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Do I need to pay for a Cambodia visa in USD or Thai Baht when crossing from Koh Chang?
Jan 7, 2023
3 years ago
Dallas *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHi,
Just going on a visa run from Koh Chang to Siem Reap, does anyone know if you have to pay for the Cambodia visa in USD or if you can use Thai baht?
Also, is it best to bring USD for spending in Cambodia as well?
Thanks 😊
Just going on a visa run from Koh Chang to Siem Reap, does anyone know if you have to pay for the Cambodia visa in USD or if you can use Thai baht?
Also, is it best to bring USD for spending in Cambodia as well?
Thanks 😊
TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers going from Koh Chang to Siem Reap can pay for a Cambodia visa in either USD or Thai Baht, although it's generally recommended to pay in USD to avoid unfavourable exchange rates. While Thai Baht is accepted, especially near border areas, USD is more widely used for transactions in Cambodia. ATMs in Cambodia mostly dispense USD, and there's often a fee for withdrawals.
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Paul *******
They prefer Thai Baht at Koh Kong (nearest border crossing to Koh Chang) but it will cost you 1600 Baht! That's why it's better to pay in USD.
Anyway, are you vaccinated? If not, coming back to Thailand could be an issue. Unless things change by February 1 and you can stay in Cambodia until then.
Anyway, are you vaccinated? If not, coming back to Thailand could be an issue. Unless things change by February 1 and you can stay in Cambodia until then.
Muzzy *********
Atm in Cambodia they just give not underder then 100 dollar you have to take 100 dollar not 50 or less every transaction 5 dollar's fee plus add your bank fee on top Cambodia is expensive place NOTHING to enjoy ( this is my opinion)
Paul *******
@Muzzy ********
If you find Phnom Penh boring you'll find Bangkok boring too. Both are similar. Both have a lot of great restaurants, bars and Mega malls. There are more malls in Bangkok as it's a bigger city and had more of a head start, given it's stronger economy and all but Phnom Penh is catching up fast.Paul *******
You sound like a boring person. Cambodia is incredibly fun and if you like drinking or partying then Siem Reap's pub Street beats the pants off anything in Thailand, including Khao San road. Alcohol is cheaper and there are no silly trading hours restrictions. The party continues until 4am or so and you won't constantly see corrupt police at closing hours like in Thailand.
As for Cambodians ATMs, some dispense only 100 dollar bills, which is strange given its not a rich country and changing such bills outside of hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, malls and gas stations is difficult.
Other ATMs dispense 10s and 100s with only a few dispensing 10s, 50s and 100s.
This contrasts with the USA where I have not seen any ATMs dispensing anything larger than a 20.
As for Cambodians ATMs, some dispense only 100 dollar bills, which is strange given its not a rich country and changing such bills outside of hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, malls and gas stations is difficult.
Other ATMs dispense 10s and 100s with only a few dispensing 10s, 50s and 100s.
This contrasts with the USA where I have not seen any ATMs dispensing anything larger than a 20.
Muzzy *********
@Paul ******
I been in pp and do not be there as you say party beer or classic reasons as you and was pp boring it is my opinion :) if you like siem reap just stay there good timeReply to
Muzzy *********
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Muzzy *********
Ä° just come back 2 day ago you can use dollads everywhere there 1 dollar is 4100 riel if you give dollar they give you riel change some time dollar also Thai baht can use only in city in nearest border Cambodia is a place don't want to go second time :) turist visa 30 dollar bussines 35 dollar plus 100 baht they want for their poket I don't know why they ask extra 100 even there is write 30 dollar maybe they don't want from everyone:)
Dallas *****
ORIGINAL POSTEROkay thanks
Reply to
Dallas *****
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James ***************
Yes you can use thai baht for visa - they are actually happy you do because they will make extra on exchange rate they give you.
Steve *******
You can use Thai Baht. It's widely accepted in Cambodia.
Paul *******
@Nick ********
exactly. I've been going to Cambodia for pleasure or business for 20 years now and I second your experiences. Clearly he is trolling. Baht can be accepted up to between 20-50km from the Thai border. Beyond that, it's Riel/USD only (and Vietnamese Dong in border areas close to Vietnam).Paul *******
@Steve ******
"lose a sale"? Lose a sale to an ignorant, cheapskate like you? I think they'd rather hold onto their goods and wait for someone who can pay them in an actual legally accepted currency. What's next, you gonna pay them in Bangladeshi Takas? What merchants will do is tell you they can't accept Baht and point you to the nearest money changer.
Paul *******
@Nick ********
I think Steve is a troll. He's putting out advice like how he claims he accompanies his wife to Phnom Penh without a passport (which is illegal and no hotel will accept a foreign guest without one) and they "do trading" in Baht. That's the funniest story I've read on here in a long while.Everyone knows that a border pass, if accepted, can only be used in the province entered.
