Crossing Thailand to Cambodia

W

windrider

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Update ,
tried to get across at Ban Leam/Daung, NO CHANCE !!!

This is the second time in the last 3 months(visa run time) first was a Poipet and now here.

Not sure how you guys are getting across but I spoke to several immigration guys and 1 customs guy ,,(asked to get it straight from Customs as even the immigration police would not let me take the bike out of the actual crossing area) ,,
Anyway ,was told that under no circumstances would a thai registered bike be allowed to cross, even for a day, and when I asked about "special consideration" or do you have a friend that can help!!!

there was no interest ,,

So I would welcome some details or tips of how you guys are getting into Cambodia and if I need to do anything before I try again.
 
They might have one of their "periods" now. LivinLOS informed of similar problems this year. Would they not let you cross at all or were you allowed to cross but only go so far into Cambodia, like to Pailin? My usual crossings are Ban Pakkhad-Prom and Ban Khlong Luk-PoiPet. The best tip I can give you is to "miss" customs on Cambodian side, this happens kinda of easy at Ban Khlong Luk-PoiPet and Hat Lek-Cham Yeam. If you pay one of the VISA fixers sitting by the bridge at Ban Pakkhad-Prom they will follow you over to Cambodia's customs and help talk you through.
 
Seems like there's a real problem developing entering Cambodia from Thailand now. Has anyone ever been refused entry, trying to enter Cambodia from southern Laos?
 
Nightrider70 said:
The best tip I can give you is to "miss" customs on Cambodian side, this happens kinda of easy at Ban Khlong Luk-PoiPet
Click to expand...

I did exactly that and then got stopped 20kms inside the country.. They had jumped in a car and gone to chase me down (first round !!).

I just dont know what they are playing at.. Used to be simple.
 
LivinLOS said:
I did exactly that and then got stopped 20kms inside the country.. They had jumped in a car and gone to chase me down (first round !!).

I just dont know what they are playing at.. Used to be simple.
Click to expand...

Is it just Thai vehicles they are refusing entry into Cambodia?
 
Reed crossed into Cambodia yesterday (with some difficulties on a Thai registered BMW F 800 gs) & messaged me that the Osmach Thai/ Cambodia international border crossing is open to motorcycles:




11245872775_34807f7ec2_b.jpg
 
thanx for the info..any updates if is still open these days ? I was considerating crossing in Cham Yeam ,south of Trat in April ...anyone has latest info on that border please?

KTMphil said:
Reed crossed into Cambodia yesterday (with some difficulties on a Thai registered BMW F 800 gs) & messaged me that the Osmach Thai/ Cambodia international border crossing is open to motorcycles:




11245872775_34807f7ec2_b.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I was just at Ban Laem/Daung 2 weeks ago and on the same day went down to Ban Pakkard/Prom and 2 weeks earlier was at Hat Lek/Koh Kong (also known as Cham Yeam on the Cambodian side). Ban Laem/Daung does not allow any crossings in either direction by motor vehicles, irrespective of where they are registered, cars or motorcycles. While you might come across a Cambodian car or two parked at the customs area on the Thai side and vice versa on the Cambodian side, they are not allowed any further inside the country and it could be that those vehicles I saw belonged to Thai/Cambodian customs officers. Thai customs told me after I made an enquiry, as to whether I could bring across my Thai car (I was just curious as I had no plans to do so at that time besides being on red plates it was a no can do anyway) and the Thai officer told me to ask the Cambodian side. Cambodian customs told me there is no way any foreign registered vehicle can cross from Ban Laem into Cambodia, except to go to the casino - equally leaving Cambodia there after having entered there is also not an option. He told me that crossing at Ban Pakkard, only 20km away was OK though. Indeed he was right. There were plenty of Thai vehicles crossing from Ban Pakkard to Prom and even inside Pailin itself. There were also Thai vehicles near Daung but they likely entered from Ban Pakkard. Indications are that by crossing at Ban Pakkard you are allowed to drive to Pailin, but perhaps not any further (like Battambang). No idea if there is a checkpoint that checks that as I only went as far as Pailin. No idea about bikes either. Ban Had Lek/Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) is OK for cars - no idea about bikes though. At Thai customs the list of requirements is shown, which means an original blue book (for cars) or green book (for motorcycles, assuming they are permitted to cross) and a power of attorney if the vehicle is not in your name, Thai insurance (despite this not being valid in Cambodia? A little weird, but it needs to be shown) and a passport of course. I would also recommend getting a vehicle registration certificate, which is an English language translation of the registration book, even if it's not required as an official requirement, just in case. If you have a purple vehicle passport (only issued for cars), this can be brought along as well. By entering at Koh Kong, you are permitted to travel further into Cambodia despite what the officers may tell you. I wasn't told any such thing when I enquired, simply told that the entry fee is 100 Baht (although apparently it's 100 Baht per day).
 
