Poipet

[[File:Poipet banner (Thai) border - (Thai) border}} Cambodia Poipet to SiemReap Roadway - All most travellers are willing to see in Poipet: the fully paved road to Siem Reap (August 2022)Poipet hosts Cambodia's main border crossing with Thailand, which links northwest Cambodia to Aranyaprathet, and hence Bangkok. Cross-border activity has made the town grow to be larger than its provincial capital, Sisophon.

Poipet is on the fully paved National Highway 5 which runs to Sisophon and then further on the south side of the Tonle Sap Lake to Battambang and Phnom Penh. At Sisophon, National Highway 6 branches off to provide a fully paved arterial route along the north of the Tonle Sap Lake|Tonle Sap to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Poipet Halal Travel Guide

Border Poipet - 650px|The border zone with tout zones highlighted

In the view of most travellers "a dump", Poipet hosts a bewildering array of agents, beggars, thieves and dodgy casinos for day tripping Thais, which all contrive to separate money from the unwary. The town has one main street that runs roughly southeast from the roundabout at the immigration offices. North of this street is an average Cambodian town; to the south is a poorer slum area. Both areas have their own markets: clean and airy and dishevelled and stinking, respectively. The latter is likely to be more interesting to an observer. For travellers staying overnight at the border, Poipet represents a cheaper option than the adjacent (Thai) town, Aranyaprathet, particularly for those heading into Cambodia (see Poipet#Get In#Outside the Transport Monopoly|below for avoiding overpriced transport).

While most travellers only pass through and the town can provide the savvy and curious with some fascinating insights into Cambodia's grisly underside. Ever a transport hub, Poipet hosts the western railhead of Cambodia's defunct, but regenerating network which once connected to the functioning (Thai) network.

Border location

The nearest (Thai) town is Aranyaprathet, about 6 kilometers from the border crossing. The border is in central Poipet. The border is open 07:00-20:00. There is no time difference between Cambodia and Thailand.

Immediately next to the (Thai) immigration facilities is Rongkleu Market, which host banks, cafes, a convenience store, money exchangers, and buses.

Travel to Poipet

From elsewhere in Cambodia

Poipet is a large town that is well connected with reasonably priced buses to various points in the nation. The three major cities of Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap (USD7.75 to Poipet/USD8 from Poipet) are each directly connected to Poipet. If you're on a bus to Poipet with a view to leaving Cambodia and the bus will stop at its company's Poipet offices first. Do not get off unnecessarily as it will likely continue as far as immigration, which will save you a walk or motorbike taxi fare.

Taxis to Poipet should be cheaper than those from Poipet, if you can keep middle men out of it. Your guesthouse may help arrange one but will inflate the price for you. A taxi from Siem Reap should be about USD70 and take about 2.5 hr.

Leaving Cambodia at this border is generally unproblematic. The porters that swarm over your luggage as soon as it's out off the bus are only trying to get a fare for carrying it to the (Thai) side. They will generally not steal from it, but it's best to keep your valuables on you. Their services (USD1) can be appreciated on a hot day if the queues are long.

From Thailand

The visa scam|

This one is common. Any tuk-tuk driver from Aranyaprathet will take you to the Cambodian Consulate first. Visas here are overpriced (1,000-1,400 Baht vs. USD20 if obtained after (Thai) immigration). Do not waste your time here: just say "have visa" loud and clear, even if you don't, and he will not persist in trying to scam you.

Even if you make it past the consulate, you're still in the visa tout zone (see map). A group of "visa officials" with fake laminated badges will have a go at sending you back to the consulate for an expensive visa. They are criminals. Ignore them and go to the (Thai) immigration office, which is to the left of the primary street.

Whatever happens, Only get a Cambodian visa once you have been stamped out of Thailand and have walked across the bridge to Cambodia.]] Rongkleu Market has buses to Bangkok's Victory Monument, Mor Chit bus station and Suvarnabhumi Airport. There are also buses from the market to other (Thai) towns, such as Nakhon Ratchasima and Chachoengsao. Such buses allow travellers to avoid Aranyaprathet town, though Aranyaprathet|Aran is better connected.

From Aranyaprathet, songthaews (pickup trucks that act as buses) run between the 7-Eleven in Rongkleu Market and the out-of-town Lotus hypermarket, passing through central Aranyaprathet|Aran on the primary street. A ride costs 15 Baht. A tuk-tuk should cost 60 Baht after haggling and a motorbike taxi should be 40 Baht after a haggle.

