Last week I had to do a visa run, so I thought that I would go to Arunyaprathet. I hadn't been there for a few years and I noticed that there had been lots of development on the Thai side of the border but the Cambodian side is still basically the same apart from a few more casinos.

The first thing that you will notice when you arrive is lots of Cambodians crossing the border to sell goods at the Rong Gleua Market. As you approach the border crossing you will notice that the Thai's have built 2 new large buildings, one for departures and one for arrivals. Keep to the left of the road and enter the departures building. There were hundreds of Thais departing to play at the casinos and only a few foreigners in line. Hand the officer your passport and departure card and they will stamp you out.

I noticed that the fine for overstays in now 500 baht per day.



Carts lined up ready to enter Thailand.

Exit the building and walk across the bridge that crosses the river. You are now into Cambodia. I noticed that the river was literally full of rubbish, much more than I have ever seen before, it was quite an eyesore. Once you cross the bridge, cross over the road to the right hand side of the road. Watch out for 10 and 18 wheeled trucks and carts racing towards you as they leave the Thai check point. Go to the Cambodia visa office and apply for a Cambodian visa.  A simple 1 page form to fill out which you need to attach a photo to. Hand the form, your passport and 1000 baht to the officer behind the window, wait about 5 mins and you will have a visa sticker in your passport. Also ask for an arrival and departure card and fill that out.



You will see a large Khmer arch as you enter Cambodia.

You now need to continue walking up the right had side of the road for about 500m to get to Cambodian arrivals. In that short distance you will notice about 6 casinos. Enter arrivals and hand them your arrivals card and passport. Tell them that you are going back to Thailand today and they will charge you 100 baht. If your staying a few days there is no fee. They will stamp you in, then cross the road and go to departures. They will stamp you out.



One of the numerous casinos on the Cambodian side of the border.

Walk back towards Thailand keeping to the left. Once you get to Thailand arrivals ask for an arrival and departure card. Fill that out and enter the new building. Hand the officer your documents and they will issue you with a Visa On Arrival (VOA).



Thai Immigration arrivals building.



The view as you exit the arrivals building.



Rong Glua Market. Lots of clothing, shoes and kitchen ware. Very cheap. Brand new Levis for just 250 baht.

Nice report, thanks for the info.

Quote:Rong Glua Market. Lots of clothing, shoes and kitchen ware. Very cheap. Brand new Levis for just 250 baht.

I have been there before, lot's of bargins. Mainly clothing!

Quote:There were hundreds of Thais departing to play at the casinos

That's fairly normal.