Border crossing Vietnam - Cambodia and Thailand - Cambodia Border points Poipet and Bavet. Border between Cambodia and Thailand - personal review Crossing the border between Thailand and Cambodia

Unlike their neighbors in the region - Vietnam and Thailand, which are quite popular among Russian citizens, You can’t get into Cambodia without a visa. Although the process of obtaining a document does not present any serious difficulties, there are still subtle points in obtaining a Cambodian entry visa.

A visa to Cambodia for Russians in 2019 is issued in three ways: preliminary issuance in Moscow through the Embassy (Consulate) of the Kingdom of Cambodia, issuance via the Internet and directly when crossing the border by land/land, air and sea.

A Cambodian visa is issued within a few minutes at the border.

Who needs a visa

All Russians will definitely need a Cambodian visa regardless of the purpose of their visit to the country. Cambodia is gaining popularity among our travelers, so visa issues are becoming increasingly important when planning a trip.

You can visit Cambodia not only for tourism purposes: you can go there as a student, you can get a job in Cambodia or do business there. Or you can even stay there and live there. Naturally, in all such cases a visa will be required.

Types of Cambodian visas

According to the purpose of the trip, visas to Cambodia for Russians are divided into several types:

• Tourist is the most popular type for Russians; the document is suitable for traveling around the country, vacationing on sea ​​resorts states;
• Transit – unfortunately, you cannot travel through Cambodia without this visa; it must be issued in the same way as the others;
• Guest is entry by invitation from the Cambodian side;
• Study visa – for the purposes of studying/taking courses;
• Business visa - for work.

It should be said that this division is quite arbitrary. Almost all types of Cambodian visas are issued in a similar way to tourist visas; almost the same package of documents is provided. The only significant difference is the validity period, which is individual in each case.

Visa application

A Russian traveler can choose one of three available ways to obtain a visa to Cambodia. The choice will depend on where the traveler is physically located and what will be most convenient for him.

Through the Embassy (Consulate) of Cambodia

The most obvious option is to contact the Embassy in Moscow. To obtain an entry document you will need a minimum package of papers:

1. International passport valid for at least six months;
2. Two photographs of size 3x4, other requirements for photographs are the same as for Schengen;
3. Visa application form duly completed in English;
4. Photocopy of the international passport.

It is also possible to obtain a visa through the Embassy or Consulate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, which are located in other countries: Thailand, Vietnam and so on.

Via the Internet

This method is the most convenient and popular, as it allows a Russian citizen to apply for a visa to Cambodia from anywhere, without necessarily being in Russia. E-Visa (or electronic visa) has restrictions:

• With an E-Visa, it is possible to cross the border by air - arriving at international airports in Siep Reap, Phnom Penh;
• Crossing the border by land is allowed only at Poi Pet / Banteay Meanchey and Cham Yeam / Koh Kong, on the border with Thailand, and at Bavet / Svay Rieng, on the border with Vietnam;
• You cannot enter Cambodia via Laos with an E-Visa.

Cambodia e-Visa Photo

Procedure for obtaining an E-Visa

An electronic visa to Cambodia for Russians can be obtained on the website of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Steps for registration:

1. Go to the Internet resource of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
2. Fill out the electronic form, use English;
3. Upload a scanned photo to the appropriate section. The photo must be new, no older than six months, the dimensions must be the same as in the passport;
4. Pay the consular fee with a bank card.

You should pay attention to the fact that the site crashes quite often. If a failure occurs after paying the consular fee, the applicant will have to send the amount for the E-Visa again.

The e-visa must be printed in duplicate, as it may be asked to show it upon departure.

On the border

Russians can apply for a visa to Cambodia right at the border. This is done at airports and checkpoints bordering Thailand and Vietnam. It should be remembered that according to the rules It is impossible to obtain a visa on the spot when crossing the border through Laos.

Each traveler is given a visa application form to fill out. If you don’t have a photo with you, it costs 2-3 dollars to get a scan of your passport photo from the border guard.

The set of documents for obtaining a visa to Cambodia at the border is no different from what is submitted when applying for a visa through the Embassy in Moscow, only one photo is required.

The list of papers does not include hotel reservations and return tickets, since it is not necessary to book a hotel and have return tickets to obtain an entry visa.

