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Border Crossing
Laos
Currently, the border into Laos is not yet open others than Cambodians
and Laotians, but officials in Champasak, Laos hope to open the border
for everybody in the near future. There is still occasionally Khmer Rouge
activity, so it's not absolutely safe.
Thailand
There are several points for crossing the border between Thailand
and Cambodia. Safety has improved a lot over the last few years. The border
at Poipet is open to foreigners. The border is open before 8 am and closes
at 6 pm. If you leave the country, you will have to pay USD 5 "leaving
tax". The road to Siem Reap is in very bad condition, so that cars sometimes
prefer the fields instead. It takes about 10 to 12 hours. Safety is not
especially high. A place in the truck can be at THB 100. On the Thai side
of the border, you can get taxis and motos to Aranya Prathet, about 4
km down the road. There is a bus station and a train station. Buses to
Bangkok take about 5 hours and cost about THB 130 for aircon buses and
THB 75 for non-aircon buses. At least two trains leave each day, one at
6:40 am and the other at 1 pm. You can get a visa for Cambodia directly
at the border station. The border city of Pai Lin, 80 km southwest of
Battambang is now also open to foreigners. Unfortunately, it seems not
possible to get a visa at this border station. .The border crossing between
Had Lek and Koh Kong is open, with many local people crossing each day.
To cross, you'll need to travel by 'bathtub' boat, which is about USD
4 for foreigners. You can get a visa directly at the border station.
Aranyaprathet is open and legal to cross
in both directions.
It is possible to cross at Ban Had lek,
east of Trat, from where there is a boat transfer to Koh Kong and Sianoukville.
From Sianoukville to Phnom Penh there is a regular air-conditioned coach
service.
Vietnam
The only legal way to cross between Cambodia and Vietnam is at Moc Bai.
There are daily bus services between Vietnam (Saigon) and Phnom Penh.
The fare from Saigon is USD 10. If you want to go from Phnom Penh, pick
up a shared taxi from the far side of the Japanese Bridge. After the border,
you'll find plenty of cars to hire to Ho Chi Minh City. At the border
at Moc Bai, the shared taxis have to park some two or three kilometers
further along the road. If you do not want to walk, take a moto taxi.
Prices are about KHR 1000, although the drivers will try to charge you
USD 2 to 3.
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