Introducing Aranya Prathet
The dusty border town of Aranya Prathet (aka Aran) has long been a magnet for refugees fleeing the turbulent chapters of Cambodia’s roller-coaster 20th century. Displaced Cambodians flooded into the area after the Khmer Rouge takeover of 1975 and the subsequent Vietnamese invasion of 1979. Random skirmishes between Khmer Rouge guerrillas and the Phnom Penh government continued until 1998, but now the area is safe and is the most used border crossing for trips between Thailand and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
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A crackdown on gambling in Phnom Penh has caused a glut of casinos to be built in Poipet. Most cater to Thais from Bangkok, and the contrast between visiting Thais and poor Khmers pushing rudimentary handcarts is startling.
Parts of this area are still heavily mined – do not stray from marked roads and paths.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Poipet to bkk airport + hotel
by jianjian 05 August 2011
Yes there are local buses to the airport from Aranya Prathet bus station. If you leave at 8am from Siem Reap via taxi and get to Poipet…
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RE: Border Crossing-Angor Wat Travel Companion
by jianjian 05 August 2011
Yes I would highly recommend seeing PP, it's a shame that most people go to Cambodia just to see the Angkor Wat. There is so much more…
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Re: Poipet to bkk airport + hotel
by hank0409 28 July 2011
You don't say where you are travelling to Poipet from, but lets assume it's Siem Reap. From SR you can get a bus directly to BKK, just…
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