On the (Thai) side, entry to the (Thai) immigration facilities is to the left of the primary street which approaches the border crossing. Travellers therefore must head towards the busy Rongkleu Market for about 2 or 3 metres before seeing the queues for immigration.

When in line for (Thai) immigration, both arrivals and departures and there are vats of cool drinking water that travellers can help themselves to, if they have a bottle to fill.

Cambodian immigration

While problematic officials are increasingly less common and there are some old tricks that may be worth being aware of.}}

The visa fee is posted on a sign over the window of the visa counter. It clearly states that a tourist visa costs USD 30 (as of 11/2014). You may be asked for a higher price in Baht or for USD 30 with an additional 100 (Thai) Baht fee. If you pay, you'll likely have your visa very quickly. Insisting on paying only USD 30 may lead to being made to wait, though the visa will come. Arriving early can help, as in the late afternoon a corrupt official knows that a delay could result in missing onward transport, which makes the bribe seem more attractive. Whenever you arrive, be polite, say hello (sue-saw-day) and thank-you (awkunh) and you should find no problems.

USD 30 (+100 Baht for no photo) is all you need to pay and you will eventually be let through. Past scams have included having to pay for a SARS form or for non-production of a vaccination certificate.

Cambodian visas are available on arrival. The official building is just after the bridge, to the right of the Traditional Style Arch (see map). Tourist visas cost USD 30 and permit a stay of up to 30 days, and can be extended once only for a further 30 days, for USD 45.

Queues are longest at around midday when many buses arrive. Arriving earlier or later will let you sail through.
The paperwork is very simple. It requires no assistance, regardless of what agents may say.
Forms are available at the counter to the left of the visa window, although a "helpful" tout will likely offer you one as soon as you approach the office. Take the form and otherwise ignore the tout.
A passport photo is required for the visa. A 100 Baht fee applies if you don't have a photo.

Alternatively, you can obtain an e-Visa for USD 35, which is the same visa as the one for USD 30 but obtained online in advance. Having an e-Visa may save you time at the border (unless they have to open the "e-Visa counter" just for you and it takes even longer than just getting one on-arrival), but that's all the extra USD 5 gets you.

USD 30 tourist visas (T class) can be extended once only, for a further 30 days at cost of USD 45. Anyone wanting longer stays and multiple entries in Cambodia will need a USD 35 "ordinary" visa (E class, valid for 30 days and extendable in Cambodia). As at April 2023, a work permit and letter from employer is required to get an EB (business) extension. If you are not working you will need to apply for an EG ("looking for work") extension, or, if you are aged over 55, an ER (retirement) extension. The EG extension is a one-off, and comes in 1-, 3-, and 6-month versions, 1- and 3-month are single entry and the 6 month is multiple entry. Once you have had an EG extension you cannot extend it or reapply on a subsequent visit. Confusingly, E class visas are unrelated to the online visas. They cost USD 35 and require no extra documents or fees. Make sure the officials know that you know this.

Once you have your visa, brush off the agents and head down the street to get an entry stamp into Cambodia. The arrivals office is on the right (south) side of the street, after the last casino. Some lurkers may tell you otherwise. Compared to obtaining the visa however, clearing immigration is relatively straightforward.

Once you cross the bridge from Thailand you are already on Cambodian soil. If you choose to spend the night in the casinos or a hotel in the border zone you must get your Cambodian entry stamp first; without it you are illegally in the nation and face penalties (fines) when you are found out - probably the next day when you try to get the entry stamp after spending time in the no man's land which isn't.

To elsewhere in Cambodia

The official transport monopoly scam

One's first steps after the arrivals office lead to the Transport Monopoly Tout Zone (see map). The scam here is the dressing of overpriced transport as official policy.

Free, so-called government buses or shuttle vanes await tourists emerging from immigration. They go to an inconveniently out-of-town transportation depot: the Poipet Tourist Passenger International Terminal. They cease running at about 18:00. Food is available while one waits for an overpriced bus or shared taxi.

Only the diligent will avoid this one ([[#Outside the Transport Monopoly|see below) because police are beastly to and extort drivers that pick up tourists near the border crossing. The police and "helpful" others pester tourists emerging from arrivals and basically cajole them onto the buses. Most tourists succumb, either unaware of the scam or unwilling to go against a uniform. If such a set up irks you, remember that despite how it initially feels you have every right to do as you please in Poipet and you can smilingly, tactfully and respectfully decline to follow their instructions.