Features of non-tourist visas

Any visa to Cambodia that is not a tourist visa requires exactly the same set of documents. Both work and study visas can be obtained at the border: Border control officers may require to see documents that are the basis for obtaining a certain type of visa, proof of sufficient cash, return tickets. But even if there is none of this, issues are always resolved for an additional fee.

Cambodian non-tourist visas differ in the amount that must be paid when extending them, as well as the validity period.

Features of entry

All travelers need to remember that in matters related to a Cambodian visa, they will have to face extortion from visa officers and fraud. This can be avoided if you obtain a visa from the Embassy in Moscow, and upon arrival at the international airports of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. When passing a land border by land transport or on foot, scammers have the most opportunities.

To avoid unnecessary overpayments, “thanks” in the form of money to visa officers and not to deal with cunning scammers, you need to remember the following points:

• Do not use the services of friendly people who offer to issue a visa for a price three times higher; their services cost from 60 dollars. They usually guard tourists near checkpoint crossings; they must be ignored and go straight to the visa officers;
• If a border guard demands a medical card and tries to charge a fine for its absence, then you need to know that his demand is illegal - no medical card is needed;
• The official price for all border checkpoints is the same, if they demand more money, then this is also illegal;
• You should not give your passport to a person who comes up and politely offers to do everything without queuing;
• It is necessary to avoid offers from drivers - despite the fact that they offer a ride to the immigration office, in the end the tourist ends up with an intermediary company that takes on the issuance of visas for triple the price.

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to avoid small extortions at the border. If the demands for “fines” or “gratitude” to the border guard do not go beyond normal limits and are limited to a couple of dollars, then it is better to pay them and save your nerves.

Visa extension

Any of the Cambodia visas can be extended without having to leave the country. This is done through the local immigration office for an additional fee or through a travel agency, but then you will have to pay two or even three times more.

Cambodia visa for a child

For those families who plan to travel to Cambodia with minor children and will apply for child visas, you will need to take the following additional documents:

1. Birth certificate with a mark on citizenship;
2. Passport of the child, if he is over 14 years old;
3. Certificate from school;
4. Copies of passports/international passports of parents/guardians;
5. Certificate from the parent’s work;
6. Consent/power of attorney for the departure of a minor, notarized by one/both parents/guardians, depending on the composition of the family.

Cost and validity period

The official amount of the consular fee for a visa to Cambodia for Russians is the same for all methods of crossing the border, as well as for all methods of receipt - both for E-Visa and for the paper equivalent. Validity periods and number of days of stay vary.

It is possible to pay in rubles only at the Embassy; in all other situations rubles are not accepted.

A regular tourist visa stamp is a one-time stamp and is subject to cancellation upon departure from the state. To re-enter, you will need to obtain a new document and pay the consular fee again.

Registration period

This story is personal experience about crossing the border between countries and. Everyone has heard about Asian corruption, but it is not always pleasant to encounter it. We specifically wrote our story so that all independent travelers could benefit from our experience and not experience problems at the border with Cambodia. We ourselves, remembering our own advice, a few years later repeated our trip from Thailand to Cambodia and received visas at the border and ended up in Siem Reap. However, this story is about what should not happen to you.

• The scene is the border cities of two kingdoms, Thailand and Cambodia, - Aranyaprathet ( Aranyaprathet) and Poipet ( Poipet).
• Valid in 2011. However, when we went on a trip from Thailand to Cambodia again in 2016, it turned out that nothing had changed. So the problem is still relevant.
• We have written detailed instructions on how to come to Aranyaprathet, spend the night, cross the border and get from Thailand to Cambodia on your own, get a visa and go by taxi to Siem Reap without overpaying the border mafia, as well as the cost of such a trip.

Thailand-Cambodia border on the map

Review and story about how to get from Thailand to Cambodia

So let's begin our story.

As soon as a foreigner (farang) arrives in Aranyaprathet, he immediately risks running into people who want to make money from him. Such is life on the border. It’s unlikely that this will change, but I want to go to Cambodia! How to get there?

Somehow we faced the same problem. We got off the bus after six hours in the sleepy atmosphere of a leisurely drive around Isaan, our heads had not yet turned on, and the show was already starting! Yes, yes, that's what it's designed for. Our fellow traveler, a Canadian friend, didn’t even have time to pull out Lonely planet. And around us there are already a lot of people who want to take us to the border of Thailand and Cambodia.

