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What is the best land border to cross into Cambodia from Thailand without encountering corruption?

Thailand ImmigrationVisa IssuesCambodia TravelBorder CrossingCorruptionNon-O VisaExpat Advice
Nov 9, 2023
a year ago
AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I plan to do a border bounce journey to Cambodia the end of the month. I've never done a land border hop before. It is imperative I stay a night in Cambodia to coincide with my flight out Thailand in February. Can anyone recommend a border I can go to where the officials are not corrupt/ don't ask for tea money, as well as a decent hotel?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat is planning a border bounce to Cambodia, seeking recommendations for a land border that is less prone to corruption and advice on a suitable hotel. Community members shared various experiences, emphasizing the risks associated with the Poipet border crossing due to potential corruption and hostility from officials. Alternative suggestions include O Smach as a faster and less troublesome crossing. The importance of checking entry stamp timings and having the appropriate visa documentation are also highlighted, with advice suggesting that obtaining a Cambodian visa in advance can help avoid issues at the border.
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Mario *********
Just get your visa for Cambodia 🇰🇭 ahead of time going to their ambassy/consulate in Bkk.

This is what I do when going to Cambodia.

And watch the face of the guy at the border crossing when he sees he can’t screw you up because you already have your visa.
a year ago
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Brown ********
@Mario ********
 they say on this site even a visa won't get you in always
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mario ********
 great advice 👍🏻
a year ago
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Mario *********
@James ****
*************************************************
a year ago
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Mario *********
@James ****
 and if I remember correctly it’s a two days process.
a year ago
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Mario *********
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John ************
Flight in is least hassle re: immigration. Take bus back to Thailand.
a year ago
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Albert ********
You should be able to go and come back the same day I did that years ago but it only gives you a certain amount of time. Only 15 days land crossing. You're better to fly out somewhere You will get 30 days.
a year ago
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Albert ********
Non-o multiple entry visa is good for 90 days.
a year ago
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Katrin *******
@Albert *******
 I would be careful with „i did that years ago“, things changed and immigration is tighter these days.
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Albert *******
 also I'm not on a tourist visa I'm on a non- o multiple entry which will give me 90 days upon re entry. I should have made it clear sorry.
a year ago
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Albert ********
My wife has applied for 90 days for me a non-O visa and I got 30 days leaving the kingdom and going back in I got an extra 30
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Albert *******
 I think you're confusing it with a tourist visa
a year ago
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AliJames *****
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Albert ********
@James ****
 okay so you got 90 days I believe if you go out and come back in you will get another 30 I don't think they are renewing the 90 days Good luck
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Albert *******
 Is that a non-o multiple entry? where did you hear that?
a year ago
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AliJames *****
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Albert *******
 I don't want to go and come back the same day. I my 90 days expires on November 27 and fly out of Thailand on February 27. So I need to re-enter Thailand on November 29
a year ago
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AliJames *****
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Katrin *******
Avoid Poipet land border, this is was everybody is saying.
a year ago
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Brown ********
@Katrin ******
 he'll be ok as he's not a frequent border run hopper
a year ago
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Katrin *******
@Brown *******
 👍🏻
a year ago
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Katrin *******
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Tom ***********
@Katrin ******
 now I know. This immigration officer was shouting at a Muslim woman with 2 kids. Next he was screaming at me and insisted that I cannot enter Thailand again after I stayed 1 night even though I had a multiple entry visa. Guess he couldn't read English. All ended well I stayed overnight at the casino and made some money.
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Katrin ******
 that's on the way to siem reap unfortunately 😅
a year ago
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Maxim ***********
@James ****
 O Smach is very easy and quick to bounce from. And you don't need to book a hotel, you can bounce in and out in 30 min, so no need to stay overnight. And as others have said, avoid Poipet. I don't care that it's your way to Siem Reap, it's
*****
whether they let you in. Avoid.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@James ****
 Poi Pet loves to deny entry to anyone and force you to fly back to Thailand.
a year ago
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Todd *********
@James ****
 if your entry history is fairly clean and you have the ‘three proofs’, should be no issue. Poi Pet is strict for sure
a year ago
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Katrin *******
@James ****
 Yes. They tend to make you trouble going back into Thailand. Apart of that, it’s a horrible town. There is a border crossing 3,5 hours by taxi further south where people have no issues. Check „Poipet“ in the search function to get more infos.
a year ago
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Katrin *******
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Jacob ********
The first and only time I visited Cambodia in 2005 from the moment I crossed the border I was getting screwed. After ten nightmarish days I returned to Thailand. The Thai Immigration said welcome home. I told him I wanted to kiss the ground. NEVER AGAIN!
a year ago
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James **********
@Jacob *******
 I will cancel out the two great trips I have made to Siem Reap. You must be correct. 555 I will admit I fell for the milk scam, cost me 15usd
a year ago
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Jacob ********
@James *********
 It is the only country I have visited in Southeast Asia in twenty two years that I never felt safe there unlike Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Burma.
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jacob *******
 I spent a week in Phnom Penh in 2019 and didn't experience any issues, it must only be at the borders.
a year ago
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Jacob ********
@James ****
 not in my case. No desire to ever go back was not impressed.
a year ago
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James **********
@Jacob *******
 your absolutely right
a year ago
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Jacob ********
@James *********
 At the border crossing entering Cambodia the moment I started walking towards the immigration office and a group of super shady characters started hovering behind me I knew we were screwed. From that moment on it was on it was touch and go. By day two already we almost died.
a year ago
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Jacob ********
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Harry ****
how many entry stamps?
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Harry ***
 What do you mean?
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
1
a year ago
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Harry ****
@James ****
 how many times have you entered thailand in the last 12 months
a year ago
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Harry ****
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Todd *********
you could fly to Siem Reap for a fun night and bus back into Thailand the next day(s)
a year ago
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AliJames *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 are there buses to siem reap?
a year ago
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Michael ********
@James ****
 Yes i have got bus to Siem Riep from Bangkok.

Sometimes cheaper to fly if you plan ahead and book a couple of months before
a year ago
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Todd *********
@James ****
 must be. Are you in Bangkok? It’s about 400km
a year ago
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Todd *********
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Brandon ************
Double and triple check your timing since it seems like you'll be maxing out your entry stamp and extension. Your day of entry counts as day 1.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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