well, I take it as it is open for cars ,why not for bikes as well *hopefully (?) thanks

blackwolf said:
I was just at Ban Laem/Daung 2 weeks ago and on the same day went down to Ban Pakkard/Prom and 2 weeks earlier was at Hat Lek/Koh Kong (also known as Cham Yeam on the Cambodian side). Ban Laem/Daung does not allow any crossings in either direction by motor vehicles, irrespective of where they are registered, cars or motorcycles. While you might come across a Cambodian car or two parked at the customs area on the Thai side and vice versa on the Cambodian side, they are not allowed any further inside the country and it could be that those vehicles I saw belonged to Thai/Cambodian customs officers. Thai customs told me after I made an enquiry, as to whether I could bring across my Thai car (I was just curious as I had no plans to do so at that time besides being on red plates it was a no can do anyway) and the Thai officer told me to ask the Cambodian side. Cambodian customs told me there is no way any foreign registered vehicle can cross from Ban Laem into Cambodia, except to go to the casino - equally leaving Cambodia there after having entered there is also not an option. He told me that crossing at Ban Pakkard, only 20km away was OK though. Indeed he was right. There were plenty of Thai vehicles crossing from Ban Pakkard to Prom and even inside Pailin itself. There were also Thai vehicles near Daung but they likely entered from Ban Pakkard. Indications are that by crossing at Ban Pakkard you are allowed to drive to Pailin, but perhaps not any further (like Battambang). No idea if there is a checkpoint that checks that as I only went as far as Pailin. No idea about bikes either. Ban Had Lek/Cham Yeam (Koh Kong) is OK for cars - no idea about bikes though. At Thai customs the list of requirements is shown, which means an original blue book (for cars) or green book (for motorcycles, assuming they are permitted to cross) and a power of attorney if the vehicle is not in your name, Thai insurance (despite this not being valid in Cambodia? A little weird, but it needs to be shown) and a passport of course. I would also recommend getting a vehicle registration certificate, which is an English language translation of the registration book, even if it's not required as an official requirement, just in case. If you have a purple vehicle passport (only issued for cars), this can be brought along as well. By entering at Koh Kong, you are permitted to travel further into Cambodia despite what the officers may tell you. I wasn't told any such thing when I enquired, simply told that the entry fee is 100 Baht (although apparently it's 100 Baht per day).
Click to expand...
 
Blackwolf mentions the need for Thai insurance. Is this the small cash register docket looking insurance or proper theft/accident insurance?
 
shezasdad said:
Blackwolf mentions the need for Thai insurance. Is this the small cash register docket looking insurance or proper theft/accident insurance?
Click to expand...

It's the third party Thai insurance which is normally a small cash register docket or a small paper from an insurance company.
 
I am going to use the O'Smach xing on 11th April - I'm escaping songkran in Chiang Mai. I have never crossed out of Thailand to another country before so I thought for my first time I would play safe. Lots to learn and read before then. I'll let you know how I go. Now I have to figure out how to put a OSM map on my Garmin without blowing it up like I have done previously. I've read several of Lonerangers threads on doing it so hopefully I have some success.
 
same here ..excaping Songkran ! i'll probably be in Sianoukville area on the 11th since the'll be throwing water already, and there is traffic on the roads so ,better a early start. you should also download Osmand application on a smartphone or tablet .Maps offline for Cambodia as well ,but not sure how detailed are.thanx Nightrider for the Garmin file i'll try that too.
PS :Keep in mind it is holiday from the 13-15th there too..hopefully less nonsense than the weeklong water splashing in TH..but i doubt:hmm

shezasdad said:
I am going to use the O'Smach xing on 11th April - I'm escaping songkran in Chiang Mai. I have never crossed out of Thailand to another country before so I thought for my first time I would play safe. Lots to learn and read before then. I'll let you know how I go. Now I have to figure out how to put a OSM map on my Garmin without blowing it up like I have done previously. I've read several of Lonerangers threads on doing it so hopefully I have some success.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks heaps Nightrider. I downloaded and transferred your map to a sd card. After a few tries I had to rename the folder from osm to garmin. Now it works. Again thanks very much for your help.
 
shezasdad said:
Thanks heaps Nightrider. I downloaded and transferred your map to a sd card. After a few tries I had to rename the folder from osm to garmin. Now it works. Again thanks very much for your help.
Click to expand...

Excellent. Garmin units can be picky when it comes to file and folder name.

If you don't like the style of my map you can download a more standard looking one from Lambertus, he covers the whole earth so a good link to have.
 
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