Are you still in Thailand, and they already want to give you a visa to Cambodia at the border? How so? Cambodia visas are issued directly on the territory of the state of Cambodia, but where are we? We just got off the bus at the bus station. So what are we doing? We smile, pretend to be a stupid farang and say “No!” to everyone.

But, of course, in reality it is better to use the services of a tukker. You can't walk out of town. But since it is not known in advance whether an honest person will be caught, you just have to watch where he is taking him. If you are offered a visa before you have left Thailand, this is a reason to loudly and clearly say “No! Take me to the border!”

Once, when we found ourselves in such a situation for the first time in 2011, we and our fellow traveler from Canada did not immediately realize that something was wrong. They brought us to the office, gave us forms and said, fill them out, and we will get you a visa. Our Canadian filled out the forms (we did too), handed over his passport and money (and we only had our passports), when suddenly I suddenly thought - we’re still in Thailand!!! First, I turned to my fellow traveler, explained my suspicions to him, he agreed, and then, smiling sadly, said that he had already given the money, and he also didn’t have a photograph with him, what if it was needed at the real border? And here it seems like they’ve already done it, but if he leaves, he’ll have to pay twice?

And I had to put on a show.

In general, realizing our unenviable position, I barked at the imaginary border service officer:
- Come on, bring our passports!
The officer tensed a little, but then smiled:
- Madam, now we’ll make a visa and bring it to you.
- No, you need it right away, without a visa.
— You won’t be allowed into Cambodia without a visa.
“They’ll let you in, they’ll let you in, you don’t have a real border here!”
The officer widens his eyes and rolls them.
- I'm waiting for my passport!
I tap my fingers on the table threateningly. He hesitates. The Canadian, understanding the situation, however, says:
- I don’t have a photo. I'm staying here. They definitely will.
“He,” I point to the Canadian, “is making a visa for you, and send our passports right now!”
The officer hesitates and looks from me to the Canadian.
“We have a real border, we’ll get you a visa,” he doesn’t want to lose clients.
I have no choice, I’m starting to get hysterical:
- You don’t even know who you contacted and what problems you will have if you don’t return your passports now!!! You will have such problems! Do you know who I am? – and then I slam the table like in a Hollywood action movie. - Yes, I’ll get in touch with my people now! You will never forget me!
It’s funny and pathetic, but the border guard got scared and brought the passports in a second.

It must be said that we, of course, received our visas already in Cambodia, and the Canadian also did not experience any problems at the border, and we all got to Cambodia in Poipet and went to Siem Reap to see the miracle of Southeast Asia -!

First of all, you need to find and compare prices of hotels with discounts on different booking sites. In order not to waste time, we use a convenient search engine - RoomGuru. He immediately looks for best offers on the Internet and shows the most profitable ones. All that remains is to choose the right one and go on vacation!

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Traveling on your own is much more interesting than buying package tours and using the services of tour operators. In the section "How to get there" I will periodically talk about my travel routes and some features along the way: transfers between cities, crossing borders, etc. I hope that some of my recommendations will be useful for independent travelers.

Route: Thailand → Cambodia → Vietnam

Cities: Bangkok → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Ho Chi Minh City
(Bangkok – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon)

Total distance: about 1000 km.

Section No. 1: Bangkok – Siem Reap

Operates in Siem Reap international airport(IATA: REP), so you can get from Bangkok (Thailand) to Siem Reap (Angkor, Cambodia) by plane. However, below I will only consider options for moving on the ground. The Bangkok - Siem Reap section can be divided into two subsections: before and after the border with Cambodia. There are two main options for ground transfer from Bangkok to the border: train or bus; from the border to Siem Reap: regular bus or a minibus for 10 people.

Step 1. Bangkok → Poipet (Poipet, Khmer. ឃុំប៉ោយប៉ែត), a city on the Thailand/Cambodia border

Plan A: by train (5.5 hours travel). To get to Poipet, you need to take a train to the border town of Aranyaprathet (Tais. อรัญประเทศ), and then take a tuk-tuk to the border. From the main railway station of Bangkok (Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Thais: สถานีรถไฟหัวลำโพง) two trains depart daily - at 5:55 and at 13:05. Tickets for Aranyaprathet can be purchased immediately before departure at the station. However, I recommend visiting the station the day before departure. In my case, it turned out that the train service was suspended due to flooding, so I followed Plan B. The fare is only about 50 baht (1.20 euros). The trains are only third class, but should be quite comfortable. Aranyaprathet is 255 km away, the morning train arrives at its destination at 11:35. In order to have time to cross the border on the same day and calmly get to Siem Reap without spending the night in Poipet, I recommend using the morning option. After arriving at Aranyapratet station, there will be tuk-tuks parked outside the station, which will take you to the border (about 6 km) in 10 minutes and 100 baht. Tell the driver in English that you are heading to the Cambodian border in Poipet.

