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Parrothead

Pattaya to Sihanoukville, via car.

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Parrothead

cambodia-map.gif
Map from the CIA World Factbook - Cambodia

The Trip: We left Pattaya on the morning of the 22nd, a bit after 7:00am. We arrived at the border about 11:30am. We arrived in Sihanoukville right at 4:00pm. It was a very long, tiring trip. But, it was quite enjoyable, as I had two people who came across with me. Both have extensive knowledge of Thailand and Cambodia. Both either currently, or formerly owned businesses in Cambodia. So, it was an excellent learning experience for me as well. Something that I could have not appreciated had I flown over.

By the way, the Cambodian roads are not nearly as good as those in Thailand, with the exception of Highway 4 that goes into Sihanoukbille (a great road to travel on). The drive from Pattaya to the border, for the most part, was four lane and in good shape.


Cars: We had an extended cab truck for the first leg of the trip, from Pattaya to the border. This was nice, and quite roomy. On the second leg, from the border to Sihanoukville, we weren't as comfortable. We took a Toyota Camry. Now, that one was an interesting ride. Three adults (two big western boys, a petite western woman, plus the Cambodian driver), packages, stores, and luggage - everywhere, and I mean eve-ry-where! :D

Border Crossing From Thailand: We crossed at Koh Kong, from Thailand into Cambodia. You will pay one car to take you from your origination point in Thailand, to the border. From there, you will "clear" Thai immigration and walk across the border, into Cambodia. There are no exit fees to pay. You will be required to fill the departure card, which should have been stapled into your passport when you arrived in Thailand. You will then turn that in to the official at the counter.

Advice: Have this card filled out before your journey begins and it will save you time when processing to leave Thailand.

The official will stamp your passport with the exit stamp, take your departure card from you, and you will be on your way. Walk about 25 meters to the border, and cross over into Cambodia.

Once inside Cambodia, you will go to the Immigration office (left side of the road, and about 50 meters after crossing from the border) to secure your visa.


While there, you have the option of a tourist or business visa. Either will be your choice. (I chose the business visa (Ordinary Visa), at the advice of my travel mates.) The cost for a business visa for Cambodia is 1,500 THB. It is good for one (1) month. It is best if you just place the 1,500 THB inside your passport prior to walking up to the immigration window. That way, it will save you from having to dig through your pockets to find the correct change to pay. (After you are settled into Cambodia, you can renew / extend your visa for six months or one year. This was told to me by the immigration officer on duty.) Yes, I know I was overcharged.

You will also be required to hand the officer your application (which the young man had already filled out for me), and one (1) copy of a (recent) passport sized foto.

Advice: Make sure you start the process to extend the visa about five (5) business days prior to the expiration
date. From what I understand, Immigration will automatically begin your visa extension from the date your initial visa expires. So, you could extend your visa at any time during your first months stay.

After securing your visa stamp (a full page paper visa pasted into your passport), you will proceed to the Immigration Police window. First, you will look up at the camera (typical web cam type camera) for your image to be taken. You will then be asked to place both hands, right first, then your left, on a finger print reader.


Once the image and finger printing has been completed, the officer will hand you your approved, signed, and stamped passport back to you. You may then continue your trip into Cambodia.

I want to make a special note here. The officials on both sides of the border were very professional, courteous, helpful, and answered all questions I asked of them. They were not rude, arrogant, or condescending, like some officials have been in other (western) countries I have visited.

Motorbike Rental: Rentals can be done from many places in Sihanoukville. Average rental is $4.00 (manual shift) and $5.00 (automatic) USD / day.

Drinks: I have been told that beers at some places are .50¢ US, all day long. Other places in town are .75¢ US, during happy hour times. Most places, though, tend to be $1.00 USD per beer. Anchor seems to be quite popular here, on draft. Mixed drinks, I believe, are something like $1.50 to $3.00 at many places. I have not even seen a beach yet, but I hear the cheapest drinks will be on / near the beach. They also offer a variety of milk shakes.

