The way over Koh Kong is an alternative route to the tour over Aranyaprathet/Poipet to overland between Thailand and Cambodia to travel. The border crossing is in the south of Cambodia directly on the sea. However, the traveler has to expect long journeys and some rip-offs at the border controls.
From Thailand to Cambodia
getting there
Many travelers who take this route travel direct from Bangkok, some may have a bathing vacation in Pattaya or on one of the islands (such as Ko Chang) spent. In all cases the city is Stepped the first port of call on the tour. From here you start your onward journey. A minibus takes about 80 kilometers along the coast to Hat Lek, the place right on the border with Cambodia.
The border crossing
In Hat Lek, about 12 km from the Cambodian counterpart Koh Kong away is the border crossing. As with all border locations, it is possible to obtain a Cambodian visa on arrival (Visa on arrival) to obtain. Officially, the visa costs $ US 30, but unfortunately that's just pure theory. A number of scams and traps await the unsuspecting traveler.
When leaving the bus or taxi, an excited and helpful crowd is already waiting to help the traveler. The formalities are not a major obstacle, which is why you do not have to rely on the help of locals. Nevertheless, you are usually accompanied the entire time by a number of cheerfully chatting Khmer. After getting off, the first thing you should do is take care of your luggage. Often a few helpful citizens of the world have been hacked to help with the transport. If you prefer to carry your luggage yourself or if you don't have the right change with you, you should organize your bags back.
On the left side of the path there are some offices and counters that you have to work through in sequence. The first step is to leave Thailand. It has occasionally been reported that travelers are compelled to fill out health-related issues. You should refuse to accept the slip and skip the office. In the meantime, however, this bad habit has subsided. The next step is the visa application. Very few (lucky) tourists have usually obtained a visa in advance. In addition to the visa application, a passport photo is required. Unfortunately, the corrupt officials are still making a consistent rip-off. For example, US dollars are not accepted and payment in Thai baht is required if the conversion is unfavorable. Travelers who had already spent their baht had to take the bus back to the nearest Thai ATM. The Cambodian government is trying to get a better picture of its officials. Unfortunately, this does not yet work in this remote location.
After filling out an immigration and customs form, you stop again at the immigration counter where the visa is validated and you have officially entered Cambodia. Another digital photo is taken at the counter for the database. Freshly arrived and sniffing the Cambodian air, it goes on Koh Kong. Mopeds go for around THB 80, taxis for THB 300. There is a bridge on the way, the toll (THB 11) of which the passenger has to pay. The free mopeds waiting at the border have a contract with one of the guest houses that pay them a commission. If you don't care and have not yet booked anything, you can also take advantage of one of these offers.
The onward journey
The road to Phnom Penh has now been completely expanded. In the morning minibuses start in the direction Phnom Penh. There are also buses to Sihanoukville. However, the future of the speedboat connection with the seaside resort is uncertain.
From Cambodia to Thailand
The arrival
Buses start in the morning around 08:30 Sihanoukville in the direction Koh Kongdriving to the border crossing. Taxis are a bit faster, but expect to pay around $ 100. The drive from Sihanoukvilke to the Koh Kong border crossing takes about 4 hours. (in the minibus with 2 short breaks).
The border crossing
The onward journey
You will hardly linger in Hat Lek itself. There are a few restaurants where you can treat yourself to a meal before continuing your journey. The first goal is the bigger city Stepped. It also offers accommodation, local and long-distance bus routes and even an airport served by Bangkok Airways. The onward journey to an island such as the popular "elephant island" is also popular. Ko Chang. If you start early, you can cover the distance from in one day Sihanoukville until after Ko Chang.