Advice: Please contact the "Information" window with questions, they understand and speak English.

Plan B: by bus (4 hours travel time). There are several bus stations in Bangkok. I left from the eastern one (Eastern Bus Station, at the Ekkamai metro station). From the bus station directly to the border in Poipet, buses from the same company run at 6:15, 8:30, 10:30, 12:30. The fare is 220 baht (5.- euros), including a glass of water. At the ticket office, just say that you are going to Cambodia, they will show you which window to buy a ticket at and which platform to board on. The buses are not the most comfortable, but they are air conditioned.

This is what the eastern bus station looks like.

Step 2. Crossing the Thailand/Cambodia border

Passing the borders in Poipet and purchasing a Cambodian visa on the spot is not as difficult as it is sometimes written and talked about. The only and main rule: do not trust the locals and ignore those who pester you with offers. They may offer to escort you to the “official border”, or help you cross the border cheaper, or even on the Thai side to issue a bus ticket at exorbitant prices, etc. In fact, crossing the borders is free, you can easily buy a bus ticket on the Cambodian side. We ignore such individuals and simply go to the big gate, everything is intuitively clear. First we cross the Thai border. Along with your passport, you must have a completed departure form, which is usually obtained upon entry into Thailand. Then we find ourselves in the neutral zone. In front of the Cambodian "Welcome to Cambodia" arch on the right there is an official visa office and a border post where a visa is issued for $20 (+100 baht - the "official" bribe). If you do not have photographs with you for documents, you will need to pay $25. You fill out one single piece of paper and hand it in with your money and passport at the window to the border guards. In a few minutes the visa is ready. Next comes Cambodian border formalities. You may have to stand in line for Arrival for 30-40 minutes, but sometimes this is a very pleasant experience if there are globetrotters around you like you. Your passport is stamped, your fingerprints are taken and you are in Cambodia. The border is open from 7 am to 8 pm.

Thai border.

In the neutral zone.

Advice: don't trust locals who are trying to help you spend your money; take a photograph with you for identification; do not hide the pen for filling out papers; make sure you have American currency; don't spend all your baht in Thailand.

Step 3. Poipet → Siem Reap (Khmer: ក្រុងសៀមរាប)

Once on the Cambodian side, you'll be immediately taken to a free transit shuttle stop that will take you to the bus station (about a 10-minute drive). Siem Reap is 150 kilometers from Poipet. You have three main options: buy a bus ticket ($9, 3 hours travel), ride in a group minibus ($10, 2 and a half hours travel), or take a taxi ($48). While I was standing in line at the border, I got into conversation with several travelers and we already decided to take a minibus. We eventually assembled an excellent team of 10 people and went to Siem Reap. The road is great, the campaign is fun - it was very cool. Upon arrival, you will not be taken to the very center, but will be dropped off in specially designated areas where Tuk-Tuk drivers are already waiting. They will try to offer affordable accommodation, but I recommend taking care of these things before your trip and booking everything. Then just tell the tuk-tuk driver the address or name of the hotel, he will take you to the center for 1-2 dollars.

Advice: It is advisable to have a navigator in your smartphone or off-line maps with you in order to have an approximate idea of ​​where you are during the trip. Personally, I always additionally print out a map of where the hotel is located.

Section No. 2: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (Phnom Penh, Khmer. ក្រុងចតុម្មុខ)

If you chose "Plan A" (train) in the first step of the first section, then most likely you will still have a few hours for an easy walk around the center of Siem Reap on the day of arrival. If you chose a bus as transport, then you won’t have much time before evening. You can spend one or two days in Siem Reap before moving on to Phnom Penh. The distance to the capital of Cambodia is 250 km (by water) and 340 km (by land).

