Hi,
I am travelling through Laos and planning on crossing into Cambodia from Southern Laos, I see this is an unofficial border crossing so does this mean that I need a Cambodian visa in advance or can I buy one at the border? Any help from people with experience of this crossing would be appriciated.
thanks
dpg
1
steveatkins
Its becoming much more official. Two crossing points 1 via teh Mekong 1 via the road, a Cambodian vis is available at both, $25 plus a bit to grease the palms of greasy border guards...
2
mrnicky
There is no grease the palms money and if steve paid some he is just a mug.
The guards when ever i have been across are polite, helpful and curteous.
Visa 20usd + 1usd if you don't have a pass port photo.
If you are from a country which causes world wide harm, then there may be a surcharge.
Nic
3
elziax
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Two crossing points 1 via teh Mekong 1 via the road, a Cambodian vis is available at both<hr></blockquote>
WHOA, this is wrong advice! The Cambodian visa on arrival is only obtainable at the land-crossing and NOT on the river!!! This was the situation in Jan 06 and according to several recent threads on this forum still is!
Although #1 is right, that the crossing is very official. Personally, I crossed overland and did not have to pay any bribes - it went smooth, quick and without hassels (although the post was hillarious: a telephone-booth in the middle of a forest, next to a dirt track...).
Anyone reading this who wants to cross from Cambodia to Laos at these crossing-points: There is NO Laotian visa on arrival at either of the two! People entering Laos from Cambodia have to have their visas pre-arranged!
4
mrnicky
Your right, visa on arrival by road not water. Missed that one.
I like the big stone monolith with Laos on one side and Cambodia on teh other.
Strung Trep (or what its called) is a lovely town, don't you think?
Elziax, that snooty wimin most is madness.
5
just_bob
It is NOT an "unofficial" border crossing. Many people use it every day. Piece of cake. Visa on arrival at the land border as stated above. Bring $20 plus a few extra dollar notes for "service charge".
6
elziax
Well, to be honest, I didn't like Stung Treng that much - especially after six weeks Laos (and the last ten days on Don Det), what I remember best was how dirty everything was - rubbish everywhere! I loved Kratie, though...
And, sure, you're right about this other thread nothing but madness - I just hope, most of it is not to be taken literally... But let's not mix threads here...
7
ironjuanita
we just crossed with 6 others who did not have their visa's there.... they got the visa's on a Sunday, they paid $22 USD, and there is a $2 OT fee on the Laos side, and $2 fee on the Cambodia side. Took all of 15 minutes for those without visas.
8
just_bob
#7 Good to hear a "smooth" story like yours. Last time I went there were 2 young lads who didn't have their visas (no problem normally) but they had no US$ and wanted to pay for their visas with Kip. Plus that, they had loads of extra Kip they wanted to exchange. Long story short: They got ripped off about $24 and delayed our whole group for about an hour in the middle of nowhere. Ironically, however, the "smart" group when on ahead of us in another vehicle, only to be forced to sit and wait an extra hour in Kratie for our vehicle which was taking them to Phnom Penh. So in the end this illustrates how (1) 2 goons can mess it up for everyone and (2) why it's good to call it a day in Kratie.
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