Nick *********
@Paul ******
no one in Phnom Penh accepts baht, they will send you to a money changer . Notice he stopped trying to tell me he knows everything about Cambodia after I mentioned I lived there for 8 years.Reply to
Nick *********
Reply
Paul *******
@Steve ******
you can't use Baht in Siem Reap. They won't take it. They will happily exchange Baht for Riel or USD though.Nick *********
@Steve ******
only in the western part of the country.Steve *******
@Nick ********
And Central heading East, from Dongrak, O'smach, Chong Sangam down to Siem Reap and Preah ViharPaul *******
@Steve ******
Preah Vihear is along the Thai border, so no surprises they accept Baht there in towns close to Thailand. Siem Reap - no. Unlikely to be accepted.Steve *******
@Paul ******
I never had any problems using Baht in Siem Reap.Nick *********
@Steve ******
I wouldn't call that widely acceptedSteve *******
@Nick ********
I would, West, Central and East and I'll bet they'd take baht anywhere rather than lose a sale!Nick *********
@Steve ******
whatever . I lived there 8 years. They don't like that and are probably just putting up with you because you are a stupid foreigner.Paul *******
@Steve ******
I was able to pay a traffic fine about 20km south of the O'Smach border in Baht. As far as Samroang they might accept Baht but I wouldn't try it further than that. Siem Reap is USD or Riel territory for sure.Reply to
Paul *******
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Paul *******
20k from the border on the Thai side or Cambodian side?
Steve *******
@Paul ******
Thai sideReply to
Steve *******
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Paul *******
@Steve ******
You CAN use Baht in western Cambodia. For instance in border towns like Poipet and even as far east as Sisophon or Koh Kong. However, once you get to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, hardly anyone will want them.Steve *******
@Paul ******
Like I said Ive never had any problems using Thai Baht, crossing at Chong Sanagm or Chong Chom and down to Siem Reap.Paul *******
@Steve ******
And I'm familiar with both of those two crossings as well. Mostly entering via Chong Chom and exiting for Thailand at Chong Sa-ngam, because there are fewer reports about being able to bring a car into Cambodia at the latter (though I've now confirmed with Cambodian customs, it's possible).Steve *******
@Paul ******
Ive used Chong Sanagm regularly, for years lived 20k from the crossing. Half the family are Cambodian.Paul *******
@Steve ******
Yes me either, but not in big cities. Only areas relatively close to the Thai border.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Stéfan ********
@Steve ******
no it's not... I live here and the vast majority of shops will only accept US dollars and riels.Paul *******
@Stéfan *******
True in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and anywhere further than 50km from the Thai border.In border towns like Koh Kong, Poipet and even Sisophon, Thai Baht is widely accepted but elsewhere, it's Riel and/or USD only.
Steve *******
@Stéfan *******
Ive never had any problems using Baht in Cambodia, of course any change is in Riel.Reply to
Steve *******
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Scot *******
We entered Cambodia at poipet a week ago. Yes they take Thai baht. 1300 is what they wanted. A bit more than $30 but OK. Food and hotels at the border city also took Thai baht.
Paul *******
Oh indeed. Just that it should be considered as a last resort. Try to obtain USD if at all possible to pay the visa before arriving. I can understand that for someone residing in remote Isarn, a 100km detour to a larger town that has a bank or money changer that can sell USD might not be worth it as the fuel costs might exceed the extra amount the officers at immigration pocket when paying in Baht. However, for anyone coming from a larger town or if there's a bank along the way it is worth stopping off to get USD.
Paul *******
@Scot ******
a fair bit more. It's still best to bring USD for the visa but generally no difference if you pay for goods and services in Baht compared to USD in Poipet. However, for the taxi to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, they'll rip you off if you try to pay in Baht. Much better to agree on a USD price.Scot *******
Oh you will take a loss, but it will get you across the border.
Reply to
Scot *******
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Dallas *****
ORIGINAL POSTERCool, thanks!
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Dallas *****
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Lisa ********************
ATM in Cambodia will dispense $ if you want. Thai bt not usually accepted in Cambodia
Paul *******
@Steve ******
yes if you pay for the VOA in Baht you'll end up paying much more than in USD.Paul *******
@Lisa *******************
I tried getting Riel out it didn't let me...foreign card holders can only get USD.Paul *******
@Lisa *******************
ONLY USD are dispensed in Cambodia if you're a foreign card holder. Riel is an option for local bank accounts.Lisa ********************
@Paul ******
gave me the choice, last time I used ATM . Obviously, I picked dollars 😂Reply to
Lisa ********************
Reply
Steve *******
@Lisa *******************
Thai Baht is widely accepted in Cambodia and can be used to purchase the VOA.Stéfan ********
Baht and dollars for the visa and most things in Poipet (restaurants, hotels, cafe's, etc)... Some large shops accept baht in Siem Reap, but they're far and few, and it's tiresome to ask as it pisses cashiers off. When paying with dollars, be very careful not to be given damaged bills with your change. This is often the case in bars.
Paul *******
@Stéfan *******
That's exactly my experience. Rarely would shops in Siem Reap accept Baht. Some might, but most want Riel or USD. You could theoretically pay for anything in Riel, but it's more practical to pay for small items only in Riel and more expensive ones only in USD.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Stéfan ********
@Steve ******
nopeLisa ********************
@Steve ******
OK. Must be a new thing. Wasn't accepted in 2019 in Siem Reap or PP. Only at border towns.Paul *******
@Lisa *******************
Indeed. I didn't have enough USD or Riel on me to pay a speeding ticket 20km inside Cambodia coming from the Surin border crossing, heading for Siem Reap once. The officer on duty asked if I had Baht and I said yes so paid the fine in that currency. I've noticed that merchants and businesses may accept Baht up to around 50km inside Cambodian territory but not beyond.
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Paul *******
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