Plan A: by water. A passenger high-speed boat departs from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh every day at 6:30 am. Travel time is about 6.5 hours, estimated arrival time is 13:00. The fare is $35. A ticket for this type of transport can be purchased at the hotel reception.

Plan B: by bus. Regular buses depart from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh every day at different times before lunch. There are several transport companies engaged in passenger transportation between cities. I have traveled and recommend the Mekong Express Limousine Bus company. I left at 9:00, paid a fare of 12 dollars, which included transfer from the hotel (30-50 minutes before departure), a bottle of water and snacks on the bus. Travel time is 6 hours with a lunch break. All information on times, companies and prices can be obtained from the concierge at the hotel. In Phnom Penh, the tuk-tuk story repeats itself. They will take you to the hotel for 1-3 dollars.

Section No. 3: Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh City, former name Saigon, Saigon, Vietnam. Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh)

You can spend one or two days in Phnom Penh before moving on to Vietnam. Buses depart from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City every morning. The process is the same: at the hotel you can get all the information and buy a ticket ($10-13). There is a shuttle bus that will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the bus. There is no separate organized bus station in Phnom Penh. On the spot, they will write out your passport information and check whether you have a Vietnamese visa, which you need to take care of before traveling. Again, I recommend using the services of Mekong Express. Everything was well organized and there were no problems crossing the Vietnamese border. Travel time with a lunch break and passing all border formalities: 6 hours. In Ho Chi Minh City, the bus arrives in the very center and stops on Phạm Ngũ Lão Street.

Route option by day(not including days in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City):

Day 1: Transfer Bangkok - Siem Reap (first night in Siem Reap)
Day 2: Siem Reap (second night in Siem Reap)
Day 3: Transfer Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (first night in Phnom Penh)
Day 4: Phnom Penh (second night in Phnom Penh)
Day 5: Moving Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City

Travel and plan your trips yourself - it's easy and much more exciting than standard boring tours. Good luck and bright impressions! In the next parts I will begin to show the cities themselves. See you in touch!

Every day, a huge number of travelers cross the border from Vietnam to Cambodia, as well as from Thailand and Cambodia, by bus, bike, car, etc. in both directions. There are regular transport links between the countries, mainly through buses. This is the most cheap way to get into the Khmer country, and therefore very popular.

The destination is served by Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian bus companies. The lion's share of all passenger transportation accounts for buses of Cambodian carriers. Most of them serve destinations whose departure points are Phnom Penh, Siem Riap and Sihanoukville, and the arrival points are Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City (or in reverse order).

An important advantage of traveling with Cambodian bus companies is increased attention to passengers and providing them with all possible support when crossing the border. Carrier employees (stewards) either personally participate in the process of obtaining visas, or simply “watch” their clients, no matter how they get lost and do everything right. However, it should be noted that the cost of a visa with such help increases by at least $5 (instead of $30 you will have to pay $35). The price depends on the carrier. But you shouldn’t get hung up on this, because most tourists already pay this very top five when crossing the border on their own. This is due to the fact that at the border crossing, customs officers try in every possible way to inflate its cost, finding various reasons for this (assistance in filling out forms, lack of photographs, etc.).

On the Cambodian side, the most popular border crossings are Poipet and MocBai. Poipet - “exit” to Thailand, MocBai - to Vietnam. We will talk about them, and about the features of crossing the border from Vietnam to Cambodia and from Thailand to Cambodia, below. Let's immediately say that crossing the border at land customs points is somewhat different from a similar procedure at the airport: there is much less order and more confused fuss.

To cross the border to or from Thailand, the most commonly used border post is - Poipet , Thai side - Aranyaprathet. Transitioning through it may seem like a difficult undertaking due to its confusion and bustle. Below is a brief diagram of actions at this outpost:

Border crossing Cambodia - Thailand

Obtain an exit stamp (a note in the passport indicating that its owner has left the country). It is located in a small building on the right side of the main road (behind the circle, which is marked on maps as Kbal Spean Circle).

Go through the neutral zone into Thai territory (on the right side).

Thailand Passport Control is located on the opposite side of Suwannason Street (on the left side of the Thai border gate when facing it). Here you must obtain a visa and go through entry control.

Crossing the border from Thailand to Cambodia, procedure:

Obtain an exit stamp from Thai customs. To do this, in the Star Plaza area, go to the left side of the main road and go straight to a small building with a high staircase.