Internet: A company is based here in Cambodia, and provides internet access for customers. However, it is far from cheap. Take a look at some of their packages: Ezecom

At the resort, they boast (rightfully so) about having the fastest connection in the area. They offer a 3.5 Megabit connection. Some visitors here complain about it being very slow at times. However, as much as I am online, which is probably considerably more than most people here, I have not noticed a lag in the service. So far, so good. By the way, Ezecom is the provider here, too.

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Parrothead

Local Businesses: So far, I still have not traveled around much. I have only seen one band, visited two restaurants / bars, and stayed at one resort. I wanted to start out by visiting members businesses, as I felt I had a bit of a connection with them through the forum.

The first place I stayed was at SnookyGirl's (Luna's) resort, Beach Club. If you are going to Sihanoukville, I would would certainly advise you to stay there. The food is great, the service is great, the place offers a very fast internet connection, and all rooms face the pool. They offer nice sized rooms with air-con, a pool table, a well stocked bar, a buffet breakfast from about 7:00am to 11:00am, and a generator for brownouts.

The first restaurant / bar I visited, was Charlie Harper's Bar. Tony, a Welshman, is the manager of the place. Definitely a guy to get to know. He's quite knowledgeable about Sihanoukville, is willing to sit and talk with you, and runs a great place located on a fairly busy corner, located kinda-sorta downtown.

More to follow.

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phuketrichard

few things you forgot or didn't know about when driving from Thailand to Cambodia and you want take your own car/truck

 

I have entered three times at Koh Kong, once in Pailin an once in Poi Pet

 

The thai registered car MUST be in ur name and u now need the Purple registration book ( this is merely a copy of ur Blue Thai registration book)

once u clear immigration/customs on the Cambodia side u will be stopped at the last gate , They will ask u how long you tend to remain in Cambodia an advise u that u can ONLY drive in Koh Kong Province and cant drive anywhere else.

They will take the cars registration papers that they gave u on the thai side (to export ur car) and charge u 100 baht/day ( you tell them how many days) and than give u a plastic red license plate which is to go on ur dashboard.

 

ONLY koh Kong does this and its corruption but no way around it.

Each time i said 3 days an drove all over the country and exited by a different border.

 

as to costs for visa its supposed to be $20 for 1 month tourist visa and $25 for regular visa but they up it to 1,000 baht an 1,500 baht

If u plan on entering via Koh Kong get the Evisa online for $25

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Parrothead
phuketrichard[/color]' timestamp='1338177784' post='1536']If u plan on entering via Koh Kong get the Evisa online for $25

 

Thanks for the added information. But, can you apply for a business visa online now? The last time I attempted to, it would not allow me to secure one. As I recall, the site referred me to get one at an embassy. (I could be wrong, though, as that was some time back.)

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charlieharpersbar

No, no Business Visa online only the Tourist Visa. Even when you purchase the eVisa upfront, they still ask for money at the border. It really doesn't save anything.

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Parrothead
No, no Business Visa online only the Tourist Visa. Even when you purchase the eVisa upfront, they still ask for money at the border. It really doesn't save anything.

 

Well, as far as I am concerned, as easy as helpful and nice as they were when I was entering the country, the 1,500 THB was worth it. At least they were courteous, which is more than I can say for some western countries.

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phuketrichard

why not enter via Pailin? its just as close to Pattaya and Bangkok although further if ur heading to SHV.

and the prices are $20 and $25

 

My next trip ( inn July ) will be via Veun Kham as will be travelling down from laos

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RAM8

How much to hire a driver/car from Pattaya to the border at koh kong and how much from the border to Snooky?

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Guest Kenny

They've just started a direct bus 3 times a week from Phnom Penh to Bangkok for $30

 

I've done Pataya ~ Poipet a couple of times but I can't remember how much, but not much.

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RAM8

Bus might be an interesting way to see the countryside. I guess you would stop at the border and be processed for visas etc before continuing?

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