Border Crossing : Thailand to Cambodia

9 October 2012

There are over a hundred border towns between the two countries, but while the majority is for locals, only a dozen will allow us overlanders to cross.

We chose Chong Jom (TH) – O Smach (C), 80km south of Surin. The town itself has nothing to offer beside two casinos but there is an ATM on the Thai side. Though it is mentionned in most guides than you can pay the Cambodian visa (20USD) in dollars, the custom officer refused and asked 1000THB instead, so we got scammed for 10bux each.
Procedure is as usual : stamp the Thai visa with the exit date, stamp the Carnet, stamp the passport with the Cambodian visa and stamp the Carnet again. Once again, nobody has a clue on how to proceed with the carnet so with a little explanation they happily stamp away whatever you ask them to.

First Cambodian city is Siem Reap so either bushcamp on the way (watch out for landmines) or cross early.

Fuel (diesel) costs 1.2AUD so better to refuel in Thailand one last time.