Next, we move towards Cambodia, and on its territory (after the arch) we move to the right side and get to the visa department. It is located on Khmer land, right in front of the large white casino. Here you fill out the form, pay the visa fee, and receive a passport with a visa attached.

If the trip takes place with one of the bus companies, the carriers' personnel do not let their passengers out of sight and assist them in navigating the area.

About the transition itself... Let's immediately say that there is nothing problematic or extreme in going through customs procedures at this outpost, it is not big, just somewhat confusing. The most important thing is to calmly and purposefully move in the right direction, carefully look around and at the signs, and also ignore all offers of help - give a ride, suggest, speed up, help with advice... etc. coming from strangers. Many who refuse this transition, especially for the first time, have the impression of complete chaos, and this is not far from the truth. Indeed, the place looks more like a market, or at least a very busy train station. In addition to people crossing the border, an unimaginable number of different people are concentrated here: taxi drivers, helpers, sellers of all sorts of things, beggars, thieves, etc. All this is in an unimaginable continuous movement. Of course, this may be a common occurrence for Asian countries, however, it fits very poorly with the border post and does not create the most pleasant impression of Cambodia.

Location of key points at the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing on the map (to go to interactive map, click on the picture with the left mouse button):

Border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia

Border checkpoints between Vietnam and Cambodia - from the Cambodian side - Bavet, from the Vietnamese side - Moc Bai. The place is the complete opposite of the transition between Thailand and Cambodia discussed above; everything here is much more cultural, clearer and simpler. If the move is carried out centrally (from the bus companies), then the entire procedure of passing through checkpoints is easy. Passports, completed forms and visa fees are handed over to the carrier’s employees on the bus (the forms are issued on the bus), and then they themselves do all the manipulations with them. Passengers only have to go through customs and passport control, without unnecessary communication with border guards. In general, the process of leaving Vietnam for Cambodia looks like this:

On the Vietnamese side we receive an exit stamp (there is only one building, it will be difficult to miss it);

We are moving in the direction of Cambodia, to the border crossing on the Khmer side. Here we fill out emigration cards and visa forms and receive a visa;

We go through passport control, take pictures of our fingers, and receive an entry stamp.

IN reverse direction(Cambodia - Vietnam) everything is even simpler, since you do not need a visa. By the way, you should pay attention to the fact that at the moment At the land checkpoints of Vietnam, you cannot issue a “long-term” Approval lette visa; here they only put a stamp, according to which you can stay in the country for 15 days.

About the crossing itself... If we compare it with the previous border crossing (Thailand - Cambodia), this is heaven and earth. Everything here is quite civilized, understandable, and even relatively clean, as far as the words “civilized” and “clean” can be applied to Southeast Asia. There are no crowds of beggars, helpers or other incomprehensible people here. Yes, there are drivers here offering to transport passengers across the neutral zone, money changers, and SIM card sellers, but these are all isolated cases, they don’t come in crowds.

Location of key points of the Bavet/Moc Bai border crossing on the map:

Crossing the border Vietnam - Cambodia and Thailand - Cambodia, what you should pay attention to:

Visas must be processed directly at the immigration offices at the border. You should not resort to the services of agencies that offer to arrange them in advance. Firstly, it will definitely cost more, and secondly, there is always a chance of running into scammers.

On the territory of the neutral zone there are a lot of all kinds of “helpers” who, for a fee, offer to speed up the process of obtaining visas, give them a ride, give advice, etc. It is strongly recommended to ignore them and not use any of the services offered.

– at all border points in Cambodia (regardless of the border with which country it is located), the price for a visa is increased by $5. Regardless of the type of visa. There are two options, one of which is to include this amount in your expenses and pay at the border (which the majority do), and the second is to defend your case, bargain with the border guards. This requires some time reserve. It’s not a very pleasant procedure, but it’s quite possible to defend your point of view (and a fair one at that). When paying for a visa, it is better to give an even amount, without change.

Crossing any border point is greatly simplified if travel between countries is carried out with one of the bus companies. Their employees will, at a minimum, provide informational assistance (they will tell you where to go to get an entry/exit stamp, apply for a visa, go to customs control, etc.) and, at a maximum, take on part of the work of completing some procedures. For example, when traveling on the route Vietnam - Cambodia, passengers are not even taken to the immigration point in Vietnam to receive an exit stamp. The Stuarts simply carry the documents themselves in bulk, and travelers see their documents only on the Cambodian side, with departure marks.

