cross the border from Laos to Cambodia and then from Cambodia to Thailand
I see a lot of info on the net about going from Thailand to Cambodia through Poi Pet on the really bad road etc....lots of scams to get more money out of you.........
There is very little info available on crossing from Laos into Cambodia (except it is a river or a road crossing) - Is it any hassle? and/or if there is any hassle re-entering Thailand and if there is some scams on the way back?
Any information on your experience doing something similar would be helpful. Where did you cross back into Thailand - do you need proof of an onward flight for re-entering Thailand - as far as im aware this is not really checked by the Thais - only really checked by the foreign airlines on your departure to Thailand - but if it is definately a requirement - please let me know.
Any help on this appreciated.
Vik
Reply to this Heyyy Vik
Poipet crossing
Well I DONT ADVISE YOU to take a bus from BKK to Siem Riep !!!!!!!!! As i found out, most of the travel agencies in Khosan Road selling bus tickets with different prices and at the end you will be in one bus. I remmber I have paid 350 BHT for my ticket and the tourist I met in the bus they paid 500 - 900 BHT !! The road from Poipet - SiemRiep is a big suffer (no aircon, dust, very bad road). In Thailand they will tell you it's only 5 hours to Siem Ripe, but the whole journey from BKK will take around 12 - 15 hours.
Anyway if you wana do it by bus then take down this points:
1- dont get fooled by the women in the resturant before the border which will tell you the Visa has been increased and u need to pay here to make things easier. The visa cost is 20 $ but the police in the border will accept only 25 $.
2- After crossing the border, they will spilt the tourist in to two buses.Also dont trust the Cambodian guide who will come and advise the tourist (trust his advises but dont trust him about the money exchange), later will tell you "You have to change your money in the money changer (their money exchange) coz in Cambodia they dont accept Thai Bhat or USD. Note that it's acceptable every where.
3- They might drop the toursit to their guest house which is far by walking from hte downtown of Siem Reap (Infact you wont have more energy to walk), so you either sleep in the guest house or do as we did that we took tuk tuk to the downtown.
Laos - Cambodia
The tourist who i met in Laos has crossed it from Si Phan Don to Cambodia. But when I met them again in Cambodia, they told me it was a little hard time. As i understood from them it's better to do it in a group so you want suffer alone, hehe.
For me I crossed from the south of Laos back To Thailand and it was fine. Everything was alright. I have not faced any scams on the way back from Laos to BKK. About the prove, i was not having any tickets with me, because i came all the way via busess from Malaysia. But will be better if you keep yourz with you.
Please note that all these informations was during july / August 2005.
If you need anything please let me know.
Happy travelling. 😊
Reply to this Hi Ray Om, Thanks very much for the advice! - I think we will fly back from Siem Reap to BKK - it just sounds like a misery and not what I want on my trip of a lifetime! We will still have to attempt the Laos/Cambodia border but it seems you almost have to accept that you will be ripped off and not get worked up by it - just have to budget for a little extra at the borders.
Many thanks again - its very helpful
VIktoria
Reply to this Helllo Vik,
You always welcome .. dont forget to buy ur self the Travel guide "The Lonely Planet" for Cambodia and Laos. It is very very very useful for travelling.
Enjoy your trip
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