Crossing the border via road transportation was our biggest and super duper achievement in our travelling diary this year.. both of us, separated by 2 different continents, seldom met, connected via fb and WA, drew up our plan, bought tickets, booked hotels..jumped and just fly.
Since we both love to travel and would prefer visiting many places at one, we decided to take the raya holiday as an opportunity to travel to 2 countries in 1 shot. And Thai - Cambodia was the best option, closest and cheapest..And got 3 UNESCO sites, a must visit place for my travel partner..
We did sort of homework for the cross border plan. Never been this nervous. Read many websites and blogs to find the best way and tips to cross the border safely. 2 girls crossing the land, both we never put our foot on..
Some tips that we can share
1- Take early morning train from Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok
2- Better to overnight at hotel near Chinatown / Hua Lamphong area. Worse case scenario, can just walk to the station from hotel
3- Arrived at Aranyaprathet around 1230 noon, and straightly get a Tuk Tuk to Poipet Border
4- Negotiate the price. It should be around 100 Baht only. I think we paid around 60-70 Baht. And the tuk tuk driver agreed with that offer.
5- Speak clearly- POIPET- and if necessary, shout.
6- The journey took less than 15 minutes via a main road. If it is not a main road, then ur being scammed.
7- tuk tuk might take u to some "CUSTOMS OFFICE/AGENTS" for VISA etc. DON'T GO, DON'T AGREE. DON'T FOLLOW. Go straight to Customs / Immigration Office at the border itself. For Malaysian, NO VISA required. just stamp your passport at the border (once in Thai's and once in Cambodia's)
8- Step from the tuk tuk, pick ur bag, hold tightly, say no to all the HELPERS and walk as fast as you can to the office. Follow the sign. (pic below)
9- Queue at the Customs/Immigration area and make sure you did not lost your entrance card when you firstly arrived at Bangkok. You need to present the card when you're leaving Thai also. (the white card)
Pic below taken when we arrived at the Customs/Immigration Office (Thai - Cambodia)
Can't take pic inside the immigration area. Once you're cleared, walked across the landmark below. and WALK FASTER. as fast as you can.
You'll be approached by some local guy claiming that they are some government staff, willing to help u across the border. DON'T STOP. DON'T LISTEN. JUST WALK or RUN until you reached the CUSTOMs of Cambodia
Walking distance from Thai's office to Cambodia's = 200 m. There is a hotel in between. Lot of local and foreigner. So, just walk.
Got our passport stamp. No scam so far.
Leave the office.
Take the Government bus (which is free) to the international bus station. Please take note. It does not look international at all. Just a normal station bus.
Leave the bus. And get a ticket to Siam Reap at the Counter nearby. Plenty options available:
1- By Bus (USD9) - open to scam - too many people in one ride - u might not reach Siam Reap on time
2- By Taxi (USD40 per cab or around that - quiet expensive but the fastest way. Just make sure u have enough buddies to chip in the taxi fare
3- By Mini Van (USD10 each) - reasonable and not so bad journey. It took us about 2 hours. with a van full with Italiano, Spanish hot guys.
Pretty straight and boring journey. But arrived in Siam Reap, safe and sound.
No comments:
Post a Comment