Some tourists have reported being taken to a private travel agency instead of the proper depot, under the pretense that the station "is under construction". You don't have to deal with them but the private company may be cheaper than the "officials".

Taxis

An "official" taxi to Siem Reap costs an around 2,400 Baht. The police-enforced cartel takes USD25 per taxi per trip. Negotiation is difficult but should be feasible given that a taxi outside the cartel should cost about USD70. Negotiate the price in dollars, Baht prices tend to be inflated.

There are no rules against introducing yourself to fellow travellers and sharing the ride.

Drivers who work for the cartel will generally deliver tourists to wherever they choose in Siem Reap without any problems. Though feasible tricks include being dropped in a dusty parking lot out of town or at a commission paying guesthouse, which is most of them. Simply do not pay until you are happy with the destination. Do not believe that taxis are prohibited from entering the centre of Siem Reap.

Wherever you end up, tuk-tuk drivers will be waiting. A fare within town should be USD2.50, though Siem Reap is easily covered on foot.

Bus

From the Tourist Passenger International Terminal a bus to Siem Reap costs USD14 per person and takes around three hours.

You may arrive a couple of kilometers outside central Siem Reap, where tuk-tuk drivers pay the cartel for access to arriving visitors. They recoup their money by taking tourists to commission paying accommodation, which they may offer to do very cheaply, perhaps for free. Their big money however comes from temple trips and they will implore you to hire them on for this. This is not necessarily bad but make sure you know the correct rates. If you value your independence, pay the tuk-tuk driver a fair rate (USD2 is acceptable, perhaps generous) for the trip into town, make sure you are dropped where you want to be dropped and then have nothing more to do with him. If you pay a cheaper rate for the tuk-tuk, you may feel obliged to use his services subsequently.

Train

Trains run daily from Poipet to Sisophon, and this service will be extended to Battambang by the end of May 2023, and then to Phnom Penh by the end of 2018.

Outside the Transport Monopoly

Avoid this scam by saying you want to have lunch, find a guesthouse, see Poipet, go to the post office or casino or karaoke, basically anything that isn't finding a bus. Then walk down the street and the pressure eases off away from the roundabout and you should be able to pick up a ride without being bothered.

Just don't start negotiating with a driver if a policeman is standing right next to you. It's unfortunately their job (i.e., orders from bent bosses, rather than legal duty) to intervene if a tourist tries to deal with a driver outside the monopoly. Don't be worried and the intervention will be nothing more than creaming a cut from the fare (you're not doing anything wrong remember). There are many taxi drivers in town. A taxi to Siem Reap normally costs up to USD70, but negotiate as prices may start at USD80-60. If you want to do it Khmer-style, a seat in a shared taxi will be about USD8.

Not-tourist buses depart from the bus company offices scattered along the main street a little way from immigration (see map). Their fares are outside the official monopoly so a bus to Siem Reap costs only USD8. Departures are in the morning and can generally only be made after staying overnight in Poipet. However and the taste of victory over Cambodia's institutional corruption can be sweet.

Pickup trucks can be found near the border and in the town and they run to Siem Reap and Battambang, although changing in Sisophon is likely. Seats inside/outside the truck cost 10,000/5,000 riel to Sisophon, plus roughly double that for an onward journey to either Siem Reap or Battambang.

The monopoly only affects transport from Poipet. Buses from Siem Reap to Poipet are about half the price of those from the Tourist Passenger International Terminal to Siem Reap.

Poipet's airport has no scheduled flights. However if you're travelling between Bangkok and Siem Reap, Siem Reap#By plane|flights will pass near enough over Poipet and cost about USD150.

Alternatively, have the monopoly work for you. Take the free shuttle out of town and then hitch-hike. Anyone who picks you up will expect something for their effort, nothing compared with a taxi or even bus fare though.

How to get around in Poipet

The town is relatively easily covered on foot, for those who wish to explore it. Hotels are within walking distance of customs; though on a hot day, you and your luggage may appreciate a motodop (motorbike taxi), which for 500-1,000 riel will take you to any part of Poipet. One could also be useful for escaping the transport monopoly hot zone of immediately outside immigration and finding a non-scam taxi.

