Border conditions at Poipet

Same ino would be helpful I am sure for Koh Kong and the other border crossing from Thailand

Bigal 1 I agree, but the main congestion appears to be at Poipet. However some first hand information from readers who have crossed any border point in the last 24-48 hours would be helpful. Here is my latest find on the internet.

1) http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=MDQwYjFkY2I2ZTd
2) http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=ZDNkNjlmYjk4Y2R

Here is an even later one. Please go to:
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rush-border-claims-first-lives Poipet border crossing does seem like a crossing to be avoided for the time being.

sanityclause - Actually that was my point because would it be wise to head to Koh Kong or would they be faced with the same problem there and ditto for the entry points near Chanthaburi and from what you say it would make sense to head to these other crossings

Was just in Koh Kong last week. Border wasn't busy at all - low season I guess. Normally there are more foreigners and Thais crossing that border than Cambodians, based on my two crossings in both directions, so 4 crossings overall. It also takes a bit longer to enter the country than leave, especially if you are in line behind a group of travellers that need to obtain a visa-on-arrival. However, this time of year it's not an issue.

Aranyaprathet/Poipet is always quite busy. Both leaving and entering Thailand the queues can stretch for over an hour, and that's not including Thai citizens, who are now separated from foreigners (including Cambodians with passports). The Cambodian side is always quicker but can also be a bit slow at times. Apart from the mess right now with all the Cambodian returnees, although this is obviously more of a concern entering Cambodia than leaving, I wouldn't recommend that border particularly on the way back into Thailand because some nationalities will no longer be issued with a border re-entry due to a Thai immigration crackdown. Many travellers are only getting 7-days upon re-entry at that crossing if they have more than one previous overland re-entry on a recent trip. Exceptions are if you have documents for your next destination, hotel/hostel bookings or other proof of accommodation and sufficient funds. Make sure you know where you are staying prior to arrival in Thailand - not having any idea and thinking you'll fly past immigration is not going to cut it. Even just writing "Khao San Road" on the arrival form is not good enough anymore - put down a proper address even if you end up staying somewhere else. The officials there often give travelers who don't properly write down their address in Thailand a bit of a grilling.

At Hat Lek/Khlong Yai opposite Koh Kong and Chantaburi, there haven't been any reports of similar scrutiny. Plus all these 3 crossings (1 in Trat province and 2 in Chantaburi) are very quiet so you won't waste time standing in line at immigration. Most backpackers do what everyone else does and go via the main crossing at Aran/Poipet, but unless you're on either the Bangkok-Siem Reap or Bangkok-Phnom Penh direct bus, you might as well go to one of these smaller crossings. Onward transport of some sort is available on both sides at all these and other border crossings, whether it's minivans, motodops, taxis or buses. You just need to be flexible but the good news is there are fewer rip-offs unlike at Poipet.

Thanks for that Pakornlam. It is timely, well-written posts like yours that make his forum valuable. Does anyone have information about Poipet? Hotel managers in Siam Reap are pretty close to the action. What info do you have Hanno?