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What are the best tips for making my first border run from Buriram City to Cambodia?

border runCambodiaBuriram Cityvisa adviceChong Chom border crossingtransportation optionslocal tipsexpat travel
Jun 4, 2023
a year ago
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I need to do border run June 10th, my first, and would like some advise? I am about an hour and half a way by car, I'm in Buriram City. Should I take grab? Do I need suitcase for border run? I am planning on staying in the hotel I'm in now.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is preparing for their first border run on June 10th from Buriram City, seeking advice on transportation and luggage needs. Suggestions include potential transportation options, such as taking a van to Surin and using Grab or songtaew services, along with a recommendation to consider staying one night in O Smach, Cambodia, to avoid complications at the Thai border.
Jody *******
Chong Chom is the nearest border crossing to where you are in Sisaket. You could take a van to Surin to save $ & Grab taxi from there, or use a songtaew to Prasat and maybe there would be a songtaew further to the village on the border. I would just hitchhike from Surin. ;)

It might be a good idea to stay 1 night in O Smach, the border town in Cambodia so that you avoid any hassle with unfriendly Thai border guards. It would be good to hear from someone who has used that crossing recently! Good luck!
a year ago
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Clint *********
@Jody ******
 I went there month and a half ago. Pretty easy, walked in Cross ed the border, paid 1,500 baht (SHOULD BE $35 USD) but now I know, Walk down the street for 5 minutes cross the street went to the Thai immigration, and the Cambodian agent forgot to stamp my passport, so me, and another guy, had to walk back across get the stamp come back across to the tie immigration, and then all done... Three people didn't get the stamps, I don't understand why.
a year ago
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David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Clint ********
 I did my border run yesterday the 9th, everything went well. I was only in Cambodia 35 minutes. When I was leaving Thailand there was some confusion with my passport, but after holding up line for 5 minutes it was worked out (?) Than they waved me through into an area with Cambodians standing around and the main person who spoke English Mr Vong helped with the process, definitely worth it for 300 baht tip, did most of the translation and filled out paperwork. Cost at border 1,500 baht if I went on into town, but it cost an extra 500 if I just turned around an exited, which I did, back through Thai immigration. Only 45 minutes. I had grab driver pick me up at 8 am in Buriram Town, and I was back at hotel my hotel at 11:45 am. Cost 2 000 baht, I could found cheaper ways to border but grab was comfortable and simple. Next time I will go into town and look around.
a year ago
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David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Clint ********
 Thanks for the information, I'm heading there Friday.
a year ago
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Clint *********
@David *********
 I might go on Tuesday....It's only 40 minutes from my place
a year ago
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David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Clint ********
 i will post my experience tomorrow night.
a year ago
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David **********
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Paul *******
@Jody ******
Yes if heading that way you'll want to go to Siem Reap. Spending the night in a border town like that as a foreigner would be a bit weird. I don't think any westerner has ever spent the night there. Even Thais generally don't as they come for the gambling and return home before the border closes.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Paul ******
 I've been to O'Smach a few time with my wife and our dogs. Nothing weird in spending the night there for a border bounce. I always see other foreigners went I do it. It's not crowded so it's a great option.
a year ago
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Paul *******
@Maxim **********
 It's an easygoing border crossing but I've never heard of a non-Thai foreign national spending the night there. The casinos aside (and even they're questionable), the standards are poor. You can be in Siem Reap in under 2 hours. Even if I didn't have a car and arrived at the border at 8 or 9pm, I'd still take a taxi to Siem Reap to avoid spending the night there. If I was arriving late, I probably would spend the night n the Thai side, where accommodation is far superior to Cambodia in every respect. Of course once you get to Siem Reap it's pretty awesome, but I'm referring to the countryside here.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Paul ******
 I don't know how "I've never heard of a non-Thai foreign national spending the night there" is even an argument. Be humble about what you don't know instead of trying to be a "know it all". No need to shove to people throat your personal preferences, OP asked about staying at that border. He didn't ask you to create a 2 days trip for him.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
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Paul *******
@Jody ******
He's in Buri Ram. Never heard of anyone staying in O'Smach that isn't Thai. They'd probably look at you weird. There are like 2 casinos there and that's the only accommodation in town. If you're intending on spending the night in Cambodia, might as well catch a cab down to Siem Reap, which is a mere 1h45min away. Even for a night it's worth it.
a year ago
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Jody *******
@Paul ******
Google maps shows 11 guesthouses in O Smach. But of course it's possible to travel further into Cambodia, depending on ones desires. I think it would be interesting to stay one night there though.

It would be a great opportunity to see Siem Reap, especially if he hasn't already.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Jody ******
 And fyi, if you have dogs or cats they won't even ask for health certificate or wtv at O'Smach border. It's a very chill and easy border. Yes, 11 guesthouses seems about right. Probably a bit more not on google.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Jody ******
 Do not listen to him, he doesn't have a clue.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
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Steve *******
@Jody ******
 The OP is in Buriram, having said that Chong Chom or Chong Sangam are his best border crossings. No need to stay overnight.
a year ago
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Jody *******
@Steve ******
Chong Sa-ngam is a bit far. It's next to Anlong Veng on the Cambodian side though, which is an interesting place.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Jody ******
 It's an easy crossing but Chong Chom is nearer.
a year ago
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Steve *******
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Maxim ***********
@Jody ******
 O'Smach is a hassle free border. On par with any Laos border
a year ago
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David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 thanks
a year ago
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David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 i have grab driver taking me to border and waiting to bring me back Thursday. Just bringing backpack with change of clothes if something goes wrong. Do you use baht on both sides of border? Thanks for information.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@David *********
 Cambodia mostly USD but close to border np with baht. Worse case hotel convert for you.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
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Jody *******
@Maxim **********
What about going in & out same day though? Have you tried that there or heard of anybody who has recently? It would be good to know if they permit that, & if so do they expect a 'fee'. I'd think it's the best option though, from Buriram. Things change, so it's always good to hear latest reports.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@Jody ******
 Yes np same day. O'Smach is easy like Laos.
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
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Peter ****************
Watch out for Cambodian poi pet border.
a year ago
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Peter ****************
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