There is also the free bus to the transportation depot, which is perhaps a false friend.

Spending time in Poipet involves being hassled, scammed and frustrated. Though these problems mainly fall on the post-border, bag-carrying weary. Check in, dump the bags and shower. The town then loses much of its hassle.

See and do

PoipetStation - For those who look a little closer, Poipet has some vibrancy in the slums around the old station

The town offer the usual Khmer mix of markets, stalls, coffee shops.

People with a desire to help others can find opportunities in Poipet. Any assistance or conscious effort to speak Khmer or interact with local people on their own level will be highly appreciated. A man called Trip (+855 77945100) is a friendly English speaker. He will act as a guide to Poipet and tell you some interesting stories about the area. Cost: buying him lunch and leaving a few dollars behind.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Poipet

In Rongkleu Market, just before (Thai) immigration, banks sell USD at decent rates (USD being the main currency of Cambodia). There are also ATMs dispensing Baht. For exchange and the banks don't open until 10:00, and after a weekend or holiday they may be short on USD. Do not worry, Baht can be exchanged in Cambodia without problem, some large stores even accept Baht at rates better than they do Cambodia's own toy currency and the riel.

In Poipet, just about anyone will exchange USD and Baht to riel. Look for the traders with glass cabinets full of money, it's their way of advertising. There are banks and ATMs close to the border but Canadia Bank is a little further away. ANZ charges USD8. Canadia ATMs charge a $4 service charge to nearly all ATM cards issued by foreign banking institutions - some bank cards from Europe are the only exception to this policy (June 2023).

Halal Food & Restaurants in Poipet

Cambodia Fries King - MH67+JJP, Krong Poi Pet, Cambodia - Open ⋅ Closes 9:30PM | ☎ +855 70 289 011

Best Halal Burgers and fries in Poipet (Jan 2, 2023).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Poipet

Poipet - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Poipet, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Poipet. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Poipet and its surrounding regions.

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The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Poipet. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPoipet: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Poipet.

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Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Poipet, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

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Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Poipet, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Poipet, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Poipet without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Poipet is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Poipet.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Poipet is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Poipet, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Poipet Media: info@ehalal.io

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

While many choose Aranyaprathet to spend the night, Poipet does have a reasonable selection of accommodation. For the budget conscious, it is a cheaper option.

Hotel City Poipet Clean and quite cheap. For sure the best option if obliged to sleep in Poipet. USD12 for a big air-con room with hot water shower. The restaurant next door from this hotel sells the most incredible Beef, which is cooked on the side of the street. Excellent choice for breakfast when heading off to work hard for the day.

Liv Hov Guest House Ask for Lee Hou.

Long Sen Guesthouse Closest guesthouse to the immigration offices, unfriendly owner. Air-con room USD9.

Nita Guest House near the Cambodian customs office - Clean rooms with air-con for 5-600 Baht.

Orkiday Hotel ir-con. Pretentious, no Internet.

Poipet Phnom Pich Guest House good budget option, well placed for adventuring the slum behind the station. Cheap, acceptable, with free Wi-Fi. (prices as of 10/2015)

Sophal Thavy Guesthouse Free Wi-Fi.

Viroth Hotel |the first gaudy hotel, next to the departure immigration office

Stay Safe

Like most of Southeast Asia, unprovoked violent crime is not rife. However, being foreign and out at night could be construed as sufficient provocation. During the day, one can wander through the town and its slums without fear of a beating. Being robbed more subtly via scams and pickpockets is a different matter. Any visitor should explore Poipet with the expectation of spending more than reasonable and also of losing the contents of his pockets. Wear a money belt and stand your ground if you think you are being scammed. Watch out for pickpockets and snatch thieves, including the adorable little children who swarm you and cheer at the border crossing. If you've managed to arrange a taxi away from the monopoly, don't pay up front, and do not let anybody you don't kinto the car. The small upside to the travel monopoly is that, once the exorbitant price for the taxi has been paid and they're reliable and the driver will take you anywhere you like once you've reached your destination.

Telecommunications in Poipet

On the south side of the roundabout, in front of the cluster of radio masts, is a post office. Postcards not available but it's your last chance to get a Cambodian stamp on those Angkor postcards.

News & References Poipet

Travel Next

Phnom Penh - 8 to 10 hours by bus.
Aranyaprathet in Thailand
Sisophon