Regular communication has been established between Ho Chi Minh City and the Moc Bai border point, via regular buses. Near Pham Ngu Lao Street, stops every day around 8.00 intercity bus bus number 703. The second bus serving the direction is No. 704. It leaves from Ho Chi Minh City's eastern bus station Muen Dong.

Unusual attractions of Siem Reap

A visa to Cambodia is easy to obtain at the border when crossing the border. It is necessary to consider a number of answers to questions about this, including about all kinds of border crossings and connections. This article will be useful for those who wish to independently travel from Thailand to extend a Thai visa.

Location of Thailand and Cambodia on the map

We should start with the fact that a trip from Thailand to Cambodia for a visa is needed for people living in the east and center of the country:

• in Bangkok;
• on the islands of Koh Chang and Samet.

Cambodia is very close to them. There are 3 border crossings between the countries:

• Aranyaprathet - Poipet;

Border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia Aranyaprathet - Poipet

• Hat Lek - Cham Yeam;

• Ban Packard - Phsar Prom Pailin.

With an e-visa you are allowed to enter the first two. It should be noted that it is very convenient to get here from Vietnam, since it is located on the border with Cambodia.

When you travel from Thailand to Cambodia for a visa, there are a few things you should be aware of. It's easy to renew your document. If there is no queue, then you will spend a maximum of a quarter of an hour. The procedure looks like this:

• stamp your receipt of your Thai visa,
• fill out the form;

Sample form for extending a Thai visa

• pay 30 dollars for Cambodian,
• stamp your arrival in that country.

When you cross the border, keep $35 in your pocket. If you decide to pay in baht, the exchange rate will be very unfavorable. On the Cambodian side, there are constant border disputes. If you don't have a clue, you can spend 50 or even 100 dollars. This has been happening here for a long time, and it’s not just border guards who scam tourists. Among those who like to make quick money are:

• border authorities;
• various “helped”;
• drivers of tuk-tuks and minibuses.

View of the ancient cultural monument— Angkor

Aranyaprathet-Poipet is also the largest border crossing. When you find yourself here for the first time, you might even get a little lost.

In this area, you can be deceived not only by government officials, but also by the local population. For the indigenous people, this is a kind of entertainment.

For example, if you order a tuk-tuk from the station, you will be surprised that you will arrive not at the border crossing, but at an incomprehensible office, which is located 100 meters from it. The atmosphere inside is such that you get the feeling that this is real Thai immigration! Everyone here is businesslike, there are papers hanging on the walls (they talk about visa extensions costing $40). Polite staff adds fuel to the fire.

Watch the video: Crossing the border between Thailand and Cambodia - Aranyaprathet-Poipet.

Remember - border guards in Thailand are stern and taciturn. Therefore, forget about the fake office you were brought to. Firstly, you will spend extra money. Secondly, it is better not to give your passport to such individuals.

A number of regular buses from Bangkok go directly to the border. But even here the pestering “helpers” will immediately run up to you. Their goal in life is supposedly to make your life easier and help you obtain a visa. Drive them away from you immediately.

From Pattaya to Cambodia

You can get from Pattaya to Cambodia according to the instructions provided.

At 6 pm tourists are picked up from their hotel in Pattaya. It’s a long drive to the border; you can only get there around 5 am. Until the border opens, customs will process necessary documents. Here you will understand that getting from Pattaya to Cambodia is not as easy as it initially seemed.

The border opens at 6 am. After crossing it, you will be taken to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane.

Thai Embassy building in Vientiane

The next stage of the trip from Pattaya to Cambodia is handing over the package with documents. Afterwards the bus will take you to the hotel. Place your signatures, and specialists will draw up the paperwork for you. Once you arrive, you will check into a cozy hotel room.

Lunch time can be used as you wish. For example, you can go shopping. Here you can buy inexpensive products. It is especially worth paying attention to the cheese.

After breakfast in the morning you will be taken to the embassy and given the desired visa. The journey from Pattaya to Cambodia will smoothly come to an end.

Watch the video about insurance

The cost of such a trip will cost 5.5 thousand baht for Russian citizens. For others it will cost more.

Before you travel from Pattaya to Cambodia, do not forget to take your passport with you.