Aranyaprathet: Gateway to Cambodia

Aranyaprathet: Gateway to Cambodia

Many tourists and also expats will for various reasons Thailand leave every now and then.

The Thai border town of Aranyaprathet is an important gateway to Cambodia. The expat will want to cross the border because of an expiring Thai visa and many tourists will take a trip across the border to Cambodia to visit the beautiful ancient temple complex of Ankor Wat, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. A few will probably want to try their luck in Poi Pet, located on Cambodian soil, in the casinos there.

The journey there

From Thailand you can easily get to Aranyaprat from Pattaya as well as from Bangkok journey and it won't cost you. From the Ekamai bus station in Bangkok you can travel there in four hours. Personally, I prefer the big bus to the minibus, in which you are often crammed like herrings in a barrel. In addition, but that is very personal, the big bus seems a lot safer to me. Costs: 200 baht per person and for that price you are right on the border with Cambodia.

Overnight in Aranyaprathet

If you have the time, it is very pleasant not to continue traveling straight away, but to spend the night in Aranyaprathet. Although the hotels are not all of great class, the place has enough accommodation options. The best hotel on site is the Aryan Mermaid hotel, which you can book with a little bit of negotiating spirit for 950 baht, including breakfast for two. The associated restaurant is not highly recommended in terms of quality or price. Take a tuk-tuk around the corner from the hotel and have it take you to one of the restaurants in the area for about 40 baht. You eat there for less than half compared to Mermaid. In addition, it is often even cozier and the food is a class better. So it is no wonder that apart from tour groups there is little to do in the evening in the hotel, and the pianist and singer present with the best will can not improve that either.

The market

If you have the time, don't forget to visit the immense Rong Klua market located right on the border. You can pick up a lot of bargains there. Gentlemen beware; your companion will be intensely delighted by the many women's bags of well-known world brands that are offered here, fake or not, for a cheap price. You need to have some negotiating skills and a little patience to get the right price.

Visa

A visa is required for Cambodia and many people end up in a small trap here due to deception. Short and concise: a 30-day visa for Cambodia really does not cost more than 20 US Dollar. Ignore all the people who supposedly want to help you get a visa and tell them you already have it. Even the tuk-tuk driver will try to guide you to the border through a so-called 'visa office'. Even right in front of the office where the visa is issued, many people will tell you fairy tales in order to get something out of it themselves. Ignore all offers, because it is all self-explanatory if you just follow the signs and don't care about anyone. Make sure you have a passport photo, after which you will have the visa in your passport after filling out a form in a very short time. Then walk further to customs and fill in the so-called Departure and Arrival Card that are on the tables there. The coat is ready and you go through customs.

Transport to the bus station

The Cambodian authorities have fortunately also been displeased with the fraudulent cheating with taxi and bus fares. Eight kilometers from the border a bus station has arisen from where minibuses and taxis leave for Siem Reap. For transport from the border to the bus station you can use the free shuttle bus. For the two and a half hour ride by minibus you pay USD 10 per person. The taxi costs USD 48 for up to four people. During the ride you will see on the right side of the road the railway under construction that will connect Poi Pet via Battambang to Phnom Phen, from where you can continue your journey by rail to Sihanoukville, which is located by the sea. At the end of 2013, this Cambodian railway line is scheduled to be put into operation. However, a significant financial deficit is already casting its shadow ahead and it remains a big question whether the planning will come true.

To exchange money

Cambodia's currency is the Riel, but prices are quoted in US dollars everywhere. With all the good intentions of the government to manage the hassle with transport and visas, the exchange offices at the bus station are definitely not recommended. The conversion rate from US Dollar to Riel is 1:4000. And speaking of money; make sure you also have dollars for the visa. If you want to pay with the Thai Baht, they charge 800 Baht for the visa and that is very unfavorable compared to 20 dollars. They also perform the same trick at the official-looking exchange office at the bus station. Dollar and euro are apparently the same in exchange rate for them. In conclusion: make sure you have enough dollars and enjoy the many nice terraces in Siem Reap, which I sorely miss in Thailand and enjoy the food in the many excellent and atmospheric restaurants.

Back to Thailand

To return to Thailand from Siem Reap, a taxi is the easiest and fastest way. At RTR-Tours at the end of the more than famous Pub Street, next to the Irish pub Molly Marlone's , you can book a taxi for only 25 US dollars. And for that price, the taxi will arrive at your hotel at the agreed time. And to avoid any misunderstanding: the price is not per person but for the entire taxi that takes you to the border with Aranyaprathet. From there there are plenty of options to travel further to Bangkok or to Pattaya.